Shake in steering

[tdouty]

My 2015 Ram 2500 has started to have a steering shake and I don't know what is causing it. My tires are rotated regularly and they are not cupped and this isn't a tire balance issue. It happens on turns and is fine when it is straight. It feels like the truck is in 4 wheel drive when going around parking lot turns slowly. The steering wheel will go back and forth during the turn and when straightening back out to center. Going around high speed on and off ramps on turns, the steering wheel shakes very badly. Lugs are all tight. I have checked to make sure it isn't in 4 wheel drive and that isn't the problem. I have not yet checked the power steering fluid, but I don't see any leaks anywhere on the driveway so it can't be leaking fluid and I don't hear anything when this happens.

 

[Aces and 8s]

Check for worn bushings

 

[22hemi13]

Lift? Stock rims? Stock tires? Off-roading? Well I’d check the drag link and make sure it’s tight since there’s a recall....I doubt that’s it but ya never know. Jack one wheel up at a time and check for play. Hubs, ball joints something bent.

 

[tdouty]

Looking around more, I found this thread on this forum site. This sounds exactly like my problem. Has anyone else had to replace U joints by 55,000 miles?

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/steering-issues.142215/

 

[22hemi13]

My 2014 has had a front hub replaced. No U joints though. 118k

 

[MarshRam]

Could it be that nut on the steering column coming loose. There is a recall out there for it. My buddy recently bought a 2017 2500 and sure enough he found that nut was loosining. The last I heard they are going cheap on this fix and are welding the nut in as a solution.

 

[hotrod45]

The description of the steering wheel going back and forth seems to indicate that the front end is "walking," that is, steering with one wheel and then the other, back and forth. My first look would be for something bent and probably involving toe-in.

 

[tdouty]

I'll check these things. I'm not seeing any sort of strange wear on the tires so I don't expect an alignment issue and something bent shouldn't be the case. It's used to go back and forth to work and occasional towing of a 30' trailer ... no off-roading or anything like that. It's going to the dealership next week for the state inspection (free for life so I'll use this until they start trying to find things and want to charge me $100/hour) and I mentioned this problem. They said if it is U joints, it will be covered under the drive train warranty. Oh, today I found this Youtube video where he is changing U joints because of what sounds like the same symptoms:

 

[tdouty]

Just found this: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/another-bad-front-axle-u-joint-anyone-else.159360/

I'm pretty well convinced at this point the axle U-joint is the problem because the person at the link above describes it the same way I'm having it happen. It just sort of feels like it is in 4wd on turns.

I think I'll request that they put U-joints in it that have grease fittings because if they went bad at 55,000 miles, it's going to happen again and next time it won't be under warranty.

 

[22hemi13]

Just found this: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/another-bad-front-axle-u-joint-anyone-else.159360/

I'm pretty well convinced at this point the axle U-joint is the problem because the person at the link above describes it the same way I'm having it happen. It just sort of feels like it is in 4wd on turns.

I think I'll request that they put U-joints in it that have grease fittings because if they went bad at 55,000 miles, it's going to happen again and next time it won't be under warranty.

You won’t get a dealer to put anything in except oem of it’s under warranty and they’re paying.

 

[tdouty]

Yeah I think so too so I'll be doing this again at 100,000 miles.

 

[RamCares]

My 2015 Ram 2500 has started to have a steering shake and I don't know what is causing it. My tires are rotated regularly and they are not cupped and this isn't a tire balance issue. It happens on turns and is fine when it is straight. It feels like the truck is in 4 wheel drive when going around parking lot turns slowly. The steering wheel will go back and forth during the turn and when straightening back out to center. Going around high speed on and off ramps on turns, the steering wheel shakes very badly. Lugs are all tight. I have checked to make sure it isn't in 4 wheel drive and that isn't the problem. I have not yet checked the power steering fluid, but I don't see any leaks anywhere on the driveway so it can't be leaking fluid and I don't hear anything when this happens.

Hi tdouty,
We understand how concerning this may be. We suggest having your dealer inspect this concern if you have not done so already. We are also available via private message if you would like any additional assistance during that process.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist