Steering Gear Box Failure..........

[gsbrockman]

I recently acquired a 1991. 5 Dodge Ram D250.



Just earlier this evening, my nine year old daughter and I were out on a little drive after I performed some maintenance on both battery cable ends and battery posts (driving around primarily to re-charge the battery and keep an eye on the voltmeter gauge). The steering began sloppy, and I attributed it to wear in the steering shaft upon performing a search from yesterday. Obviously I had no intentions of it driving like my 3rd GEN.



The more I drove it, it almost felt like at times I was driving on ice... ... there seemed to be little or no steering input. A little later, after cresting a small hill on some back roads, I attempted to turn left slightly..... and absolutely nothing. The truck would steer right... ... . but would not steer left any at all unless I attempted to pull the steering wheel towards me, then it was "catchy" and intermittent at best. I pulled off the road near a home and the guy was helpful in calling my wife. I can spin the steering wheel left indefinitely without anything happening!!!!!!!!!!



I'm currently waiting on the tow truck to pick it up as I type this... .....



I *assume* the gearbox is shot... ..... fire away with experiences and suggestions.

 

[NIsaacs]

Make sure the steering shaft is turning the box and not just slipping somewhere between the steering wheel and the box.



Nick

 

[gsbrockman]

It will steer right (clockwise) but free-wheels left (counter clockwise)... . that's why I *think* it's the gearbox.

 

[gsbrockman]

Steering shafy re-build at pot joint........................

Well... ..... I tore down the lower 1/2 of the steering shaft and discovered that it needs a lower shaft rebuild at the "pot" joint.



Upon further inspection, there was only one of the two "washers" in the steering coupler... ... apparently someone had been in there once before as I discovered there was no way to install the new ones with the pin in the way. The "washers" I refer to is item #3 as pictured in the write-up :



#ad




I also found a great write up with pics here :



RamchargerCentral. Com - RamchargerCentral. Com - Articles - Dodge Steering Coupler Repair



Called good ol' Cornett Chrysler in Irvine, KY and the parts guy said he had a re-build kit on the shelf Oo. Part number 04443436AC lists for $16. 06 and my cost was $12. 35 + tax Oo.



Ninety minutes or so later it was a done deal. :-laf



Greg