I was driving my dads 97 2500 cummins and the steering seemed to wander to a certain extent. I was wondering if the BD steering box stabilizer would fix this or does he need a new steering box.

Hopefully someone knows what im talking about

I heard that the dodge rams are known for their steering boxes failing, but is this description one of the symptoms of the box failing?

 

hi
first look at the track bar frame end for wear !

install the 3rd gen adaptor from ssi and a 3rd gen track bar and replace the wonder with pleasure !

 

Are you sure the alignment is right? I doubt the steering stabilizer would do much but it should be done.

 

Jack it up and check the steering components before you buy the box stabilizer.

On mine, the tie rod end at the Y was bad.

 

My dad just put in pretty much a new front end, all the arms and bearings but ill have to check the track bar, because he didnt replace it.

Yes the alignment is right, once he put all the new components in he had it aligned

Just to clear it up, since i dont think you guys understood whats happening, lets say your driving down a straight road and the top of the steering wheel is at 12 oclock, for the truck to actually start turning it would have to be turn to 11 or 1 oclock depending on the way your turning, theres like a neutral spot if you know what i mean and the numbers are just an estimate

Thanks for the input. I'v been telling him to put in the steering stabilizer, he just doesnt think he needs it. Do you need it for just normal driving or is it meant for the people that rag on their trucks?

 

So it doesn't really sound like an alignment issue, although even though you think it's aligned right, doesn't make it so. Check out this thread for alignment specs:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ht=ball+joints

You should put the steering stabilizer on even for normal driving in my opinion. The steering box is attached to one side of the frame and I've heard of frames cracking because the front end is so heavy on these trucks. When you turn the steering wheel, it puts a lot of stress on the box and frame (especially when standing still). You can bed the frame too. And finally, turning without the brace puts lots of stress on the steering box shaft leading to premature wear. Check for play in your steering box shaft. These Rams are notorious for having a little play in the steering. I've gotten used to mine.

 

Try this http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm

If that doesn't fix there's 30 pages or so to go though here http://www.dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/05-03-97/page1.html

 

My brother's '96 dually had a pitman arm (off the steering box) that was getting sloppy in the splines. He thought the the heat treat was a little off. Same symptoms. It's another thing to check while you're under there.

 

thanks for all the input guys, i still havent had time to look at it. hopefully this weekend ill have time to check it out

 

Bet it's the track bar.

Even if there is 1/8" play at the ball joint, you'll be chasing the play from left to right as you're driving to keep the truck strait.