I finally got around to installing a Rocksolid Ram Steering Fix kit into my '96 Ram. The installation was pretty straightforward. I used a brake cylinder hone to open up the ID of the new bushing a little. I did the install with the column left in place (I only removed the intermediate shaft from the column). I used a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to remove the old retainer/spring, etc.

The steering is better, but there's still some vagueness on the road that I'll have to sort out from elsewhere in the system (adjust the rack, add a lower brace, etc.). There is no slop in the travel of the wheel, now, however.

I may go back and adjust the bushing some more (sand the ID with the brake cylinder hone a little more to open it up) in order to lighten up the steering effort a little more, but that can wait for another day.

 

I wonder how you actually accessed the shaft to install this part? Maybe I have a strange truck, but there is no way I could get my hands to where this part goes much less see what I'm doing without removing either the brake booster or the entire axle from underneath. And I put on my own lift with several other mods. Not for lack of knowledge here. Just looks completely inaccessible.

 

Ramman18 - interesting. I really had no issue at all - though it is a confined work area, for sure. I accessed everything by reaching into the engine bay over the driver's side fender.

I unbolted the upper connection of the intermediate shaft and then pulled it down, out of the way and off of the steering column shaft. I then attached a vise-grip to the end of the steering column shaft and used a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut the retaining clip (which also cut into some of the spring there, too).

I used large adjustable pliers to grip and twist the plastic cup/bearing out from the steering column, then.

To tap the bushing into place, I used a small 3lb. sledge hammer and the PVC pipe included in the kit. A few small taps and it was in (I was swinging the hammer upside down, from the top of the engine bay, not from underneath.

For comparison/reference, I have the 5.2L with auto trans, 4WD, and my truck is pretty-much stock. All told, it took 45 minutes or so.

 

Maybe because I have the 5spd and the hydraulics are on the firewall, Dodge moved the booster over on mine? I'm serious, its laughable when I try to even SEE where this part could go. No way on mine.