Hi I drive a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, I need to know if anyone knows the size of the steering box adjustment screw.

 

i think its 4.5 mm. if not that, its 5mm
https://dodgeforum.com/m_657750/tm.htm

 

On my 1998 Dodge RAM QC Sport it is a 4.5 mm. I did this adjustment just last week and it did get rid of 95% of the steering wander. It is still not as good as it was when it was new but improved over the way it was. After the adjustment turning the wheel has a bit more resistance and doesn't turn back straight on its own quite as good as I remember it.

After looking at the service manual it is a mystery (to me anyway) what the adjustment screw does. It is called the centerline adjustment. Can anyone explain what exactly is being adjusted.? If a steering gear is worn it is hard to understand how turning that screw can make up for any wear.

 

When I adjust steering boxes, I adjust the screw all the way down until it seats, back it off 1/16th to 1/8th turn, then hold the screw precisely while tightening the lock nut. The idea is to take out all of the excess slack but still have a very minimal amount.If this minimal amountis too tight it'll bind internal partsin the box and the steering will be "notchy", usually require increased effort, and you may find yourself steering it all the time. There is usually a "sweet spot" where the amount of slack allowed with the adjuster screw provides the best compromise betweenhaving very little or no steering slop and normal feel. After the initial adjustment I usually end up doing 3-4 more very minute adjustmentsin attempt to find the sweet spot. A little too loose is always better than a little too tight, feel-wise.

I've seen pictures and drawingsof the internal parts and it's a little hard to describe but the adjuster screw seems to affect the end play on a worm gear-looking gizmo that engages anothergear with ball bearings in between them. I think the end play determines how muchslack there is between the recirculating ***** and the gear teeth.

 

Thank you all very much I'll give that a try.

 

where exacly is this screw and lock nut on the steering and how do u adjust it maybe i just mist something but i need a lil better instructions i guess cause i have a lot of slop and id like to tighten it up some...j

 

Follow your column all the way down to the steering box. lol On top of the box about center should be a locknut with a slotted screw sticking up out of it.

 

This is the most comprehensive explanation i have yet to see. Thank you because i've had this problem for some time and nothing worked now i am going to try this and i will let everyone know if it works.

 

I'm probably late but I adjusted it this afternoon and found that a 3/16 fit better than a 4.5... Just sayin...

 

Is there anything between the Adjustment screw and the steering gear box or do you put the screw right in....?