During my last trip South, I hit a rock very hard with the right front wheel. The truck jumped to the left, the wheel was ripped from my hand, and it was twisted way off. Instead of the center section being level when going straight, it was off at least 30 degrees. I posted the problem earlier. Once I got home I took it to a shop and they could not find anything wrong with all the linkage, but they did fix the steering wheel. Well, the steering got more and more strained, so I took it to another shop. I cracked the frame where the steering box is bolted. He removed the box and welded it up on the inside and put a large metal plate on the outside. Looks good. He said that he sees this on Chevy gassers all the time, but never on a Dodge. I was going to use the 375.00 for a bomb, but that will have to wait. Bummer.

 

wow, i just found the same issue on mine while i was chasing death wobble issues, i will be welding the crack and reinforcing the frame with a bracket i made..

 

When you weld the crack, drill a hole at the end of it first. Supposed to relieve the stress or something.

 

1st gens crack all the time

tips are never rotate the steering wheel when not moving
also keep at least 60 lbs up front in the tires or more unless winter
ice snow conditions then air down some
also never turn the wheel real fast
these items will crack the frame

 

I have heard the same thing. Keeps it from cracking on that same line by spreading out the pressure over the circular edge. Guess you only need this though if the weld fails.

 

FSM tells to drill the end of the crack. It is a SOP for crack repairs, I think.

 

thanks for the heads up, im an F-16 mechanic and they crack all the time and a stop drill is usually the fix, but that is on aluminum. i am going stop drill the crack on both ends, weld it and plate it with angle iron.. will post pics.

 

great now im all nervous, better go check mine too.

 

That's what these prevent http://www.solidsteel.biz/product_dss.htm
Stops twisting of the frame at the gear box. Better to install one before you have trouble, definitely install one after it's cracked and been repaired.
Every Ram should have one, comes out cheaper in the long run if you plan on keeping the truck for long.

 

Bill, I usually take all web postings with a big grain of salt but yours hit the nail on the head 99.99% of the time. I am getting concerned that I may start taking your advice for the answer and not do my homework as thoroughly as I usually do. Can you miss the mark once for a change so I can get back on track?

 

The reason for the drill holes at both ends of the crack is to stop the crack from spreading while it is being welded. What happens is the metal will expand while welding. The crack will progress and not be seen. The circular hole stops the crack from progressing at the microscopic level.
Also fill in the hole as you are welding.
Cracks are the hardest thing to weld as they tend to live for ever.

 

I'm gonna check mine this weekend I guess, some sloppy steering but never figured this could happen.

Shawn

 

I'm starting to wonder about these trucks with the 53 blocks,the junk lift pumps, the cracking dashes, the cracking frames, junk steering components, weak auto trannies, inadequate rear brakes. I thought I was upgrading when I sold my Chevy and bought this

 

Don't worry, these don't always happen all at once. Most of the time.

 

Well that's good to know, I guess. But at 69k mi. I've already experienced a couple of these issues. It just makes me dread the future.