My steering wheel is starting to get some play in it. Where it will move a little bit before actually turning much. Is this the steering box going bad or the trac bar or what causes this? Thanks.

 

I'd like to know as well. I know I need an alignment, but I am starting to get some play too. Haha oh, and that wierd cluck if I turn right and hold it. Sounds like something "pops" lol

 

That sounds like the ball joints were in my Chevy. No play but it clunked if you held it to the side. Have you checked them? I don't know that the play in the steering wheel is related.

 

I had about 2" of slop in my steering. The previous owner replaced the gear box, and the intermediate shaft (reman OEM parts ugh!!), and guessing I still have the original trac-bar.

Since I got the truck, I am down to less than 1/2" of play. Both my bearings were bad, and that reduced it slightly, new tires helped also, and I know my trac-bar needs to be replaced soon. But I found the idiot never fully tightened the intermediate shaft to the gear box. About 2 full turns or so on the clamp and I lost a big amount of slop. I get a clunk from the shaft, thats common with the OEM intermediate shaft. I can't afford the upgrade borgeson shaft that will fix the clunk. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku.
Luckily my ball-joints are still good. I think if I replaced my trac-bar and shaft I think it would take care of my steering issues, but that would be another $150 for the trac-bar (NAPA Lifetime Warranty) and the shaft is $250-280. I am content now with the way it drives. Just hate the way it stops. my next project.

 

There's a few things you can do,

Read this article carefully, to make sure you're having this problem before you spend the money. I found that my '01 isn't having this particular issue, perhaps they fixed it by then?:

http://www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com/

I also found that flushing my PS pump and lines helped a bit and probably should be done if you are going to attempt the next step:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-ram-diesel-tech/111760-diy-power-steering-service.html

You can also tighten up the adjustment screw on the steering gear box. Be very careful not to over tighten it or the worm gear inside will bind and skip causing premature wear. You can get a lot of slop out with this:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen-ram-tech/87124-adjusted-steering-box-removed-play-in-steering.html

If your steering gear box is leaking, go here:

http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/steeringbox.php


Have a fun long weekend.

 

Hometheaterman:

It could be the lower column bearing assembly is getting weak.

That little spring that you see on the end of the column (above intermediate shaft u-joint) does a job of pushing up on the internal bearing (hidden just up inside column shell on manual trucks / inside column shifter tube on auto trucks).

After some years & miles, it loses tension, allowing the (hidden) lower steering column bearing to fail to support the bottom end of the inner shaft - and steering precision is lost & funny noises begin to occur.

There is a YouTube posted, where this issue is explained in more detail: http://tinyurl.com/RamFixVideo

Your observation & question, plus the next comment by PCFixerPro about his increasing play & clunking noise...

"... but I am starting to get some play too. Haha oh, and that wierd cluck if I turn right and hold it. Sounds like something "pops" lol..." (end quote)

These are classic symptoms of a bad steering column bearing. At first, you just get play, once the play increases, the clunk usually manifests itself.

This is because once the bearing wear is advanced, the column shaft flops around the column shell, hence the weird 'clunk & pop' noises.

Hope this is of help to anyone chasing down 'Issues'....

David / RamSteeringFix Guy

 

Nothing like digging up a 2 yr old post to sell your wares. I sent you a PM, please go check your inbox RamSteeringFixGuy.

 

Actually, I didn't "dig up" this old thread - a click thru link to our site popped up the thread archieved here.

When i read the posts & realized that this is clearly an issue our steering fix kit addresses & that won't be solved until the root cause is addressed - I thought a post would help enlighten others.

Yes I'm looking into becoming an "approved vendor" - if at all possible.

Isn't open dialogue that ultimately helps Ram owners solve their most difficult issues (& enjoy their ride) the overarching goal - which if sought diligently, prospers everyone ?

I was happy to learn of DodgeForum.com after being invited by members (who were also our satisfied customers) recently to come, visit & join the discussion.

I am hoping to make a positive contribution to that overarching goal.

Thank you for allowing me to explain things.

Best Regards, David
- sent from My Virgin Mobile

 

$ 60 isnt bad.