Steering Problem

[shendren]

has anyone had problems with their steering system. it feels like something is loose in my system. the linkage coming out of the firewall seems like it might have a small bit of play in it. the pitman arm rubber boot has burst from the dealer overgreasing. the steering wheel has a bit of up/down movement in it if you push hard. question: has anyone had similar problems? or has anyone had problems with their pitman arm or steering gear unit? thanks. scott.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Scott,

Yes, steering gear box known problems, steering shaft had some problems ptiman arm I don't recall to many post on it.



Try a search for steering gear boxes (units).

 

[SRehberg]

I don't know if this is the same problem you have, but my steering had a "clunking-loose" feeling in it, especially when going over rough roads, or sometimes turning. There is a TSB out regarding two fixes for this, one replacing the shaft assembly, and the other the mounting plate at the floor board. I brought it to Dodge's attention and they did both as a "goodwill" warranty, even though my original factory warranty expired. The new shaft is considerably heavier and cured the problem. The up-down movement was cured by the floor flange change out. There was a re-designed piece in this area.

Hope this helps



______________________



'96 2wd

 

[shendren]

thanks alot. where do i find the tsb? thanks. scott

 

[Bob Wagner]

bookmark this site

www.dodgeram.org



TSB's and more

 

[shendren]

well i found a list of tsb #'s and the titles. but where does one find the actual tsb? thanks. scott.

 

[SRehberg]

Scott, as the gentleman on the previous post stated, you can get them there (#'s) or at "Alldata" for a fee, or better yet, if you have the numbers, the dealer has them in the service dept.



The TSB numbers that involved my change outs were:



19-08-97 (replacement of the intermediate shaft, brake lines etc. )

19-13-97 (movement of lower steering column-replacement of lower toe plate. )



The suspect toe plate has a number on it: 52078177 and if the play with the knee blocker removed, exceeds . 079" while sitting in the drivers seat pulling up on the column, then it needs the upgrade. The new plate number is: 05012029AA



The intermediate shaft replacement will require new brake lines as the new shaft is larger and will interfer with the old ones. The TSB lists the parts and procedure.



Hope this helps, and it does make a big difference in the play.

 

[shendren]

thanks. i believe i can put in the new toe plate myself. i found the tsb's. it's the other tsb on the shaft that looks !@#tty. over 5hrs of dealer labor. plus the shaft cost. man this truck has cost me since i bought it. with little crap like this. and the dealers have not a clue what they are doing. thanks. scott.

 

[SRehberg]

Scott, glad it was of help, but give the dealer a try, if they refuse, contact the zone rep, they are usually in tune with customer good will warranties. Just show them the TSB numbers and voice your complaints with the steering. Then Dodge can fix all the things and you pick up the truck when done. They just don't recall it for the fact it doesn't jeopardize the safety of the vehicle or occupants.



I too have been amazed at the number of things that goes wrong with this truck, some that can be fatal (i. e. the dowel pin issue). If I was to do over, and knew then what I know now, it might have turned out differently; but now with this much invested, it is hard to walk away from it. Still like the truck, just the constant fixing that annoyes the heck out of me.



Good luck on your steering column!



_________________________



'96 2wd

 

[shendren]

how does one go about finding the zone rep. can i go directly to him/her or do i have to go thru the local dealer? thanks. scott.

 

[SRehberg]

Chrysler customer service can give you the information at their 800 number, or what I did, I went to the dealer who gave me the mailing address as well as phone number. It took awhile for them to respond by mail, but they did by phone; took about 2-3wks in my case. Hope you can get it done.