Just bought a 1990 Dodge Ram 250 van. The steering seems “loose” or with play in it. It makes me uncomfortable to drive it. My mechanic drove the van and his opinion is it operates as it should. He did not take it apart. I may have to sell as it is not something I want to drive as is. Is it worth having him take it apart to look more closely when on the surface it appears to be operating “as it should”?

 

If you don't like it, and your mechanic says 'its fine', I would try a different mechanic......

Don't need to take anything apart to inspect though. You could do it yourself, in your driveway. Have a friend sit in the drivers seat, ignition on, engine NOT running. Have your friend GENTLY rock the steering wheel back and forth. You crawl under the van, and have a look at what moves, that shouldn't, and what doesn't move, that should. (also pay attention to things moving in a direction they should not be......) Possible problem areas are the rag-joint, in the shaft between the steering column, and the gear box, the gear box itself, and anything with a joint.

 

 

You can adjust the tension in the steering by tightening the big screw on the steering box. Just loosen the lock nut and tighten the screw. Neil

 

The older box can only be adjusted on the output shaft.

Some discussion:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...-gear-box.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...ring-play.html

I have a Red Head steering box sitting here that I need to put in.