2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering Wheel Clunk / Rattle : Solved With Column Bushing Fix !

[DBazley]

Gentlemen:



Sorry no high tech, online ordering just yet. Wanna add it to our automated, secure cart on the PermaShield site very soon. We'll call you back if your wish is to use a CC by phone and your got the voice mail, ok ?



Low tech check by mail works too, TDR ad has details or go to :



http://www.geocities.com/all6forchrist/RockSolidRamTruckFix.html



It has a guest book so you can read what other who already have it say.



On making them yourself, I already explained that - go right ahead.



I just figure that if there is a resonable profit in it, I'll carve out the time to make it happen, me and my children can eat, and others can get a fix they don't have to engineer - No hassles.



It will be enough work to put it in - not impossible, but a decent effort. Worth it though.



I like 'ShadeTree enterprises', we've got a few big enough to qualify for sure, RD.



Good to hear your 'big red' is feelin' fine there Curt - pleasure meeting you and doing your truck. Tow that boat, no clunks ! Cool..... do you find yourself having to adjust to the 'no slop' steering, like I do ?

 

[SMolteberg]

Thanks for this thread gents! I have a brand spanking new steeringcolumn on my truck with less than 6000miles on it after I was involved in a crash. I noticed a clunk last weekend on a roadtrip.

I'm not sure how it works for you guys, but in mine I don't get the clunk going straigt down the freeway. Mine is there when you go through turns on small and winding roads at higher speeds. Left or right turns doesn't matter.

Of course I have a little play in my trackbar and steeringbox and got ready to adress those, but then I got across this thread and went out to check mine anyway. To my big surprise it's got a play in the bearing, and a lot more play sideways than vertical. And this is a brand new unit!

Looks like I'm doing this bomb also. Again thanks for this upgrade, I get to love this forum more and more

 

[Jim McCarty]

My truck is the other one David "fixed" last Friday. I love the way my steering feels now. No clunk, no sloppiness, and no correcting after I enter a turn. Just pure precision. As Curt said, it was just a tiny bit stiff for the first several hundred miles, but now I'm all smiles. Thanks David! Just to help others not be afraid to drop the steering column, David had mine out and in and his father in law made the part as I watched, all in the space of 3 hours or less. This really is not as intimidating a job as it might sound. Plus the end result is AWESOME. David's price for this bomb is a steal. Thank you David (and John). Jim><>

 

[HEMI®Dart]

You da man David! GREAT work!



I don't have the column "rattle", but I have the moan/groan/squak when turning sometimes (more in hot weather) coming from the pre-load spring. If I spray it down w/ WD-40 it goes away.



I will be ordering soon.



See if you can get your fix here too. TDR member "DieselMinded" runs it.



http://www.cumminsdatabase.com/

 

[ProspectorTim]

OK, it's official: Our Steering column fix is now listed in the Classified ads. #ad


... Does anyone know if there's any way to link to the classifieds ?

Path: Classified Ads> Product Promotions> Basement Enterprises> Rock Solid Ram Steering Fix

... .

Here ya go: Path: Classified Ads> Product Promotions> Basement Enterprises> Rock Solid Ram Steering Fix

I haven't checked my steering column yet, but I bet there is one of these bushings in my future. Probably within the next month. <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

[DBazley]

Thanks Jim for your report. Glad to hear it's feeling & working awesome. (You guys should see how sweet & clean Jim's '96 2500 2wd is ..... best I've seen and Jim's a contractor, too !)



Hemi I appreciate your comments, too. I'd better get the first batch of kits out to TDR guys, then we'll see about other venues. I'm refining the instructions just now, double checking bushing fit, then kits go out thur/fri , June 22-23 to the few who ordered. We'll monitor them closely to make sure the install process & fit are top notch.



Thanks Prospector Tim, eh how did you do that ?



Thanks for the link, but is there a secret?



It didn't seem apparent to me (then again, I'm half computer illiterate, no surprise there... . )



Take Care all, David B.

 

[DBazley]

Ok, if you want to see the info on our fix, just click that link to the 'Basement Enterprises' listing (in Prospector Tim's post above).



The link above for our geocities site is no longer active, but has been relocated to a new domain name:



www.RockSolidRamTruckSteering.com



Sorry for any inconvenience... couldn't re-direct from 'old' to the new url... .



