Howdy all,
This issue has been persistent for some time but I've been dealing with moving and other issues, now that I have the time to tackle it I want a solution. From other older posts it seems that it MIGHT be the bearings in the column have gone dry; the noise can be heard inside and outside of the vehicle so I assume it isn't the actual shaft itself but the part of the shaft that goes from the steering wheel in the cab, through the firewall, and to the linkage with the intermediate shaft. From what I can tell there aren't replacement parts available for this, and some older forum posts suggest buying this part from Rock Solid Steering. Anyone have any suggestions? I'll upload a video tomorrow of the noise if that'll help. Thanks!

 

Will it make the noise with the front end jacked up, and the vehicle stationary? If so, should be able to locate exactly where it is coming from..... If it is indeed the lower bushing in the column, one member replace it with an actual bearing..... which seemed like a good idea to me.....

 

I’m gonna test it tomorrow morning, brakes are making noise after 2k miles so I gotta jack it up anyway, joy to the world lol. It mainly occurs when I’m turning any faster than a snails pace, and the sound can be heard in the cabin as well as outside. The bearing in question rests right outside of the firewall in the engine compartment correct? So if that’s bad I’d need a new linkage (or somehow finagle a new bearing on there without bearing press) from the steering gearbox to the firewall where the steering column from inside of the cab connects to it?

 

You may want to try moving the shaft coming out of the bottom of the column side to side to see if you have movement(noise). They do sell these it may be a fix it that's the issue. Unfortunately Dodge doesn't show you a exploded view of the column as it is considered one part.

 

So I got the truck jacked up and turned the wheels and didn’t hear that same noise, but I noticed a gurgling noise coming from the engine bay. I popped the hood and saw that the power steering pump reservoir was overflowing and noticed that the fill mark on the indicator tube was above the level it should be when hot. Siphoned out about 100 mL of fluid and it’s no longer gurgling. Gonna check the brakes since the truck is in the air anyway but thinking somehow the noise was actually the pump? That or the shaft doesn’t like any load on it? I’ll report back once I take it for a test drive 🫡

 

Just got back from a test drive, it’s making a little bit of noise, but nothing nearly as significant as before and only when making a left turn about a rotation and a half in. I’m wondering if I potentially damaged my pump by over running fluid for about 1000 miles or so. Any ideas?

 

Did you fill it? If not it may be sucking in air.

 

I haven't run into bearing noises from cars or trucks built in the last 40 years or so. Back in the 1940's up to the early 70's yes. That's assuming there hasn't been any front end damage. There I have heard of bearing failures due to misaligned shafts. Does the truck have an accident history?

 

It was already filled, overfilled in fact which is why I took out fluid. With the engine off, front end in the air, and turning the wheel I heard gurgling which was power steering fluid coming out of the cap on the pump reservoir.

 

According to the carfax I got when I purchased the truck, apparently not. But there was definitely some damage to the passenger side (my guess is a previous owner clipped a bollard since it’s about 36” high and there’s a slight smear of yellow paint) but there was no damage to the front and no signs of replaced parts or repair jobs.