My steering from left to right on my 96 ram 4x4 is really loose. I had a shop replace the steering gear as they said that was my problem it did help some, but the steering is still way to loose especially with winter coming on. Anyone have any ideas of what could be wrong ?

 

did they happen to check the rest of the steering components before they condemned the steering box? Track bar? Tie rod ends? Drag link? Ball joints??

 

The track bar has been replaced before.....but not sure if they checked the rest

 

Have someone sit in the drivers seat, turn the key enough to unlock the steering. Do NOT start the engine. While said person rocks the wheel back and forth GENTLY (just until they feel resistance), see what moves, and what doesn't. Anything with slop, is bad.

Then, have them REEF on the steering wheel, and check the ends of the track bar. Again, any slop is bad, and it needs to be replaced.

Another favorite spot, is right where the steering shaft comes out of the column, right below the brake booster. Grab ahold, and give it a shake, if it moves more than just a little bit..... there is a replacement bushing for the end of the column.

I have also seen folks get "new" steering gear that is more sloppy than what they are replacing, so, pay attention to that as well.

 

What HeyYou (who said that) said.

 

Also check the shaft going from the column to the gear box.. it has ujoints in it that goes bad..replaced mine.. and wow what a difference..lol.. mine didnt have any needle bearings left in it.. sloppy as a 2bit "insert word here"

 

A new pitman arm fixed my issue.

 

The bushing for the upper column is the "RAM truck steering fix". Makes a difference...