1999 Ram 1500 Steering Problem
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
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From:
1999 Ram 1500 Steering Problem
Hello,
My wife has a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 and when you step on the gas from a stop, the steering has a weird feel. It feels like something is loose and
ratcheting and expanding.
When you come to a stop it feels the same as if something is ratcheting and colapsing.
We have had this to several places to look at, but everyone says everything in the suspension is tight.
Does anyone have any ideas what to look for?
Thanks in advance
David Rider
My wife has a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 and when you step on the gas from a stop, the steering has a weird feel. It feels like something is loose and
ratcheting and expanding.
When you come to a stop it feels the same as if something is ratcheting and colapsing.
We have had this to several places to look at, but everyone says everything in the suspension is tight.
Does anyone have any ideas what to look for?
Thanks in advance
David Rider
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 1999 Ram 1500 Steering Problem
SOUNDS LIKE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT . IT IS THE ONE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE STEERING BOX. GRAB IT AND SEE IF YOU CAN MOVED IT AROUND ANY. MY 01 DID THE SAME THING. IT WEARS ENOUGH TO FLOP AROUND INSIDE OF ITSELF. YOU CAN HAVE YOUR WIFE SET IN THE TRUCK AND HOLD THE WHEEL AND BOUNCE THE FRONT END AND SEE IF SHE CAN FEEL IT.
Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,325
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From:
RE: 1999 Ram 1500 Steering Problem
Could be a worn steering gear, a worn/loose pitman arm. Make sure the steering gear bolts are torqued properly. There should be three. And you said all the suspension was tight.
The only other thing I can suggest, cause it happened to me, it to make sure your LOWER control arms do not have bad alignment bolts. The bolts have lobes on each side. One lobe is welded to the bolt, the other lobe ( at the nut end) is a shaped fit that slips on. They wear out, and now you have some axle slop. You would have to be pretty strong in the arms to move it arond by hand. Even the alignment guy may miss it. But in reality he should catch it because it would be impossible to set and retain the proper caster. If you have to replace them, have a guy tac weld the lobe to the bolt. NOT THE NUT!!!.lol.
Ever been in a front end accident? Even a slight collision could break the steer gear. Check the power steering fluid for metal filings. I am pretty sure you have a Saginaw series, ps pump. There's a magnet inside so you'll have to swipe a finger inside the reservoir and take a "pap smear" from it to check for filings...lol.
Good luck.
The only other thing I can suggest, cause it happened to me, it to make sure your LOWER control arms do not have bad alignment bolts. The bolts have lobes on each side. One lobe is welded to the bolt, the other lobe ( at the nut end) is a shaped fit that slips on. They wear out, and now you have some axle slop. You would have to be pretty strong in the arms to move it arond by hand. Even the alignment guy may miss it. But in reality he should catch it because it would be impossible to set and retain the proper caster. If you have to replace them, have a guy tac weld the lobe to the bolt. NOT THE NUT!!!.lol.
Ever been in a front end accident? Even a slight collision could break the steer gear. Check the power steering fluid for metal filings. I am pretty sure you have a Saginaw series, ps pump. There's a magnet inside so you'll have to swipe a finger inside the reservoir and take a "pap smear" from it to check for filings...lol.
Good luck.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,811
Likes: 3
From: Bett-neee
RE: 1999 Ram 1500 Steering Problem
ORIGINAL: DieselDemon
There's a magnet inside so you'll have to swipe a finger inside the reservoir and take a "pap smear" from it to check for filings...lol.
Good luck.
There's a magnet inside so you'll have to swipe a finger inside the reservoir and take a "pap smear" from it to check for filings...lol.
Good luck.
are your tie rod ends good? do they have play or loose?