Steering wheel jerking during turn

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smurfs_of_war

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Looking for some starting points from those more knowledgable. During turns (lower speed) my steering wheel is jerking back and forth- almost pulsing. Since the 2500 has a solid front axle I am gravitating to the outside of it. Fluid is fine, etc.

Front axle ujoints?

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stoney

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Mine has done that twice I think randomly over the last four years.
No idea why or what caused it to stop.
 

4x4x4door

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Looking for some starting points from those more knowledgable. During turns (lower speed) my steering wheel is jerking back and forth- almost pulsing. Since the 2500 has a solid front axle I am gravitating to the outside of it. Fluid is fine, etc.

Front axle ujoints?

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Yep! Likely U-joints. How many miles?

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mtnrider

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Assuming it's not in 4x4, it's u-joints.

Jack the truck up and turn the wheels all the way to one side. Then spin the tires by hand. If it binds or try's to straighten itself out it's the u-joints.

.
 

4x4x4door

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80000 kms. Think I'll pop it up and crank the wheels and see if they bind when I turn them. Looks like kind of a ****** job to change them :/

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Probably not too bad if you have a press. I've done it without and it took all day.

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thomas5853

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Not sure if this is the infamous death wobble. Can't remember what causes it.

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Blindsquirrel

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80,000 km and the u joints are going bad? That sounds fast right? ~50k miles....? Did you lift the truck?
 
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smurfs_of_war

smurfs_of_war

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80,000 km and the u joints are going bad? That sounds fast right? ~50k miles....? Did you lift the truck?
Nope. Stock everything. Seems way WAY to quick to me, so I'll check them but I am beginning to wonder about a different part maybe. We'll see I guess.

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mtofell

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My 6.4 has done this intermittently since new. Every once in a while during a low speed turn it almost feels like the tires are walking sideways and the steering wheel gets a mind of its own. I've just always chalked it up to the size/weight of the truck. The behavior has remained the same through a tire change and all the suspension parts checkout okay. I'm not sure if this is the same this as being asked about or not. This happens pretty infrequently... like maybe 1-2X a month. I've also wondered if a certain parking lot surface material could be causing some binding? I guess since I'm under warrant I just wait for something to fall off the truck and then I'll know what was wrong.
 

RoadRamblerNJ

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Happens to mine too. Every once in a blue moon. I also attributed it to road surface/slipping tire sideways slightly. My truck only has 24k miles on it. All but 2 of those miles was on paved roads. My front end seems tight. Mine is 2017 CCLB 4X4 6.4.
 

mowin

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Mine has been doing this for about 3 weeks now. Only have 47k on the clock. All stock. I think it's the steering stabilizer.
 

RamCares

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My 6.4 has done this intermittently since new. Every once in a while during a low speed turn it almost feels like the tires are walking sideways and the steering wheel gets a mind of its own. I've just always chalked it up to the size/weight of the truck. The behavior has remained the same through a tire change and all the suspension parts checkout okay. I'm not sure if this is the same this as being asked about or not. This happens pretty infrequently... like maybe 1-2X a month. I've also wondered if a certain parking lot surface material could be causing some binding? I guess since I'm under warrant I just wait for something to fall off the truck and then I'll know what was wrong.

+1
Happens to mine too. Every once in a blue moon. I also attributed it to road surface/slipping tire sideways slightly. My truck only has 24k miles on it. All but 2 of those miles was on paved roads. My front end seems tight. Mine is 2017 CCLB 4X4 6.4.

Mine has been doing this for about 3 weeks now. Only have 47k on the clock. All stock. I think it's the steering stabilizer.

Hey All,

We’re sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing. We kindly suggest having your dealer inspect this concern if you have not done so already, as they will be in the best position to assist. We are also available via private message if you would like any additional assistance during that process.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist
 

RoadRamblerNJ

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Hey All,

We’re sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing. We kindly suggest having your dealer inspect this concern if you have not done so already, as they will be in the best position to assist. We are also available via private message if you would like any additional assistance during that process.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist
Thank you, Mark.
When I go for next oil change I wii mention it to them.
 

RamCares

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Thank you, Mark.
When I go for next oil change I wii mention it to them.

Hey RoadRamblerNJ,

Thank you for the heads up. Please do not hesitate to reach back out to us here should you have any additional questions or concerns. We’re always happy to help.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist
 
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smurfs_of_war

smurfs_of_war

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Popped her up on stands and checked the ujoints. They turn smooth as silk. On to the next best guess haha!

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pwjouster

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Popped her up on stands and checked the ujoints. They turn smooth as silk. On to the next best guess haha!

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is this pulsing dramatic or just slight felt in the steering wheel? Is it like .5-1inch and soft feeling instead of a mechanical jerkiness? how far are you turning?
the power steering box is just that, power steering.
when you crank the wheel and the steering box to the end of its designed radius, your feeling that flow of power/fluid, as the steering gear is trying to decide which way your going.

if you ever get a chance to drive some old tractors or heavy duty machinery with power steering, You get a good feel for how power steering might react to steering inputs.
You can steer lock to lock with a finger, but that Power steering box is doing work.

Its taking your steering input and transferring that effort into a power steering system.
When i turn all the way to either lock, and hold the wheel, but slightly loosen my grip, the power steering builds up to help me turn the opposite direction.
this feels like a pulsing in the wheel, trying to get me to turn the other direction.
 
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smurfs_of_war

smurfs_of_war

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Well I am confused as hell. When I checked the other day at full lock both ways they both turned fine with no hesitation. Just yesterday while I was pulling it into my shop to service it- it happened again, so I stopped immediately- jacked it up and checked. Sure enough. Passenger side binds and locks up and tries to jerk the wheel straight. What's weird is it just kinda disappeared then resurfaced. Scary part- I towed a camper and a deckover with our farm truck on it a combined 2000kms like that :/

She's gone into the shop since it's still warranty work. Just hope it is done by tuesday when I have to pick up my family and the camper. I suspect they'll only change one which kinda sucks. I would do both if I was already putting time into it and had it all apart anyways.

To answer your question- the jerking was VERY pronounced. 2-3 inches at a time. Felt nothing like the pulsing of the power steering.

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