I have replaced the,track bar a couple years ago, ball joints not that long ago, stabilizer links just a few weeks back and i still cant get the play out of my wheel. It is so sloppy there is know way i could keep it straight by holding the steering wheel in one spot going down the road. I have raised it and tried to have a buddy of mine look under and visa versa and see if anything was loose but didn't notice anything. The wheel itself is tight, it's just the play that is bothering be. Thanks for any help guys!
There is, I'm pretty certain, a backlash adjustment on the steer gearbox, loosen the nut, crank the screw down while holding the nut in place, til the screw bottoms out, and back off 1/4 turn, resnug the nut, and turn from lock to lock, to ensure no binding, see if that helps, other wise, I would look very carefully for motion at both ends of the track rod, I've had the crimps loosen on the drivers side after 1 day, plus, your rubber bushing may be loose on the passenger side of the rod. Lukes Link (on the web) sells fix it kits which are great at permanent fixes for trackrods, see the kit install on youtube, some Russian guy installs the drivers side repair step by step.
I think that steering box is adjustable. But it only goes so far and if it still wanders around like that, it may be time for a new box or some new steering links.
most steering boxes have 2 adjustments
1 is a course adjustment, the other is a fine adjustment
start up your Ram, have a 2nd person watch your drivers side front wheel
very slowly turn your steering wheel, when your spotter sees the tire turn,
that will tell you how much PLAY that you have
if it is 1 1/2 or 2 inches, you need to adjust your steering box
The"adjustment" is highly overrated. I've been trying it for nearly 30 years and it doesn't do a darn thing as far as I'm concerned.
It makes the wheel hard to turn and the play is still there, ensuring your early trip to the E.R. So now there's all kinds of play in the steering and it's harder to correct.
I'd honestly suggest replacing the steering box to get rid of the Yacht affect. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
Your '97 should have a Saginaw box and believe it or not, it's the same box used by GM in their pickups.
I put one on my 96 2500 and I could put one finger on the wheel at highway speeds. Best money I spent on the truck. My truck was all over the road prior to the installation. Lay under the truck with the engine off and look at the shaft that the pitman arm bolts to while someone rocks the steering wheel side to side. Once you do that you'll understand why the truck is all over the road.
even with a new steering box you will experience the same problem after around 5000 miles. 2nd gen dodges are well known for this problem and there is a few good aftermarket parts companies that produce a tougher stabilizer. iv talked to a few people who have purchased this and they had nothing but good things to say...one of the people is a very hard driver...meaning his ram is off road only and he said its held up great.
The DSS is designed to help support the gear box and prevent that from happening but if its already happening the DSS will do nothing. Trust me i have been through this. I went with the red head gear box and the borgeson shaft. Also bought the DSS, the DT Pro fab track bar and the Thuren crossover steering and its great now that being said i would start with your gear box and do not do a stock replacement they are all junk and youll be back in the same boat eventually.
oh and forgot to say also buy the DSS this will prevent the issue from coming back and help the new gear box. And i repeat do not use a stock replacement gear box the red head gear box is great.
My steering box was worn, (not to the point of the seal leaking) and I installed the DSS and it worked great. I had no complaints with installing it on an already worn steering box. It supported the shaft just fine for me.
I came across this, after someone suggested I look into steering column bushing for my death wobble. It subposedly reduces the play in steering which can be caused by the spring mechanism in the steering column. It's about 60 bucks, and there is a video:
I imagine there are other alternative brands out there, but this is the one I came across: http://www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com/
That bushing didn't help me and was a pain in any area that has extreme temp changes as it will shrink when cold and makes turning the wheel harder.
I agree with the red head box and the brace. Have you checked your steering shaft the joint wears out and needs replaced. I got a borgerson shaft.
Other than that if your track bar is good most of the time your upper joint wears out quick. Turn the wheel while watching for movement. Lastly I like the lukes link on a factory lifted truck.
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