What's the most likely cause?

[02blkram47]

For a little while I've had some steering issues. Here's what it feels like. Interstate driving: the truck is hard to keep straight, it wanders a bit. In town: over smaller bumps I hear and feel some play in the steering wheel. It also feels like it floats along and sways like an older Cadillac. If I'm parked I can wiggle the steering wheel and it moves in both directions quite a bit with a clunking sound. Is my issue in the steering column or somewhere else?

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[SilverStreak88]

Sounds like tie rods or steering box. As old as the truck is I would check both, while the truck is parked get some to sit in it and turn the wheel back and forth to see if the clunk is coming from the steering box or your tie rods. You should also check hubs, ball joints, control arm bushings as these all play a part as well, but I would start at the tie rods and go from there.

 

[02blkram47]

Thanks for the reply, not that it matters but this is on my new truck which is the 2011 Laramie Longhorn.

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[SilverStreak88]

Thanks for the reply, not that it matters but this is on my new truck which is the 2011 Laramie Longhorn.

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Oh sorry, was going off the side bar with your stats. As new of a truck that is I would still say that tie rods are a good place to start, but everything else (should) be good, but it's always good to check.

 

[02blkram47]

No worries, i wasn't sure if there was a way to change my profile and screen name. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll start there.

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[SilverStreak88]

No worries, i wasn't sure if there was a way to change my profile and screen name. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll start there.

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You should be able to contact a MOD, they should be able change it for you.

 

[14hemiexpress]

Our trucks have rack and pinions and that's the cause of the sloppy steering. I replaced my outer tie rods and rack fixed me right up my truck is a 2010 and I did that right at 148k miles.

 

[02blkram47]

I have 68k should the rack be bad already?

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[VB712]

My 14 has a slight clunk in the steering wheel at certain times and I can't find what's causing it to save my life.

 

[14hemiexpress]

My 14 has a slight clunk in the steering wheel at certain times and I can't find what's causing it to save my life.

The 14 has electric steering and if memory serves me right 5he clunk issues are in the column it's self try researching that and see what you come up with.

 

[huntergreen]

Our trucks have rack and pinions and that's the cause of the sloppy steering. I replaced my outer tie rods and rack fixed me right up my truck is a 2010 and I did that right at 148k miles.

did you replace with after market or oem?

 

[14hemiexpress]

I have 68k should the rack be bad already?

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Sorry I missed this question earlier. I wouldn't imagine at 68k the rack going bad but it's really the only place I can think of that would cause excesse of play. If it's had a realitlevly hard life such as dirt roads, pot holes, bigger tires, constantly loaded, lots of turning while not moving all will cause more stress on it and there's always the possibility of unlucky part failure a manufacturing defect if you want to call it that. so as far as normal wear and tear 68k shouldn't but it's in the realm of possibility.

 

[14hemiexpress]

did you replace with after market or oem?

I went with a Dorman remanufactured unit. Was like little over $200 and had a $70 core can't remember how long the warranty was but no issues after 8k miles of use.

 

[jacobsmudder]

I'm replacing my steering column because the guy who rolled the truck must have been hanging onto the steering wheel for dear life. Bent something in the column.

Symptoms were sloppy steering and excessive dead zone. I can wobble the steering wheel back and forth and the truck will go straight... like those old 70s cars In dead center, there is a few centimeters of play left and right before it engages. Going from turning left to turning right is a couple centimeter dead zone... making the truck wander on the highway due to this large dead zone. Like I'm driving drunk.

I finally figured out something in the column is bent, after taking off the plastic surrounds from the column and moving from ujoint, to ujoint, to finally the spline...

Where the spline connects, whatever we want to call that, is "bent" on my struck. Shining a light up the exposed column while having someone do the "play" showed the issue. Pulling up exploded diagrams of the column show that part is sealed.

So i ordered a new column for 430$ and am putting it in tonight to resolve this problem.

 

[02blkram47]

I just had my mechanic check my front end. Left outer tie rod end is shot and both lower ball joints are bad. Now I know why it drives so lose.

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[02blkram47]

I have an appointment this Friday at the Ram dealership in town to get these replaced under my extended warranty. Hopefully this is the solution and I'll enjoy driving it again.

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[Rzrman328]

Let us know how it goes

 

[RamCares]

I have an appointment this Friday at the Ram dealership in town to get these replaced under my extended warranty. Hopefully this is the solution and I'll enjoy driving it again.

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Hi 02blkram47,
Please feel free to keep me updated about your appointment. I am happy to reach out on your behalf if needed for follow-up.

Anna
RamCares Social Media Specialist

 

[02blkram47]

Hi 02blkram47,
Please feel free to keep me updated about your appointment. I am happy to reach out on your behalf if needed for follow-up.

Anna
RamCares Social Media Specialist

thank you very much, I'll let you know.

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[reek]

No worries, i wasn't sure if there was a way to change my profile and screen name. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll start there.

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You can change your info by clicking on "User CP" right under where it says "ramforum.com". then the left hand side column on your CP page has the first tab "edit your details".