Ever since I've had my truck the steering shaft has always been loose in the column at the engine compartment end. I can't even find a parts break down in my FSM or at the parts counter at the dealerships. Does anybody know if there is a bushing in the end of the column and if so is it replaceable?Thanks Dave.

 

Get a Borgeson steering and your problem will be solved forever. But, there is a little bushing that connects to the Steering gear box end. That gets bad real fast, like every 10,000 miles or less. After replacing 3 of mine in a year, I paid the money for a true steering shaft and haven't touched in in 50,000 miles. Part at the dealer is only about $10 if I remember and not sure what it is called but they do have them. Never found it at Napa or any of those stores, dealer item only I think.

http://www.borgeson.com/

 

No I'm afraid that's not my problem, I should have said I already have a Flaming River shaft, the slop and popping sound I'm getting is the shaft inside the steering column I can move the end of the shaft by hand. Thank for the reply though.

 

I have the same problem. Its the shaft through the column that shakes, vibrates, slaps, jiggles, and gets on my nerves.

I thought about stuffing some nylon rope up in the column.

 

The steering column itself is serviced as an assembly only, as far as Dodge is concerned. Whether or not you can take it apart and use some ingenuity to fix it, I don't know.

 

I'm not sure if nylon rope is what torquefan is talking about, Tommy. I don't think it's a good idea to stuff anything in the column that could get tangled or bound up.

 

Oh, that noise in the column. You just learn to deal with it. I have started about 10,000 miles ago to get a noise every once in awhile when I turn my steering wheel. It just squeaks or something like that. It doesn't happen all the time and I haven't heard it for a few weeks now. So, what you're saying is that I have something too look forward to .

Thanks.

 

That what's I was afraid of. Oh well, thanks guys.

 

If you have a tilt coloum it sounds like the Joint where it tilts is worn out.. I've had that joint replaced on both chevy and Ford .. around here there are a few guys that do steering coloum repair that come to you and replace the joint.. about 100.00 parts and labor.

 

My steering shaft is very floppy inside the column housing under the hood. It seems the bushing is worn.

Would a second generation column fit into the first?

 

Once upon a time, in never never land, the local government bought a dozen dodge 1/2 ton 2wd trucks with v6 engines. Every one of them had this same problem that you are describing, with the bottom bearing on the steering column becoming loose.

I was able, after much searching, find a steering column rebuild kit, and I do beleive it came from our local chrysler dealer. Keep in mind, these trucks were 97's and the problem came about in early 99. the kits may no longer be available, but it is worth doing some digging. Being that it is a weak spot, if the parts are out there, perhaps a group effort, and group buy would help???