(I know just enough of this web stuff to get myself all mixed up... )



DB

 

[walexa07]

David,



Have you made up any bushings and sent them out? If not, when do you think they will go out? My credit card hasn't been charged yet. Thanks,



Waylan

 

[DBazley]

Hi Waylan, sorry for the delay. The first batch is alreay out & your kit is in the batch going out today.



Nothing is charged, until shipped out.



We've been refining the instructions, and adding pics to make the procedure simple & straightforward - it should be worth the wait.



Thanks,



David Bazley www.RockSolidRamTruckSteering.com

 

[walexa07]

Hey David,



My bushing kit was delivered this morning... ... ..... I got it put in, without removing the column. I used a stone wheel on my dremel until I got most of the way through the washer... ... . then I sharpened a long punch to a point, and wedged it between the bottom of the spring and the thin spot on the washer. I hit the punch 3 or 4 times with a hammer, and the washer broke into, allowing the spring to slide off. Then, with a long thin screwdriver, I got the bearing unit started coming out, and grabbed it with my hand and worked it the rest of the way off the shaft. Wiped the shaft clean, slid the bushing up into the column as far as I could, then used the pvc and hammer to finish seating it the full depth. I put my steering shaft back on and now I have no clunk..... I have lived with this clunk since I owned the truck as I bought it used with 95K on it. Now the front end feels great... ... ... . a little stiff right now, but I've read where others state that it will loosen up after a few miles. Thanks David... ... . just wanted to post that it can be done in the truck..... at least my truck anyway. Mine is a 98 12v 5 speed.



P. S. It took me about 1. 5 hours to do it since it was my first time to do one... ... but I believe with my experience, I could change one in 45 minutes or less now.



Waylan

 

[DBazley]

Great news, Waylan....

Waylan,



Thanks for taking the time to explain how you did the steering fix 'on truck' ! I suspected the 12 valve, manual trans trucks would be the most likely candidates to be perfomed 'on truck'.



They seem to have clearer access to the lower column end... . the ISB trucks seem to have more engine controls mounted in the way.



The instuructions must have been somewhat clear then, and you applied your own approach using them - excellent job !



Glad to hear the clunk is gone & steering is tightened up - that's the goal ! It actually take some getting used to, not having to 'saw' on the steering wheel constantly... ...



Waylan, can I ask two questions:



1) is that 'dead zone' (meaning the 'numb' area where you can turn your steering wheel a bit to either direction, with no directional response) diminished or gone totally ? *



2) was your stock bearing 'cup' that you pulled out plastic or metal ?



My '97 was plastic, one '99 was metal - same basic idea... .



Thank you for the report !



David Bazley



* On my 4x4, the steering has been helped sequentially, each upgrade bringing more precision: first, luke's link rebuilt track bar, then the Darins steering box support bracket, then the new control arms w/ poly bushings, then poly sway bar bushings, then finally our steering fix -now it's super...

 

[walexa07]

David,



To answer your questions... ... ...



1. I originally thought the dead spot was pretty much gone. The steering is so different, so I hadn't paid careful attention to the dead spot. However, over the last day or so I have noticed that the dead zone... ..... basically the range of wheel movement that renders no change in vehicle path... ..... is still fairly substantial. I believe I have steering box wear or something else that needs to be addressed. I will say that the bushing did reduce the dead spot somewhat though.



2. My bearing housing and everything was metal.



I am so happy with the clunk, pop, whatever you want to call it... ... . gone completely. Mine had even gotten to the point that if you went over a series of little bumps, say on a rough road, washboard, etc. , that the whole steering system felt like it was going to literally rattle apart... ..... all that is gone now. It feels like a new truck now. Thanks again!



Waylan

 

[JGheen]

Well, got mine in the mail on Friday and got it installed late yesterday..... with the column in the truck. It was actaully very easy to install th bushing with the column in the truck. I just cut the little retaining ring with my trusty dremel tool, man, that spring has some tension to it cuz when that ring finally let go, BAM! went the spring. I was able to remove the rubber bearing cover and ring behind it with my scribe poker. Pryed on the bearing cup a little bit and it pretty much just came right out. Mine was the metal bearing cup not the plastic one and it was pretty shot.

