My steering is really sloppy when driving. I am constantly having to move the steering wheel left and right at least 25mph. I can handle it at 55mph but I don't like to. I'm talking about 4-5 inches to the right and then 4-5 inches to the left 8-10 inches of play.

I just had an alignment. (The play existed before and after.)
Ball joints seem tight.

When the truck is shut off, there is only about 2-2.5 inches of play in the steering wheel. If I pull the steering wheel back and forth firmly then the truck wobbles slightly (as I would expect.)

I have inspected almost everything that I can think of to inspect and only found one thing.

There is about 1/4" play on my track bar bushing (left to right when facing the truck). I am replacing that bushing tonight. I might have to weld a new piece of steel to the truck if the bolt hole is enlarged.

It doesn't seem to me that the bushing would cause this much steering play. (maybe it does?)

The truck was in a wreck 2 years ago, and the camber on the front wheels is off. A slight negative camber. However, the steering has been tight until recently.

Any ideas or tips?

2012 Ram quad cab long bed. 4x4 6.7

 

the track bar locates the front axle...guess what happens when the front axle moves that 1/4...you are all over the road. whoever did your alignment has no idea how to check suspension components on a link and coil suspension set up. go to a dodge dealer.

 

I replaced the bushings last night and that solved 90% of the problem. That 1/4" really let the truck wander. On my way home today I hit a bridge bump slanted across the road and experienced a deathwobble at about 45mph. I had to come to a complete stop before the truck stopped shaking violently.




I suspect there is a slightly loose ball joint or tie rod end that will solve the other 10%. I tried moving the tires and didn't have any luck finding anything. I'll put it on jack stands tonight and give everything a good shake to see if I can find anything else that might be off by a hair. I didn't know what death wobble was till I started googling last night. It is very aptly named.

 

Leave the truck on the ground, grab another warm body. Park the warm body in the drivers seat, turn the ignition to "Off" (not lock, not on, just one click forward, so it unlocks the steering wheel.) Have warm body gently rock the steering back and forth, while you watch what moves, and what doesn't. Then, have them REEF on the steering wheel, back and forth, and watch the ends of the track bar. ANY movement at either end pretty much requires a replacement. (but, you have bushings at both ends.... are those the ones you replaced??)

 

+1
and check the steering stabilizer.
fca now is acknowledging death wobble problems in the wranglers...revised stabilizers with new valving are available.