Steering wheel wander

[bthorne12n]

Hey all, I’m looking at purchasing a 2018 Ram 2500 CTD. I test drove it the other day and the steering wheel had a feeling like I have never experienced before. When turning, the wheel would jump a little. It didn’t seem to affect the truck’s movement at all. The dealer sent it to a shop to be looked at and I spoke with two of the mechanics, both of which assured me that it is caused by the truck having rear coil springs and is normal in similar trucks; the owner of the shop stated it occurred in his personal truck as well. Like I said, I have never experienced this and am in uncharted territory. I’m wondering if anyone else might have experienced the same phenomenon before. Thanks.

 

[Ramtop]

My 2019 2500 Bighorn 6.4 Hemi doesn’t do that. Steering wheel is smooth in turns.

 

[Jane S]

Hey all, I’m looking at purchasing a 2018 Ram 2500 CTD. I test drove it the other day and the steering wheel had a feeling like I have never experienced before. When turning, the wheel would jump a little. It didn’t seem to affect the truck’s movement at all. The dealer sent it to a shop to be looked at and I spoke with two of the mechanics, both of which assured me that it is caused by the truck having rear coil springs and is normal in similar trucks; the owner of the shop stated it occurred in his personal truck as well. Like I said, I have never experienced this and am in uncharted territory. I’m wondering if anyone else might have experienced the same phenomenon before. Thanks.

I have a 2016 2500 - never happend to me.

Sometimes it can be a signal of a bearing goind bad.

 

[crash68]

A 2500 with the CTD will have some steering lag due the extra 800 lbs the engine puts over the front axle. If the steering response has a non-responsive jump to it, the front end components need to be inspected a little closer.

 

[buckeyexx]

Check the axle u-joints. Mine would feel like it was partially locked in 4wd when I found the right side binding up.

 

[bthorne12n]

A 2500 with the CTD will have some steering lag due the extra 800 lbs the engine puts over the front axle. If the steering response has a non-responsive jump to it, the front end components need to be inspected a little closer.

The wheel will jump but it won’t erratically move the truck, the truck continues to turn appropriately. I’m not sure if this is what you mean by the non-responsive jump.

 

[crash68]

The wheel will jump but it won’t erratically move the truck, the truck continues to turn appropriately. I’m not sure if this is what you mean by the non-responsive jump.

That description sounds about right, steering wheel movement without a corresponding vehicle steering in a similar direction or something in the road to cause it.
Be sure to check the front axle knuckle u-joints for binding.

 

[bthorne12n]

That description sounds about right, steering wheel movement without a corresponding vehicle steering in a similar direction or something in the road to cause it.
Be sure to check the front axle knuckle u-joints for binding.

Well it is while I’m turning the wheel, not as I’m driving it straight. If I go to make a turn, that’s when I notice the movement. I’ll definitely take a look at the u-joints though.

 

[huntergreen]

I’d walk away from that dealer and truck. It’s not normal and they lied to you.

 

[buckeyexx]

Well it is while I’m turning the wheel, not as I’m driving it straight. If I go to make a turn, that’s when I notice the movement. I’ll definitely take a look at the u-joints though.

They are hard to diagnose by just looking at them. I had to pull a wheel and rotate the hub by hand. I could feel the bind and hear the squeak while rotating it. While driving with the wheel turned in either direction I could feel the steering wheel fighting me like I had 4wd locked in on dry pavement.

 

[2Tallguy]

Hey all, I’m looking at purchasing a 2018 Ram 2500 CTD. I test drove it the other day and the steering wheel had a feeling like I have never experienced before. When turning, the wheel would jump a little. It didn’t seem to affect the truck’s movement at all. The dealer sent it to a shop to be looked at and I spoke with two of the mechanics, both of which assured me that it is caused by the truck having rear coil springs and is normal in similar trucks; the owner of the shop stated it occurred in his personal truck as well. Like I said, I have never experienced this and am in uncharted territory. I’m wondering if anyone else might have experienced the same phenomenon before. Thanks.

Thuren's rear trackbar corrects the inherent rear wander especially towing.

 

[abbttb]

I encountered this same sensation on my 2016 2500 QC 6.4 4x4 just after I past 100k miles. I performed a steering angle calibration with my scan tool and it resolved the issue.

 

[Bandit1859]

Hey all, I’m looking at purchasing a 2018 Ram 2500 CTD. I test drove it the other day and the steering wheel had a feeling like I have never experienced before. When turning, the wheel would jump a little. It didn’t seem to affect the truck’s movement at all. The dealer sent it to a shop to be looked at and I spoke with two of the mechanics, both of which assured me that it is caused by the truck having rear coil springs and is normal in similar trucks; the owner of the shop stated it occurred in his personal truck as well. Like I said, I have never experienced this and am in uncharted territory. I’m wondering if anyone else might have experienced the same phenomenon before. Thanks.

I would not think it’s normal walk away or have it looked at from someone you trust

 

[Eaglefire21]

When you say jumps do you mean it feels like it trys to ruturn to the straight ahead position?

 

[moulin6801]

I have the same problem with my 2023 Longhorn, crewcab! It s something different from sure, since never had that happened with my 2013 Laramie!
Did you find the cause/ solution??
Thanks