I was at the local 4x4 shop putting on some new tread and we got to talking about the sloppy sterring in these trucks. He told me there is a way to tightin these up a little. On the sterring gear (find the sterring shaft and go down to the sterring gear pump) there is a 5/8'' nut with a allen screw or slotted screw driver bolt on top of the pump. (look right down the fan on the drivers side of the truck) Mark the bolt with a pen and then lossen the 5/8'' nut and tighten the bolt (clockwise) an 1/8'' turn at a time and wiggle the shaft. Dont go more then 1/2 to 3/4 turn with the bolt. Tighten the nut and test drive. I did it last night and today i was supprised, it was hard getting usedto tighter sterring. I did a 1/2 turn and im happy.
let me know if it works for you guys...
kevin

 

The point of marking the bolt is to make sure you don't go over 1/2 or 3/4 turn I take it?

Sounds like a great fix to the slop in the steering wheel.

-CM

 

yup your right dont over turn the bolt...

 

For clear instructions, with pictures, go to:http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm

george

 

Make sure you test it all the way rt and lft. I tightened one once and got it stuck when cranked all the way while turning around. Seems the center of the gear wears more than the sides from herding that sucker down the road. ;D