06 Mega 5.7 Hemi
I have a rattle that I can feel and hear in my steering column. I can even feel it in the pedals. It really makes it feel that an otherwise tight truck is rattling apart. I have checked the shaft and the joints, and they seem tight. The problem, I believe, is the splined shaft on the steering box itself. It seems to have a bit of play. My last Ram did this as well (2000 1500). Has anyone else experienced this, and is there a fix, or do I have to replace the whole box?

 

2wd or 4wd? How many miles? Have you check the BJs and tie rods?

 

4 wheel drive, ball joints and tie rods are all good. U-joints as well. Almost 100k miles.
Rattle started at about 80k. Unit bearings and U-joints were replaced around 75k. This is not related to front suspension. It is a slight rattle that can be felt and also heard in the steering column, and also the brake/gas pedals. I do believe it is originating from the steering box.

 

Yeah but this about this, what does the brake pedal and steering wheel have in common?

 

Both come in contact with the firewall.

 

They also both have contact with the front end components

 

Okay, point taken. This is a localized rattle. Meaning it is actually felt in the steering column and pedals. It can also be heard from firewall area. I am quite familiar with suspension issues. When you traverse bumps, you can usually feel it in the floor as well as hear it coming from the front end, as it is mostly transferred thru the frame. As I said, my suspension components are all either replaced or in good shape. Last point as I am getting frustrated with explaining myself!!
When I hold the steering shaft near the steering box, I am able to move it back and forth slightly. The splined shaft coming out of the steering box has slight play. My question AGAIN, is there anyway to tighten the lash on the input shaft on the steering box, or do I need a new unit?? I am sorry for the sarcasm, but this was my original question. I know where the noise is coming from, just looking for a answer.

 

My 03 Hemi has this same problem and it's driving me absolutely insane. I sweet something is rattling loose but being able to feel the rattle in the gas pedal confuses me too

 

There is nut with a screwdriver slot bolt sticking through it loosen the nut turn the slot no more than 1/2 turn hold it and tighten the nut see if that fixes it.. if not do not keep tightening the bolt it WILL bust the steering box. I have went as far as 1 full turn without breaking a box but usually at that point you need a box. Is it really the clamp at the end of the column that attaches to the box that is popping or the box. Also check the little ujoints in the column they where bad in a buddies.. Also there is a problem with some of the columns bearings. Hope this helps, they are just some of the things I have run into with steering columns..

 

I'm hesitant to believe that these u-joints could be the culprit....I doubt that slack in those joints would be felt in the gas/brake pedals. I checked mine and they seem solid.

Where is the steering box located at? I'm not very familiar with the ins and outs of this truck yet.

EDIT: I found the culprit. The intermediate shaft in many Dodge trucks is known to cause not only this rattle but also "steering wander" which I also experience often. The best way to fix this problem is to buy a Borgeson intermediate shaft. Replacing the factory shaft with another factory/OEM shaft is only a temporary fix.

http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/catalo...-p-1-c-33.html