The last time I had my truck in the shop for an alignment, they told me that I had play in the steering and it was due to a steering coupler that was worn. The reason I had an alignment was because I replaced the sway bar bushings, steering stabilizer, the track bar (luke's link actually), and end links.

Most of that helped the major looseness in the steering to brin it back to being bearable. Now I want to get rid of the rest of the play in the wheel, my next step would be to tighten the adjuster nut on the steering box, after 210,000 miles, I can suspect some play in that.

But I was curious if I should take a look at the coupler? I think it's the shaft that connect to the top of the steering box. I know how to disconnect it from there, but where is the other end disconnect?


Thanks

 

Had my steering gear box replaced at 115000. made a world of difference. Steers just as good as it did when it was new now. I had my Dodge Dealer do the work, 450.00 also replaced the pitman arm at the same time. Can't help you on the couplers but I know you'll see a big difference once it's done.

 

I may be a little late to the party here, but a dealer told me the same thing after my alignment. I had the alignment for the same reason you did I replaced a lot of stuff trying to get rid of the loose steering.
I haven't replaced the coupler. I did do a full turn on the adjust screw. My truck has 214,000 miles and I may put another 1/2 turn on it to remove the last bit of play.

BTW, my steering feels more loose turning right then it does turning left.

Also, I notice little play at the end of the pitman arm where it connects to the drag link, I plan on Luke linking that to rebuild that joint.

 

I just did my steering shaft after 216,000 miles and it was $159.00 at a Dodge dealer. It took about 1/2 hour to put it in and made all the difference in the world. Just make sure you have your steering wheel straight when you do it.

 

mines going tomorrow for the same thing. it this a problem they have that i didnt know about? mine, i have to turn the wheel like 2 in before the steering moves. I wonder what they will say.

 

So, what was the verdict from the dealer?

I have a 98 Ram 1500, 5.2, 2WD with sloppy steering. I can recall when it started: I was driving down the interstate and felt my nice tight steering give a little and from that point forward there has been about 2 inches of play in the wheel. The Haynes Manual doesn't give a troubleshoot for this, just a remove and install of the steering gear box. I'm not aware of the adjustment I've read a few referring to, any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Here is the link to adjusting the Steering gear while it's still in the truck.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm