Steering Play and Ball Joint Problem!!

ama009 · Jul 19, 2011

From what I have read, this is a common issue with the 2nd gens, but my truck has a lot of play in the steering. When I got this truck on a trade it had the driver side upper ball joint popped out, so i figured id put it back in and the guy told me it needed to be aligned. Well, after I put the ball joint back in it felt like the truck was not out of alignment. It just seems to have a lot of play. I saw that they sell a bracket on ebay that supposedly repairs that problem. Any experience with that? Does it work?

Also, 2 weeks after putting in the driver side ball joint, the passenger upper ball joint popped out too!! So, i put that one back in and checked the driver side, but it was not coming out. These ball joints are new!! So are the lower ball joints and tie rods. Could they have been installed incorrectly or the wrong ones installed? Thanks guys!!

ktm1217 · Jul 19, 2011

ama009 said:
From what I have read, this is a common issue with the 2nd gens, but my truck has a lot of play in the steering. When I got this truck on a trade it had the driver side upper ball joint popped out, so i figured id put it back in and the guy told me it needed to be aligned. Well, after I put the ball joint back in it felt like the truck was not out of alignment. It just seems to have a lot of play. I saw that they sell a bracket on ebay that supposedly repairs that problem. Any experience with that? Does it work?

Also, 2 weeks after putting in the driver side ball joint, the passenger upper ball joint popped out too!! So, i put that one back in and checked the driver side, but it was not coming out. These ball joints are new!! So are the lower ball joints and tie rods. Could they have been installed incorrectly or the wrong ones installed? Thanks guys!!

Idk anything about that Ebay part that fixes the problem. Ive seen it before but dont know anyone thats tried it, i thought about it for my truck also but Idt i really need it. If you do install it on your truck, let us know how it works! Also, in the DIY section, there is a write-up on the steering adjustment. This may help to get rid some of the play you have in yours.

wermbang · Jul 19, 2011

^^what he said with DIY section here for the steering wheel play there is also one there for a ball joint replacement (its for a 4x4 so will be a little different but may help in giving you an idea)

ramhunter9 · Jul 19, 2011

You can adjust the steering box and get 95% of the play out . The brace you are talking about is a steering box brace and they are awesome when you have huge tires , takes less stress off linkage . I have one but didnt know them made them for 1500's?

The Assassin · Jul 19, 2011

Good info guys!

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ama009 · Jul 19, 2011

Thanks A BUNCH!! guys. I will definately look in the DIY Section and try the adjustment first. If that doesn't work I will get the steering box brace. It goes for $120 online, and adds a bearing. IDK exactly how it works yet, but I will check in to it if I have to.

txbass06 · Jul 19, 2011

Post up a link to the brace and we'll be able to tell ya if it's worth the money or just someone selling another "snake oil" fix.
The steering box adjustment is cake. Took longer to gather up the tools than actually make the adjustment

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ama009 · Jul 19, 2011

Heres the link to that stabilizer

Dodge Ram Steering Gear Box Stabilizer

ktm1217 · Jul 20, 2011

ama009 said:
Heres the link to that stabilizer

Dodge Ram Steering Gear Box Stabilizer

I actually did look into this a bit a few months ago. I saw the ad for it on Craigslist which had the link to go to that same website. Id love to know if it is worth it or not. If I were you, Id do the adjustment first, then if its still bothering you, maybe get this...

ramhunter9 · Jul 20, 2011

POST 4

Yes they are worth it .. one if the best suspension parts I have bought .

SUL73NAZ · Jul 20, 2011

ama isn't your truck a 2wd? I think that part is for the 4WD's so i don't think it will work. Here is a pic of mine its from DT Pro Fab here in az. The one you posted a pic of is a single sheet of 1/4" steel. Not worth it in m opinion.

You can see in the pics that it serves both the purpose of a steering brace as intended and it drops my sway bar. Other mfg.s make them too like bd diesel and psc. Like i said I'm no expert (in 2wds) but I'm pretty sure they are for 4wd (solid axle/non ifs).

RamTech · Jul 20, 2011

Don't forget to check the track bar for slop. This is a common cause of sloppy steering in solid front axle trucks. The intermediate steering shaft is also another place to check.

ama009 · Jul 20, 2011

ramhunter9 said:
You can adjust the steering box and get 95% of the play out . The brace you are talking about is a steering box brace and they are awesome when you have huge tires , takes less stress off linkage . I have one but didnt know them made them for 1500's?

According to the site, they do fit the 1500.

ama009 · Jul 20, 2011

I am gonna call them because I think you are right. I was wondering what the bearing was for, but now that I see your pics, it makes sense. Awesome truck by the way. Thanks for the help!

EditEditEditEdit: Well, it says it right here on the web site that this one is for 2wd.

2WD (1994-2002)
1500 (94-01)
2500, 3500 (94-02)

Click to enlarge
2WD 1994-2002
$120.00

ama009 · Jul 21, 2011

I am going to do the adjustment tonight and see how much that helps. I hope that does it. I will post how it works.

Bigtman07 · Jul 21, 2011

Keep us posted

ama009 · Jul 22, 2011

Well, i did the steering adjustment last night and it improved the steering almost 100%!! It still has a tiny bit of play, buy l figured it would be better that way than the steering get harder, so im happy!! The adjustment was a breeZe especially with the great instructions from the DIY section!! Awesome!! Thanks guys!!

ama009 · Jul 27, 2011

Well, after driving it this morning, the steering has the play in it again and it is almost back to how it was before. How can that happen? why would it be tight when I adjusted it and now it is almost the same again. I guess I will try to adjust it again and see what happens. If not, I'll have to get that stabilizer because, honestly that play is driving me crazy.

ama009 · Jul 27, 2011

RamTech said:
Don't forget to check the track bar for slop. This is a common cause of sloppy steering in solid front axle trucks. The intermediate steering shaft is also another place to check.

How do I adjust these? Or can I?

Bigtman07 · Jul 27, 2011

Did you remember to tighten the nut down after adjusting the bolt??? the track bar is the long bar that goes across from wheel to wheel.

Steering Play and Ball Joint Problem!!

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