Wandering!!
All Star
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 22
From: Connecticut
I have a 99 Dodge Ram bought new and had this problem for many years until I discovered on this forum the rock solid steering fix. I sent for the kit approximately 2 years ago and did nothing to install it until the truck was unsafe to drive. I didn't want to install it myself due to the awkward position it was in so I had my mechanic do it. He charged 3 hrs. labor which the kit said it would take. When I picked up the truck the mechanic told me I was right on in having the kit installed. The fix is like night and day. The truck tracks flawlessly down the road with no wander. In fact one of the mechanics employed at this place told me he worked at a Dodge dealership and told me this was a common problem and they would just replace the whole steering column and put in the OE part resulting in having the same problem down the road and the wandering would come back, most likely out of warranty. This is a fantastic fix and would recommend this fix before replacing parts ***** nilly. It works. Cost was about $57.00. I paid 3 hrs. labor @ $90.00 per hour to install. It was well worth it.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 109
From: Va
I have a 99 Dodge Ram bought new and had this problem for many years until I discovered on this forum the rock solid steering fix. I sent for the kit approximately 2 years ago and did nothing to install it until the truck was unsafe to drive. I didn't want to install it myself due to the awkward position it was in so I had my mechanic do it. He charged 3 hrs. labor which the kit said it would take. When I picked up the truck the mechanic told me I was right on in having the kit installed. The fix is like night and day. The truck tracks flawlessly down the road with no wander. In fact one of the mechanics employed at this place told me he worked at a Dodge dealership and told me this was a common problem and they would just replace the whole steering column and put in the OE part resulting in having the same problem down the road and the wandering would come back, most likely out of warranty. This is a fantastic fix and would recommend this fix before replacing parts ***** nilly. It works. Cost was about $57.00. I paid 3 hrs. labor @ $90.00 per hour to install. It was well worth it.
Maybe I am missing something here, but I assume this is a steering shaft repair? What is this kit you speak of?
All Star
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 752
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern Virginia
Regarding the OP, I didn't see control arm bushings mentioned. If the truck has been driven with worn front end parts, or just has quite a few miles, the bushings may be worn. Over-size tires and/or too much rim offset can contribute to that wandering feel too, and of course, so can a worn steering box.
As I'm sure you know, its better to start by checking the cheap/easy stuff first. Check the idler and pitman arms by using a crow bar or similar lever to move the center steering rod up or down, watching for up/down play at either arm. If you do decide to replace the pitman arm I've heard that removing all but one bolt from the steering box and pivoting it down makes getting the puller on much easier.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Wandering
The website for the "Rock Solid Ram Truck Steering is:
www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com
This is a steering column fix that comprises a hard solid patented pending bushing that replaces the inferior OE bushing. If you go to the website it will explain the details and a video you can watch. I highly recommend this fix.
www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com
This is a steering column fix that comprises a hard solid patented pending bushing that replaces the inferior OE bushing. If you go to the website it will explain the details and a video you can watch. I highly recommend this fix.
Champion
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 152
I had thought he meant this kit which I saw on some search I was doing a while back http://dodgeramsteeringstabilizer.com
Seems like there are several out there but they seem to be aimed at Ram trucks.
Seems like there are several out there but they seem to be aimed at Ram trucks.
Last edited by onemore94dak; Oct 18, 2016 at 10:57 AM.