Hey guys,

I've got a funny clunk going on in the front end that I haven't been able to narrow down.

2001 Ram 1500 QC Sport Off-Road

Got new track bar and 4 ball joints about 15k ago, and new RH ball joints again 5k ago.
I just had it to the shop to get checked out and they said everything is OK up front. I've jacked it up myself and can't find anything loose either.

There's something shifting in the front end, I can feel it in the steering column when I accelerate and brake, like once when I accelerate, and back the other way when I brake. One of the techs there used to work for the Chrysler dealer and he said there was some sort of recall on the steering column, and they replaced a bunch.

Any thoughts?

 

Probably the u-joints in the steering shaft. Mine did it, but it might have just gone away...that or I just don't notice it anymore.

 

I also have a clunk in my steering column, only mine occurs only occasionally when i turn...

 

The intermediate shaft clunk was only on 97 and older Rams...and it was just a TSB.

There are no recalls or TSBs for a steering clunk for the 98+ Rams.

Your intermediate shaft could still be worn out though.

If it is, I suggest you go with a borgenson shaft: http://www.pscmotorsports.com/produc...roducts_id=245

MUCH better than the stock shaft.

 

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll check it out further.

 

a steering column from a dealer is 1000 bucks...holy crap....any ideas on fixes guys?

 

it is also common for one of the ends of the steering shaft to come loose. I had it happen a couple of times. and it would clunk every time I hit a bump.

It is more common with truck with a Body lift.

I have also had a steering box that did it because of loose internals. annoying



anyway, just grab the steering shaft and pull up and down back and forth and you should find out where it is loose.

 

I do have some play in the intermiediate shaft...but from checking other Rams i don't think it is excessive. The play on my intermediate shaft is in the center where the two shafts slide together. I took the whole thing out and checked the joints and they all felt solid. While it was out a grabbed the shaft at the end of the steeing column and that had a little play also especially when i have it in drive. So while the shaft was out a lubed it go and put it back it.....any thoughts ?

 

grab the ends of the shft and yank. they all are a little loose in the center.

 

i have the same problem. my truck just came back from the dealership with $4000 worth of work that needs to be done. mainly because dealerships like to screw ppl over. they told me i needed a new intermediate shaft. someone on here told me the intermediate shaft was in the front axle between the axle shaft and the CAD or something? i wasnt really following. i guess i should check stuff in the steering then. any ideas on how much a new intermediate shaft is and how hard it is to change?