Cleaned everything up, greased the bushing and it went right in with no need to use the installing tool that David supplied. I was kind of worried that it slipped right in with little or no force, hopefully it won't fall out. I put a tie wrap on the shaft against the bushing for assurance that it won't fall off so we'll see what happens after a few miles.

Overall, I am very happy, my clunk is finally gone and it looks much cleaner around the steering shaft under the hood. It doesn't seem to steer any better but it wasn't steering bad before the clunk fix in the first place, just the annoying clunk. So that is my story of the clunk fix with David's home made bushing. It can be done inside the truck with a manual trans truck but not sure about the auto trucks.



Thanks David!



Joe

 

[DBazley]

Hi Joe, glad to hear of your success getting it in correctly.



The bushings are precision cut to within . 002 (thousands) of the specs of the OEM column ID's that we've measured ourselves, but that's not to say there couldn't be variations of that tolerance factor from column to column, randomly.



If the fit is that loose, let's look at putting a small set screw in, or get you a larger OD bushing. Look for a PM from me today on this, please.



Glad to hear you're clunk free - I know when we spoke it was your concern - why all this front end work, and still these irritating noises !



Congrats too on the on the truck routine. You're the second manural trans done 'on truck'.



Another fellow TDR guy, who has an '01 - Auto just emailed his account of his successful job, done 'on truck'.



You guys must be more limber than middle aged me !



David B.



www.RockSolidRamTruckSteering.com

 

[JGheen]

Yeah, it could be a bit on the small side for the OD of the bushing but it works for now so I am happy with it. I might try the set-screw but not sure if I could get a drill in there to put one in. I think the tie-wraps should hold it for now. I guess it was a good thing that I couldn't exactly just grab it and pull it back out, so that tells me it should be in there pretty good, but I am sure over time it may wear to the point where it may fall out. Only time and miles will tell.



Joe

 

[yemyak1]

Just had the bushing installed yesterday by a local mechanic for less than $150. Took him 2 hrs to do it plus replace multi-function switch. Bushing was a press in with "fingers only", so he glued it and peened (dimpled) the outside sleeve with a round punch and hammer. Both of us were impressed with detailed instructions and clear photos you supplied. He said the bearing that Dodge uses may hold up in a child's roller skate or an electric razor. Clunk is gone, steering is precise, and the truck is now a pleasure to drive. Best $34. 50 I spent in a long time. Can't really factor in labor cost because it would be the same to install the $700 column that Dodge wants you to buy.

 

[JGheen]

Bushing was a press in with "fingers only", so he glued it and peened (dimpled) the outside sleeve with a round punch and hammer. .

Mine went right in with no use of the tool as well. Glue sounds like a little better idea than my tie wrap around the shaft. Thing hasen't fallen out or casued any issues and steering is still nice and tight.



Joe

 

[DBazley]

Thank you for the report on your results - Good deal !

Hey there, Jim (YemYak1) - Glad to hear you got it installed by your mechanic. Sounds like a good hand, with fair prices.



I totally agree with his assessement, except that I dont' think the stock bearing / bushing is good enough for a childs roller skate !



Thanks for your assessement of the instructions, we were hoping they'd be clear & direct.



On the fit, we're now making them a few thousandth's larger, so the fit is tighter. Since you guys 'peened' yours (a reasonable solution... . ) it's there to stay.



If anyone else who bought a kit, found a loose fit, please contact me so we can get you a larger one, no charge.



email link here: www.RockSolidRamTruckSteering.com



JGheen, I've got yours on the way tomorrow. Please let me know about fit on this one.



Satisfaction Guaranteed. We're not happy, till you are.



Glad to hear you both are happy with the steering feel & response, as well as the 'clunk' being exorcised for good..... now you can just enjoy the truck, or move on to that 'next project'.....



Take Care, David Bazley

 

[JGheen]

Thanks David, I will look for it around the end of the week. Hopefully it will be here Friday so I can try the new one out.



Joe

 

[walexa07]

David,



When you say you replaced your steering column with a new factory one, what part number did you use? I guess what I am wanting to know is if you bought one for a later year model, or if dodge actually offers an improved one that replaces the original? If my question isn't clear let me know. Thanks.



Waylan