Been driving the new 3rd generation until today when the water pump went south, got into my 01 and couldn't beleive the difference in steering. May have been like this right along and happened so gradually i didn't notice, but the 01 steers like a truck ! Meaning hard to steer and wheel doesn't return to center easily when you make a turn and let the steering wheel reposition to the center ?
What should i look for ?

 

bump need some input on this one

 

bad steering gear or bad PS pump?

 

Talked to a friend tonite who is a mecanic for Dodge. He said he thought maybe it would be upper ball joints. Described it as stiff steering, seemed to fit .

 

The "not returning to center" could be alignment related as well.


phox

 

I wondered about that. Getting the water pump in the 03 Tuesday and then will address the 01.
Ever notice how when you have a problem with one of your vehicles the other vehicles get jealous and clammer for attention?

 

Recently I read up on a '96 or '97 steeringwheel play TSB concerning tightening up on the steeringwheel input shaft bearing plug to remove excessive residual play that couldn't be removed by adjusting the over-center adjustment. (which mine needs)
But the interesting thing was a caution about excessive tightening of the over-center adjustment bolt on the top of the gearbox. Tightening it up a little too much in an attempt to remove all residual play can cause the s-wheel to not return to center as well as it should, and a general tightness and feeling of stiffness in steering. Sound familiar?
Has anyone messed w/ your steering box in the past?

K.