Strange feeling in the steering wheel ?

[Patriot Diesel]

Today I noticed that when I slow down to come to a stop, when I I apply the brakes I feel a strange kind of stutter, notchy (can't think of the right word to describe it) feeling in the steering wheel, not in the pedal, just the wheel. I have about 25000 miles on my truck.



What could this be ?

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Is it only when you brake? or when you steer too? if so, sounds like CLOCKSPRING!!. mine was causing my steering wheel to feel really wierd at times, then it finally broke.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

It is hard to say, since it just started doing it today. What is the clock spring, where is it located, and what does it do ?



Thanks !!

 

[big barney]

It's funny you should bring this up. My truck just started doing the same thing. Mine only does it when heading down hill, other wise the truck steers perfect. It doesn't feel like the brakes, it can only be felt throught the steering wheel. It is even worse when I have my boat hooked up. What do you guys think. I dread the thought of bringing to the dealer.



Thanks Curt

 

[EMDDIESEL]

The clockspring is located in your steering wheel behind the airbag. It is basically a contact ring for the air bag and steering wheel mounted radio controls. There is a huge recall on them right now, mine broke before i could get it fixed. You will know when that happens when you here a big CRUNCH then the air bag light will come on. Its a simple repair, takes about 30 minutes to do.

 

[SteveH]

Have someone twist the actual steering column under the hood while you hold onto the steering wheel. If the wheel has excessive thumping feeling or excessive play it is bad. If you hold the steering wheel itself at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position and pull toward you, first with one hand then the other you should not be able to feel very much play at all. If you feel quite a lot of movement, the column is probably bad. They have to replace both the lower column and the mid column. I have 66000 miles on my rig and have had these replaced twice so far, last time being this week. This is another of those "weak links" that Dodge knows about but will not come out with a beefed-up replacement.

This sounds more like what you may have, more so than a clock spring to me.

 

[RJ2]

If clunking is the word you are looking for ,mine was the intermediate shaft. Next time I will try a aftermarket shaft. Check out the links.

 

[tmacc]

Don't forget to ck all of the tie rod ends and track bar. I had a similar sensation in mine and it turned out to be the track bar and drag link end at the pittman arm. This was at 26k.



W/ the parking brake on, have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you touch all of the various joints in the front end. You'll know if something is loose. Sometimes, just looking at a bad tie rod end, you'll see it moving up and down. Good luck

Tom