1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

New to first gen. have 4x4, BAD STEERING LINIKAGE

Old 12-27-2006, 03:40 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Puke's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
New to first gen. have 4x4, BAD STEERING LINIKAGE

I am used to my 98 24v, auto. But just got a 93 stick shift 4x4 std. cab, ..to "work" with.
The steering wanders all over the place. I believe the box at the bottom (as well as tie rods...etc) is fine, but that linkage piece near the bottom of the steering column is shot all to hell.

One person told me "dodge" does not carry parts for thatanymore, and I'd have to do an aftermarket fix of some sort. So I thought someone on this site would have some knowledge on what to get and install/??

ANway, any help would be appreciated.

Also, is there a KDP with the 93 trucks....if so, I'll have to have that jigged or something asap.

Thanx,
Clay
Old 12-27-2006, 03:53 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
andyr354's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Northern KS
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That steering joint is a common point of failure. Get if fixed before it lets go!

You can get a kit at most parts stores to rebuild the stock joint or replace it with a much better unit from Borgenson.
http://www.borgeson.com/TruckProductDodge.htm

You can find them online for under 200 if you search around.
Old 12-27-2006, 04:10 PM
  #3  
Adminstrator-ess
 
wannadiesel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: New Holland, PA
Posts: 22,594
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Dodge had the parts last summer. It's a waste of time to rebuild that joint on a 4X4 because it operates at a fairly extreme angle. Get the Borgeson or Flaming River shaft. On a 2wd the rebuild works great because the shaft is nearly straight.
Old 12-27-2006, 05:54 PM
  #4  
1st Generation Admin
 
BC847's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Buies Creek, NC
Posts: 4,597
Received 111 Likes on 57 Posts
Be sure to check the steering box's mounting plate. They have an alarming failure rate with multiple cracks. DC's got them for around $25 I think it was.
Old 12-27-2006, 07:00 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
ChrisLib's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Boerne, TX
Posts: 1,517
Received 11 Likes on 6 Posts
Yup double ck that mounting plate, very common for cracks, mine had a hairline crack and the darn truck was all over the place...and all the bolts were tight. You can look in my gallery for my choice on the steering shaft, it`s the stock one with a spicer u-joint and yoke welded on, way over kill but it was 1/2 the price of a borg and it`s greaseable (borg is`nt). Don`t get me wrong the borg shaft is nice as well, i had one on another truck, very well made stuff, just throwing out another option for ya.
Old 12-27-2006, 10:14 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
mogpuller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Puke,

There is less likely a problem with the dowel pin on a '93 compared to a 2nd gen. However, it can work loose and fall into the gears. More common on the 1st gen. are the timing case bolts that can work themselves loose and do the damage. When you get the cover off, see that these bolts get some loctite and retorque. Do a search in this forum for more info...
Old 12-27-2006, 10:29 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
lowwag64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lacombe,Alberta
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Puke
I am used to my 98 24v, auto. But just got a 93 stick shift 4x4 std. cab, ..to "work" with.
The steering wanders all over the place. I believe the box at the bottom (as well as tie rods...etc) is fine, but that linkage piece near the bottom of the steering column is shot all to hell.

One person told me "dodge" does not carry parts for thatanymore, and I'd have to do an aftermarket fix of some sort. So I thought someone on this site would have some knowledge on what to get and install/??

ANway, any help would be appreciated.

Also, is there a KDP with the 93 trucks....if so, I'll have to have that jigged or something asap.

Thanx,
Clay
odd,our dealerships say that they don't make a '92 steering piece but still carry a '93 version? I will get you the part # I added a 90 deg.grease fitting into the side of mine to keep full of grease.maybe last a bit longer?

as for the steering "all over the place".An aftermarket shop has a "kit" they want to sell me for about $400.00cdn that i guess helps out alot for that problem.Mine isn't to bad yet.
Old 12-28-2006, 11:37 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
EClancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: over yonder back there
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ChrisLib
You can look in my gallery for my choice on the steering shaft, it`s the stock one with a spicer u-joint and yoke welded on, way over kill but it was 1/2 the price of a borg and it`s greaseable (borg is`nt). Don`t get me wrong the borg shaft is nice as well, i had one on another truck, very well made stuff, just throwing out another option for ya.

Nice idea using that ujoint. You got any part numbers for that fix?
Old 12-28-2006, 11:43 AM
  #9  
Registered User
 
andyr354's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Northern KS
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I remember reading a post a while back you can get that u-joint from the base of a K-cars steering column. K car or older style minivan.

Andy
Old 12-28-2006, 04:18 PM
  #10  
Registered User
 
ChrisLib's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Boerne, TX
Posts: 1,517
Received 11 Likes on 6 Posts
Originally Posted by EClancy
Nice idea using that ujoint. You got any part numbers for that fix?
here are the P/N`s off of the invoice I have, they are all spicer parts.
10-4-13 1000 ser 3/4x3/16 end yoke
10-4-631sx 3/4 30 spl inv end/steer yoke
5-170x 1000 series u-joint
Old 12-28-2006, 04:53 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
EClancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: over yonder back there
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you sir...much appreciated
Old 01-01-2007, 06:47 PM
  #12  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Puke's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Thanks all of you. I got a steering column, made by borgeson.

I bought the deluxe one with a u joint on both ends (I was lucky because my rag joint was removeable...apparently a lot of them are not).

Took a couple hours to replace because they basically send it to you and you have to reduce the length a certain amount (they send them long because of all you guys that have their trucks lifted...etc., and need longer onesj_)..

But it's now perfect. Not a bit of play in the steering.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
V.R.Wheeler
HELP!
1
08-04-2007 01:00 PM
65fury
Performance and Accessories 2nd gen only
25
04-06-2007 08:16 AM
MikeThomas
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
2
02-12-2007 05:51 PM
Buckshotram
12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
3
01-09-2006 09:27 AM
C Pierce
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
20
03-21-2005 08:41 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: New to first gen. have 4x4, BAD STEERING LINIKAGE



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:58 PM.