Anyone know how to disassemble the steering wheel on a '98+ Ram to get to the clock spring? I've got a wicked squeak coming from the steering wheel and it's driving me insane. I'm betting it's that spring as it sounds like a squeak a rotating spring would make.

Thanks in advance!

 

I don't think you need to remove the steering wheel to remove the clockspring. It's located behind the turn signal switch. You should be able to get to it by taking the shroud off the steering column. I also doubt that is the source of your squeak.

EDIT: I take it back, you do have to remove the wheel and airbag to get the clockspring out.

 

Look in the FSM. Duh!

 

The squeak I am hearing is seemingly located directly behind the center of the steering wheel. It squeaks primarily when driving over bumps with the wheel straight or up to 3/4 of a turn in either direction. Even the slight shutter of the engine idling at a stop causes the squeak. It's very loud and can be heard over music, talking highway noise, etc. It does not matter whether or not I'm touching the wheel or if I put pressure on the wheel in any direction. The reason I believe it to be a spring is because the squeak "tightens up" as I turn the wheel farther in either direction and stops completely when I turn the wheel passed 3/4 of a turn in either direction.

It is seriously driving me insane because I can hear it no matter what I do. I really need to fix this because it makes me not want to drive my truck.

 

Don't have one. Got a link?

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...tmas-guys.html


If you have a minute, open your hood and grab the column where it comes out of the firewall, and see if it has any play. And when you hold of the steering wheel can you pull it in and out?

 

with a motorcycle helmet on to protect your dome in case the bag pops up to say hello.

 

Don't go tearing into it without the manual and disconnecting the neg, battery cable.

 

Hey, thanks!

I've checked the column and it's tight. The shaft does move in and out of the column smoothly and without noise when it is disconnected from the steering gear (I disconnected it a shile back to adjust the thrust washer). The noise is literally coming from the wheel. I have gotten down on the floor and listened for the noise in case it is coming from the shaft and "traveling" up the column, but it's not. The squeak cannot be heard under the hood, under the dash, or even under the column covers directly behind the wheel. It's literally coming from the wheel itself.

I'm going to check out that manual and, I'll be disconnecting the battery before disessembling the wheel. Bag can't deply without power....I hope.

 

I do have a full face helmet.....