2013 RAM - power steering alarm activated and lost power steering

[matchek]

Ken, what is the VIN # of your 2013 RAM?

When you go to the authentic Mopar website, plug in your VIN, then search for Rack and Pinion, what results do you get please? Maybe you are getting the same results of me but you figured out another way to try a different part number. Or perhaps your VIN provided different results.

We both have 2013's but not sure the websites will yield the same results.

 

[matchek]

When I put my VIN in to authentic Mopar website, and plug in Ken's Part Number, it says it will not fit.

https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-rack-and-pinion-gear-68628858aa?c=Zz1zdGVlcmluZyZzPXN0ZWVyaW5nLWdlYXImbD0xJm49U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHMmYT1yYW0mbz0xNTAwJnk9MjAxMyZ0PWxhcmFtaWUmZT01LTdsLXY4LWdhcw%3D%3D

FYI I appreciate so much Ken's help. I am not saying what worked for him will not work for me. Just trying to see where I put my VIN in and get Ken's part number where a OEM is available.

 

[matchek]

Despite the info before, I did find something that supports Ken's part number could work for my Ram indirectly. When I try to put my VIN in and directly put in Ken's part number, Mopar says it will not fit.

However, when I go to Rock Auto, it says Dorman 601-903 is interchangable with R85733449AA AND Ken's Part Number 68628858AA.

This is the closest that I can find. Thanks Ken you are on to something. Appreciate it. What really stinks is that when you go to the Mopar sites and plug in my VIN it says it will not fit. Yet when you go to Rock Auto Part 68628858AA does not show up for 2013 Ram, but when you pull up the Dorman, the Dorman page does say that 68628858AA is an "interchange" part. And from a non-expert look, it looks the same. And guess what the price is not bad too.

So in around about way, Ken's OEM could work for mine. Too bad 68628858AA did not come up with my VIN in the first place. I could have gotten the OEM part from the get go.

This looks Rack parts thing looks like a cluster. Even my dealer doesn't know what OEM fits. Apparently they have not had this problem often even though it seems like to happen nationwise enough.

 

[Ken226]

Sorry, but I'm way to paranoid to post my vin on the internet.

We should limit discussion on this to the other thread. The one in the 4th gen forum.

In the future, noone will be looking here for it as this forum is for the 70s -early 90s trucks.

 

[matchek]

Hey Ken, that is fine that you don't want to post your VIN. Out of curiosity, would you please go to this authentic Mopar website and plug in your VIN , search for "rack and pinion", what model number comes up? When I do it for my 2013 the R- part shows up. I don't get the 6 part.

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Also you said that my original part number started with a "5". You said is "moparpartsonline". would you please post the link for the website? I don't find that as a real website. That would be so helpful if I can see that.

 

[matchek]

Okay posted a couple of questions on the other thread.

 

[brentwasham]

i think the issue you're having on the repair is rare. Had a RockAuto replacement rack installed on my 2013 ST by a local shop a couple years ago, along with the lower control arms, reprogramming and alignment and never looked back. The labor was about the dealer part mark-up, $1700. At the time the part was hard to source and dealers were charging close to $3K just for the rack, so it was a common failure. I drove it a couple months using "armstrong" power steering before receiving the rack at home, had to return the core to RockAuto, too. The next trip the infamous oil cooler on the Pentastar failed, then a fuel sensor, then the A/C started leaking refrigerant. After $4500 in 15 months on "minor" repairs I said "enough" and sold it with 96K miles on the odometer. This was an education in the complexity and expense of modern autos, now I spend the $2K+ on an extended warranty and figure its relatively cheap insurance.

 

[matchek]

It's hard to follow your response. Can you please lookup.what manufacturer or brand was the rack you bought ? Rock Auto is just a retailer.

I don't know if it is common. My dealer in a big city said that I was just the 2nd or 3rd person they know it happened to in 15 years.

In any event replacing the part should work the first time. This is such an awful headache

 

[matchek]

As an update, I contacted Stellantis in Michigan, and after much investigation, Stellantis recommended that part number 68628858AA be installed, the same part that Ken recommended. I did convey the part that Ken recommended at first, but the dealer would not install it because according to the software system, it showed it was incompatible.

So Ken was right and with the help of Ken and Stellantis, we finally go it right. This part was installed and my RAM for the first time in over 3 months finally drove beautifully. Thank you Ken and all on this thread. I really appreciate y'll. I really appreciate the folks who post on these threads. I finally got my wonderful truck back!

 

[Ol dirty ram]

Hey matchek.
Good thread I learned quite a bit as I’m about to tackle this at home on a 2010 . Where did you find the part you ended up with that worked ? Is it still holding up and driving well?

 

[Ken226]

Hey matchek.
Good thread I learned quite a bit as I’m about to tackle this at home on a 2010 . Where did you find the part you ended up with that worked ? Is it still holding up and driving well?

A 2010 doesn't have electronic power steering. 2013 was the first year with the EPS. Consider yourself fortunate.

A 2010 has a hydraulic unit, so nothing in this thread will apply.