Well, I'm asking for any help from those who still have steering in their truck. I have owned this Ram since 2001 and it used to steer perfectly so I know how it should be. It all began in 2006 when I had a new track bar installed and it started wandering terribly ever since with play in the wheel. Here is what I've done:

Thuren 0-3" track bar: NO IMPROVEMENT but still tight since 2008

Spohn steering box stabilizer: installed in 2011, NO IMPROVEMENT

HD steering: Moog 1999 1-ton tie rods installed two months ago, NO IMPROVEMENT

Alignment: done one month ago at Les Schwab and the tech sees a lot of these trucks. He recommended adding a little caster= Slight toe in and +4.1/4.3 caster, SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT

Redhead Steering gear: picked it up myself at their shop in Auburn, SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT in play and doesn't wander as much but still won't return to center and requires two hands when turning. Plus now the steering column at the firewall squeaks?!?

Reman Napa pump: Installed last weekend with new fluid and proper bleeding procedure, NO IMPROVEMENT

The truck still needs two hands to turn as it doesn't want to leave center or return to center. The wheel squeaks terribly at the column and the new pump didn't help at all with power assist. I removed the shock stabilizer but it didn't help.

I'm at my wit's end. I've done it all. Is there no hope for my steering?

 

How is your (gas shock style) steering stabilizer?


Done any reading on the rock solid ram steering fix?

 

Wonder if the box was adjusted to tight over center......

 

Something seems wrong with the new steering box. Have you replaced ball joints and axle shaft u-joints? Take the drag link off to see if the hard steering is the new box or out in the linkage or axle.

 

My truck had a bad squeak at the column when turning and a ton of slop in the wheel. I put in the rock solid steering lower column bushing. No more squeak and it greatly improved the slop in the wheel. I still have a little slop but its in the gearbox.

 

raise the front end, grab the tire and move it through it range stop to stop. Does it move smoothly through it range?

 

Hey You is the winner again! Well, partially. . . here's the update:


Called Redhead last Friday and they figured it still had air in it and suggested another bleeding. I did their procedure again and no change.

So yesterday I went down there to Auburn to return the core and have them look at it. They were super nice. Let me drive into the factory where hundreds upon hundreds of boxes were lying around in various stages of rebuilding. The tech was great and actually crawled under the truck with me. Found lots of little things:

-box was too tight
-brand new Moog tie rods are shot
-play in intermediate shaft u-joint
-squeak was coming from input seal
-pitman arm wasn't fully seated
-too much caster

He adjusted the box and lubed the seal which made all the difference in the world. No more squeak and it moves more freely, not great but better. I'll have to take off the DSS to crank on the pitman nut some more.

What concerns me most is the new linkage which is not supposed to allow toe movement as it cycled. We could all see at least half an inch toe movement when the tie rods were cycled up and down. So I'll have to deal with that. And I'll take some caster back out. Probably never fix the shaft u-joint. We'll see.

But basically I was right. There is no hope. You can do all the proper repairs, buy the perfect parts, read all the research, and it still won't be right. Guess it's time to start thinking about putting her down. Breaks my heart to think about it, but like my Mom told me, "it's like a hip replacement on an 83-year old woman."

Oh, and my 6-month old clutch is squeaking now. . . .

 

You can replace the intermediate shaft with a Borgeson unit. That will take care of the u-joint issue.

 

Could you elaborate more on what Red Head did for their box? I installed one a few weeks ago in my 96 1500 4WD and have a squeak now at the firewall. Replaced everything from hubs to ball joints to all components in the steering. Made a world of difference, just have that annoying squeal behind the dash.

 

Squeak at the firewall is likely the lower bushing in the column. Check out the Rock Solid Ram Steering Fix. It is supposed to deal with that as well. (and stabilize the bottom of the steering shaft a bit better too.....)