I have an 05 dodge ram 2500 diesel 4x4. My steering wheel suddenly won't return to the center all the way. If i'm driving and i turn it a up to a 1/3 of a turn either way, it will stay in that spot. If i'm making a turn, it will return most of the way up until it has about 1/3 of a turn left in either direction. But, if i'm not rolling and standing still, it has the resistance and will return if i turn it in each direction, but as soon as i start rolling a mph or so, it will not return. I tried adjusting the gear box, no help. I had a bad tie rod end, i replaced it at the pitman arm. My truck is lifted, and has 37" tires on it since I bought it new. The truck only has 13,000 miles on it. Is there anything else i'm missing here to check? Everything is in great shape in my front end. It's starting to look like the gear box is going to need to be changed from what i can tell....but i wanted to get some other's input. Thanks!

 

Check the caster, This is what re-centers the wheels.

 

Well from just an eyeball check, it seems fine. The truck doesn't pull or anything going down the road, i haven't hit any curbs or gone offroad for it to be off all of a sudden. It's a very odd problem, but doesn't the steering box have something to do with the steering returning to the center?

 

Do u have a steering stabilizer installed

 

Yes, and I unhooked the shocks and drove it around the block to see if they were causing it, and the problem was still there.

 

do you have 1 or 2 and wat brand are they

 

A very commen problem withe ram gear box's . If you only have 13k on it take to the dealer they will replace the steering gear. I have change lots of them for just that reason. You can ck your self first if you want . jack up the ft end both tires off the ground. disconnect the shimmy shock then see if you can turn the wheels left to right with the tires (eng not running ) you prob wont be able to move them either way. left or right .

 

There are 2 of them, i believe they are skyjacker since that's the lift kit i had the dealer put on when the truck was new, tho they are white and don't have anything written on them.

 

I will try that trick today and see. I can't take it to the dealer since my factory warranty is up since July. I bought the truck new 3 years ago. I don't drive it much obviously with only 13k miles on it! haha

So if i can't turn the wheels right or left with the motor off, then that proves it's my gear box? Turning them by the tires not the steering wheel.............

And if it's the gear box, what kind do you recommend as far as aftermarket?

 

yea u've got 2 stabilizer shocks which will stabilize those 37's ,do that trick for the gear box and see what happens,let us kno how it goes