2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission steering question

[tpruitt]

when your trucks are off can you all turn the steering wheel just by using the shaft. when i get under the hood and turn the shaft it has a fair amount of play in it and i can see it moving the steering wheel a fair mount. if yalls does not do it then thats why i have a wandering problem and what do i need to do to fix it. everything else under feels tight. thanks for the help



Trey

 

[scotmartin]

Crawl underneath and watch the steering arm while someone wiggles the wheel. I will bet, that you need a new steering box. Or you can put one of Darin's Steering Stabilizers on your truck also.



Scot

 

[tpruitt]

what am i looking for when i am under my truck

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Play in the Tie rod ends , track bar (If your truck is 4X4) , Steering box movement , and even a relation between the steering input shaft and steering componentry. Upper ball joints can also effect steering looseness too.

 

[tpruitt]

i don't know if this is related but when i turn i hear a popping noise or cracking noise like something is loose. the only problem is that i have to be moving so it would be hard to get under then where its moving. i was thinking it was the track bar but i can see any play on it by trying to shake it. do you think these are related or two different things to fix.



Trey

 

[jrobinson2]

Here is the TSB on checking the track bar: http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1996/02-06-96.htm

If its bad you wont need the dial indicator to see it

Sometimes these adjustments will help:http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm

The DSS also helped mine quite a bit: http://www.solidsteel.ca/

On mine the track bar is loaded when the truck is parked and wont move a bit, you need someone to rock the steering wheel to see it.

Jared