Steering wheel has too much play...

[Chipstien]

I was in the same boat as many ram owners with regards to the steering wandering. Thought I would just have to wait till I get some cash and start changing steering parts. Then tonight I decided that I would tighten the adjusting screw on the top of the steering box because I had nothing to lose. Turned it in about 1/2 turn and took it for a test drive. Well, for the 15 mins. that I had it out it seems to be solved. Truck is more responsive and hardly takes and correction at all. I will be doing considerable driving tommorrow and will find out for sure but as of right now it looks promising.

I guess my ? is this... . those that have wandering probs have you tried this. Are there drawbacks... . or am I experiencing a different type of wandering than is normally discussed here and therefore easily fixed. It only took 5 min. to adjust and so far looks good. What are symptoms of the wandering that you are having. Mine was just that I had to correct the steering excessively to keep it in a lane and then it would still look like I was drunk off my a$$. Any feedback is appreciated and thanks ahead of time.

 

[Alan Reagan]

What you adjusted was the over center adjustment. If there is too much play, you would normally adjust the bearing preload on the back side of the steering gear. The following TSB will tell you the adjustments for the steering gear.



http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/1997/19-10-97/19_10_97.htm

 

[Lynn_Schwartz]

What I did.

Chipstien - Reach down and grab ahold of the OEM Steering shaft assembly between the steering column end and the steering box. give it a twist and a little pull and check for any play. Mine was about 5 or 6 thousandths of play and driving was a pain in the wind and tire ruts. Had a great deal of wander. If you find play it is probably ready for replacement. I used Borgnson Universal and there is now no play. I haven't driven it yet as I have some screw tightening to do. Look for the recent thread here for "Steering shaft assembly installation" I got some very good advice from Bill R and Mike. Good Luck. Regards, Lynn

 

[juicedcummins]

I 've had the wander prob since new on this 99.

Today I did the TSB myself on the steering box and it made a real improvment on my truck.

Monday I put in a new trackbar and tie rods and it did nothing for the wander but this did.

I had a member E-mail me simular specs last night before I came across the tsb and they were both right.

This is the best this truck has steered since new and I'm not done yet. I will be putting in the upper ball joint eccentrics next week.

Your results will vary.

The front end shop said on monday that my box was fine.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Juicedcummins, I did it on my 98 and I agree, that truck drove great afterwards. The preload wasn't even hand tight. I'm about to do it to my '01. It doesn't take long and it is definitely worth checking during maintenance.

 

[JLinder]

Did the preload adjustment yesterday,

and it is better. When I grabbed the steering shaft at the steering gear end and wiggled I got some side to side movement. After adjustment, still there. Granted there is not very much, just enough movement that you can tell. Is that normal?

 

[TBarrett]

Play too

My 01 has some in it too. It is on the input side of the box. all the steering parts are fine. Is this what youre ajusting out or in. Should I take in for a warrenty problem?

 

[Alan Reagan]

TBarret, The preload is done on the bearing on the input side of the box. Look at the link I posted above and it tells you exactly how to do it. I don't like messing around with the overcenter adjustment because it can make steering very erratic and jerky if you get it too tight. Also, I found that backing off the preload about 3mm versus 5mm gives more uniform steering without much play in the wheel. You need some play in the wheel to avoid oversteering but too much makes it wander.