Steering wander

[bigthess]

Hello all,

I bought a 2015 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi with 91k miles a few months ago. Since I bought it has had a pretty bad steering wander. I can move my steering wheel probably 3-4 inches back and forth before there is any movement in the wheels. Truth be told I have to fight it enough to keep it straight that I’m almost afraid of getting pulled over for a suspected DUI. If I take my focus off the road for more than a second or two I’m libel to end up in the other lane.

When I get under the truck I can reach up and twist the steering shaft 1-2 inches side to side so there is a ton of slop where it connects to the steering gearbox. Everything else seems tight. I’m thinking either the steering shaft or steering gearbox is shot, just not sure which. Any help appreciated.

 

[Dean2]

Check out Borgerson. Have shafts, steering boxes and great quality stuff.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Put a vice grip at the bottom of the shaft against something solid (2x4 against the frame?)...and tie the vise grip against the frame/2x4, using some string or twine. It doesn't have to be real tight...just enough to keep things from moving as you gently test it. Then go inside and gently turn the steering wheel back/fourth. If you feel 'freeplay' then you have play in your truck's intermediate steering shaft/s. There's an upper and a lower shaft and a few u-joints among them. You can keep testing it by moving the vise grip further up the shaft to isolate the lower and upper. That should help you find the problem.

Some other forum members have had to replace theirs over the yrs. So they can go bad.

Good luck!

 

[mover92]

There is a adjusting set screw on top of the steering box. loosen the nut and turn the center with allen wrench. You can feel how loose it is by turning the knuckle next to the box back and forth by hand. tighten the set screw until the play is gone. I tightened my 99 2500 all the way and it didn't help. Must be a weak point on dodges.

 

[Racer9]

The steering system has been an issue on Dodge/Ram trucks for a long time, especially diesels or lifted, big tire trucks. Can you say "DEATH WOBBLE?"
If you can't really tell what the issue is, take it to someone who can, NOT the dealer. A shop that specializes in suspension and alignments is where to go.
If it is the steering box, these guys were the way to go in the past; https://redheadsteeringgears.com/
Sometimes it's the other steering/suspension parts, check it over thoroughly, and it could be more than one thing.