Steering Wheel Vibe

[zzmellio]

I have exhausted my resources on this one. I have searched the web from top to bottom. I have a vibration in my steering wheel that's not suspension related. I can feel every bump in the road when driving, I can feel the motor running when stopped, I can feel the AC condenser fan running I can even feel the AC compressor kicking in and out thru the steering wheel. It is driving me batty trying to trace this down. This is my fourth Ram and never have I had this issue. If any one give me some leads I would be grateful.

Thanks

ZZ

2004 SLT RAM SPORT
5.7 HEMI
25K miles

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Welcome bud, first I have heard of all of that. Bump for the others to see if they have had this issue.

 

[PCA4208]

I have the same issue about the road bumps. Also sometimes at a red light my truck likes to die down to a 500-600 idle, then I can only really feel it on my feet like in the floor board, but not so much the steering wheel. And interesting that you can feel the condenser kick on.

 

[zzmellio]

Vibe

It is strange, when the condenser fan kicks in, you can feel it in the steering wheel big-time. Almost as if someone put an electric razor on the steering shaft. I bought the truck last Oct. from an old man who never drove it. It only had 16500 miles on it when I bought it from him. The day I drove it home was the first time it had ever been in the rain. It had sat so long the tires had sever dry rot. Inner tie rods where shot so I replaced them. With that in mind im sure there are other items that need attention due to the fact that rubber and bearings wear out from lack of use. Seems like if they sit un used they fall apart faster. I'm thinking maybe a motor mount has dried up or the rack and pinion bushings are dried up causing the transfer of vibes to the steering wheel. As for every bump in the road, I'm going to replace the stock shocks. If the tires dry rotted im sure other items have as well.

ZZ

 

[PCA4208]

If it had never been driven and it's a 2004 then things will definitely need to be replaced. Shocks yes, bushings yes, even check the sway bar bushings. Maybe even the bump stops if you want. I know I'm doing those soon.

 

[Redtruck-VA]

I think you are on track with a rubber isolator has collapsed in an engine mount sending everything into the steering wheel. I haven't had a good look a hemi mount but I'd look to see if where it is metal to metal. I have used solid mounts in the past on another truck and that is exactly the feel you get. Good luck...

 

[zzmellio]

Vibe

I think that I am on the correct track. Tonight I took the ole lady out for dinner and noticed excessive movement in the 4 wheel drive shifter. Especially when accelerating. Vibe seems to dissipate when I let off the gas. The vibe in the shifter is the same vibe that's in the steering wheel. If I accelerate hard the shifter moves a good 2 to 3 inches and when I go over bumps in the road the shifter moves around as well.

ZZ