F.Y.I. I just installed DBazley`s steering column fix (on the truck). It was no problem. Mine is a 98 auto,It was a little tight down in there but it can be done took about one hour but I was in no hurry. I used a die grinder with a pointed bit to grind the keeper of after that it was simple. It is a little tight like David said but i`m sure it will loosen up. It did get rid of the cluncking for sure. I haven`t driven it enough to tell if it handles better. I going on a short trip Monday,will post about handling when I return.

 

Please send the ordering information for this fix! My 2002 definitely clunks under braking, and you can feel it through the steering wheel.

 

I may have it too, when I back out of the driveway, I get a clunk when I hit the brakes, and have been unable to find the source - you're saying that the steering column / assembly may be loose?

 

Heres the adress RockSolidRamTruckSteering.com. Also do a search for steering fix on this site you will find more. My 98 (had) a clunk when I went down a bumpy road our in a curve and hitting a bump. This fix stopped that. I don`t know if it will fix your problem,but it might. E-mail David Bazley He can tell you.

 

Heres the real adress DBazley@RockSolidRamTruckSteering.com

 

Bartman this adress will take you directly to his web site http/www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com

 

Thank you sir!

 

Bartman; no problem,I hope it helps

 

This fix I believe is a bushing that goes up into the collar of the steering column to replace 8 or so odd pieces of stuff that were OEM. But, you might also check the part of the steering shaft where the two pieces meet.( smaller one goes inside the larger) If those are loose at all it will cause the clunk too, especially under braking as everything flexes. Quick check on that one is to take the shaft out and use a BFH to clamp it down again. I did that on mine several years ago and haven't had the clunk since.

 

I did the bushing to my column but I can still feel some feedback from bumps and the brakes in the steering wheel. You said you took the shaft off and used a what???? to clamp it back on? Sounds interesting and will definately give it try since it's free......unless Murphy's law is enacted and I break something.

 

Big Hammer!

The smaller shaft doesn't fit tight into the larger tube so you can take a hammer and mash it back down tight. It is a "temporary" fix, but will let help you rule out some things. As I mentioned, mine hasn't worked it's way back loose again and it has been several years.

 

By the way, make sure that you have your steering wheel secured during all of this. The shaft will only go on one way, and if your wheel turns on you, you are playing with potential for a broken clockspring and air bag malfunction.

 

Yep! I broke my clockspring when I did the bushing but luckily I found out there's a recall on it and DC replaced it for free!!!! I don't think I will make that mistake again.

 

just posted this on the engine part, maybe should have looked here first. anyway....working on recentering my clockspring after loosing track of center while removing steering gear box. book says turn it to its end of travel (clockwise) then back 2.5 turns...horn wire should end up on top and other wires on bottom. mine doesn't work out that way. it's 1/2 turn off, plus if i turn it the other way to the end of its travel, it's quite a bit more than 2.5 turns. anyone know what's up with that?

 

The way I centered mine was I went all the way to the right until it tightened up and then counted my turns back to the left until it got a little tight. Divided that # by 2 and then turned back to the right. I want to say there were around 17-18 full turns. Maybe that's why I broke my clockspring.