2012 Ram 1500 4x4. Steering wheel has a clunk under minor steering wheel movement back and forth. Have ruled out the intermediate shaft and problematic bushing. The pinion of the steering rack seems to have play in the bushing or bearing inside the housing. No leak is present around the pinion but the clunk seems to be originating from this pinion play in the rack. Any other suggestions. Anyone experience this ?

 

 

been there a couple of times. Go to a alignment shop and have them look at it. For me one time it was the rack (modular-can't rebuild it yourself) ant the other was a cracked weld.

 

Sorry about posting wrong section. ...

Has anyone tried adjusting preload on these racks ?

 

Do you hear a similar clunk on expansion joints, speed bumps, or other potholes in the road when driving?

-Rod

 

Sometimes. However Im pretty sure it is coming from the pinion on the rack. When checking intermediate shaft and u joints I can simulate the noise and feel play in the pinion when I put sideways motion on the shaft