NateJ892
Junior Member
Hi everyone,
I own a 2012 Ram 1500 Sport with the 5.7L and the 65RFE.
I am currently sitting at 264k on the odometer.
My issue began approximately 10k ago I began experiencing sloppy steering. At first it was the ball joints going; no big deal I'd expect nothing less at this milage. Then on the high way I'm not sure when but one day I look under my truck to find the FL sway bar line snapped in half; bit of a surprise but replaced and didn't think anything of it.
I've been slowly developing a greater dead zone in my steering and while each part replacement did in fact reduce the issue and in-fact comes back larger and larger every time; nothing ever truly got rid of the issue entirely. I'm kind of at a loss with the truck, I've followed the recommendation of multiple highly rated suspension shop, mom & pop shops, and even the dealership.
I think it'll be easier to just list out everything done to the truck at this point. I must be missing something obvious because I can't believe I'm up to a 3" dead zone on a truck I use for mainly highway use. This list is not really in order but I'm listing everything done to the truck in the last 20k so you can maybe pinpoint the issue.
FL & FR Wheel bearings
Both CV Axles
Upper ball joints (+ control arm since aluminum)
Sway bar mounts
Sway bar links
Retorqued both front Shock mounts (3 bolts + main center one)
EMF Push in bushings
Tie rod ends
Tie rods
Steering Rack
Steering Shaft Lower Intermediate Shaft
Steering Shaft Upper Intermediate Shaft
Steering Column
And of course multiple alignments after major changes
My symptoms are:
I can hear a "rattle" that sounds like loose change or washers bouncing around from the front left (the passenger side cannot hear at all. I also have newer tires, nothing loose inside of them)
3" dead zone
At each "end" of the dead zone my steering feels spongey before the wheel actually turns
Turning the steering wheel back and forth with or without hitting the end of the dead zone will cause a "clunk" noise
No matter where I hold the steering shaft and twist opposite ways with two hands I cannot pin point the clunk, I think it travels the whole shaft
Disconnecting the shaft at any point between the rack and the steering wheel causes the clunk to completely go away but comes right back when connected.
Lifting both tires off the ground and moving back and forth very fast will cause the clunk and almost feels like the tires are free from the rack for a moment.
Both tires are completely synchronized without play between them.
I love, or loved (not sure) the truck and was awesome to drive while the steering was good but I cannot live with this steering issue. I've almost stopped driving it entirely because it's becoming way to difficult to keep my lane now and I consider it dangerous at this time.
It doesn't in-still confidence in me to stick with the brand next time. If anyone has any thoughts it would be greatly appreciated, would love to get back on the road with it but like I said; I consider it more a hazard to me and everyone around me.
I own a 2012 Ram 1500 Sport with the 5.7L and the 65RFE.
I am currently sitting at 264k on the odometer.
My issue began approximately 10k ago I began experiencing sloppy steering. At first it was the ball joints going; no big deal I'd expect nothing less at this milage. Then on the high way I'm not sure when but one day I look under my truck to find the FL sway bar line snapped in half; bit of a surprise but replaced and didn't think anything of it.
I've been slowly developing a greater dead zone in my steering and while each part replacement did in fact reduce the issue and in-fact comes back larger and larger every time; nothing ever truly got rid of the issue entirely. I'm kind of at a loss with the truck, I've followed the recommendation of multiple highly rated suspension shop, mom & pop shops, and even the dealership.
I think it'll be easier to just list out everything done to the truck at this point. I must be missing something obvious because I can't believe I'm up to a 3" dead zone on a truck I use for mainly highway use. This list is not really in order but I'm listing everything done to the truck in the last 20k so you can maybe pinpoint the issue.
FL & FR Wheel bearings
Both CV Axles
Upper ball joints (+ control arm since aluminum)
Sway bar mounts
Sway bar links
Retorqued both front Shock mounts (3 bolts + main center one)
EMF Push in bushings
Tie rod ends
Tie rods
Steering Rack
Steering Shaft Lower Intermediate Shaft
Steering Shaft Upper Intermediate Shaft
Steering Column
And of course multiple alignments after major changes
My symptoms are:
I can hear a "rattle" that sounds like loose change or washers bouncing around from the front left (the passenger side cannot hear at all. I also have newer tires, nothing loose inside of them)
3" dead zone
At each "end" of the dead zone my steering feels spongey before the wheel actually turns
Turning the steering wheel back and forth with or without hitting the end of the dead zone will cause a "clunk" noise
No matter where I hold the steering shaft and twist opposite ways with two hands I cannot pin point the clunk, I think it travels the whole shaft
Disconnecting the shaft at any point between the rack and the steering wheel causes the clunk to completely go away but comes right back when connected.
Lifting both tires off the ground and moving back and forth very fast will cause the clunk and almost feels like the tires are free from the rack for a moment.
Both tires are completely synchronized without play between them.
I love, or loved (not sure) the truck and was awesome to drive while the steering was good but I cannot live with this steering issue. I've almost stopped driving it entirely because it's becoming way to difficult to keep my lane now and I consider it dangerous at this time.
It doesn't in-still confidence in me to stick with the brand next time. If anyone has any thoughts it would be greatly appreciated, would love to get back on the road with it but like I said; I consider it more a hazard to me and everyone around me.
