I was in a parking lot yesterday and backed out of my space while turning a little. I stopped, dropped it into drive and turned the other direction. As I started to roll forward, I heard a loud "clunk". Sounded like metal on metal. I looked and couldn't find anything, so I drove on.

As soon as I hit the road, I realized that the steering wheel has to be 90 degrees CCW to go in a straight line (if the wheel is in it's normal "horizontal" position, I turn to the right).

I was less than a mile from home, so I drove slowly. When I got to my street, I swerved back and forth - slowly at first, but slowly going faster and harder. Nothing odd happened.

I got the front end up in the air, and moved everything back and forth. It all moves just fine, and there's no shiny spots (no newly exposed metal). I took it out again, and the thing drives exactly like it did before the change - but the wheel has moved.

I'm guessing that a splined shaft (somewhere) slipped by one spline, or perhaps the steering box is toast.

Any thoughts?

'97 4x4, stock except for 285/75/16's

Thanks,
Tackett

 

I would check the ball joints. This is much easier with two people. One to move the wheel up and down with a bar, the other to see if it is the upper or lower joints.
Rich

 

Well I figured out why I couldn't find any problems in the steering... It was the rear axle. The driver's side rear axle moved back about 3" - there wasn't much holding it on at that point.Not sure what happened, but I'm guessing that the U bolts flexed, wore out or ???

I don't like that Chrysler has 4" lift blocks on a stock truck, but I don't have many options at the moment.

I'm putting it all back together, and will be replacing the Ubolts. Any thoughts on where to get them?

Thanks,
Tackett

 

Find your self a spring shop. They can make 'em while you wait.
Tom