Steering gearbox replacement

[jejb]

I've noticed some pulsing in my steering wheel since I bought my 18 2500 back in April. It's not strong enough to shake the wheel, and only happens like on highway ramps and corners like that (which we have a lot of here in the Ozarks).

Dealer is saying it's the gearbox, they've seen a few like mine. But the tech is also telling me that in the ones they've replaced with this issue, the owners have then complained about sloppy steering. Said they sometimes have gone through 3-4 gearboxes, which sometimes fixes them and sometimes doesn't. I was pretty incredulous about that information. How can a factory new part have slop in it?

Anyway, just trying to get input from anyone else that's been through this issue. I guess I'd rather live with a little pulsing than have sloppy steering for the rest of the trucks life. But I don't think I should have to settle for either, especially while still under full warranty.

 

[IRSmart]

Have you replaced your track bar? It may be worn, causing axle shift which would feel like sloppy steering.

 

[jejb]

I haven't replaced anything. Totally stock truck still under warranty with 25K miles on it.

 

[Bob Macknight]

how many miles on your truck? also look at your steering column under the dash down bu where it is connected to the shaft going through the firewall you will see a just about two inch long coupler that connects both shafts to each other.you will see that where the shafts slide into each other there is a somewhat of a pin that holds the firewall side of the shaft in place.i think its designed to collapse in the event of a crash,anyway with someone else moving the steering wheel as you are looking at that spot if you see play in that joint then that COULD be what youre feeling. i googled this and found the cure for that at little cost to you if you do it,its basically just putting in aa sleeve on that breakaway pin to take up the slack,i did it and it worked

 

[jejb]

how many miles on your truck?

As I mentioned just above your post, only 25K on the truck.

also look at your steering column under the dash down bu where it is connected to the shaft going through the firewall you will see a just about two inch long coupler that connects both shafts to each other.you will see that where the shafts slide into each other there is a somewhat of a pin that holds the firewall side of the shaft in place.i think its designed to collapse in the event of a crash,anyway with someone else moving the steering wheel as you are looking at that spot if you see play in that joint then that COULD be what youre feeling. i googled this and found the cure for that at little cost to you if you do it,its basically just putting in aa sleeve on that breakaway pin to take up the slack,i did it and it worked

Thanks

 

[Bob Macknight]

As I mentioned just above your post, only 25K on the truck.

Thanks

if you google (diagnosing dodge truck steering issues) tells it all