What's the ticket for sloppy sterring?

[GWS]

My truck seems to be developing an increasing amount of steering free play lately. Some posts point to faulty steering boxes while others talk about switching to an aftermarket sterring shaft such as the one made by Borgeson. In the latest TDR journal I read about Luke's Link, a tracking bar link that is supposed to fix the problem. What experience and advice is out there to help me decide where to start?

 

[John_P]

GWS:



I began experiencing the "sloppy steering" you speak

of at about 125,000 miles. I took my truck to Dodge

and pretty much EVERYTHING was worn out!!



I bought a Borgeson Steering Shaft, a NAPA track bar,

NAPA ball joints, Dodge upper and lower control arms,

and four (4) new shocks. The truck now feels like

new again! I probably could have gotten by with

just the steering shaft and track bar, but the other

parts REALLY looked worn if you know what I mean.



I did not realize just how loose the steering was until

all these new parts were installed!



BTW, the NAPA track bar has a lifetime warranty!



----------

John_P

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Might try this. I've done it twice in 135k & still feels like new (97 2500 2WD)

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

 

[Gray Ghost]

Took mine into the shop last Friday. Had 99,500 on OD. They replaced my worm gear in the steering box? and I paid for new pittman arm. That helped alot, but still not completely happy. I will try a few other things. Atleast I can keep it between the ditches now.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

sloppy steering

You can learn a lot by having someone gently rock the steering wheel with the truck off while you are looking under the hood and the front end. Setting the front on jack stands will let you check the ball joints and some tie rods.



Perhaps the greatest factor to keeping the steering tight is the lubing of all the suspension/steering components immediately after the truck is purchased new and then again on a regular basis.

 

[HomerDog]

I had sloppy steering at 135K. While my truck was at the dealer for another problem, I asked for an "Estimate" on the sloppy steering. They came back with a list of parts, (basically everything you can mention on the front end), as being bad and wanted $1600 to fix it. Not everything is as "bad" as the dodge dealer tells you. I've since put in a Lukes Link and performed the procedure that Dennis describes above. My steering is not perfect, but it is greatly improved. Next step is a steering shaft and then the box.....



Dave