I just got back from Mexico, where I did some pretty good off-roading. I think that this happened on soft sand, but I can't be sure, but when I got on a road where I could relax, I noticed that my steering wheel was not straight anymore. It was about 60 degrees rotated from its usual position. It looks like I cranked on the steering wheel, and it turned, but the wheels did not. The truck still behaved normal, no wandering, no pulling to one side. I drove it for another 5 days down there. It seems that the steering shaft slipped or somehow shifted in relation to the steering wheel, but I can't find or see anything out of normal. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

steering wheel position is set by the threaded collars on the tie rods. My guess is one wheel got tugged enough to pull the collar over the tie rod a bit. Without knowing the original position Id think youd need the truck aligned =(
You might even have bent one of the rods. Its an easy swap though and the parts are reasonably priced.

 

Steering wheel position on your dodge 4x4 is not set by the tie rod ends. The threaded collar on the drag link center the steering wheel.Toe is adjusted at the tie rod ends. You have bent something. If you are not sure what you are looking at take it to your local alignment shop or a reputable tire store and let them look it over. Best not to wait...something may come apart or you may destroy your front tires. Another thing is a center bolt in a rear leaf spring. If you sheared one of those the truck will "dog track" and the steering wheel seems off center because you are compensating for misalignment of the rear axle. This too can cause bad tire wear very quickly. GIT ER DONE!!!

 

Thanks for the replies, they pretty much confirm what I suspected, that the troubleshooting is out of my league. I will be taking it to a shop. Not the first time I have returned from Mex a bit worse for the wear! You play, you pay.

 

I've run into two trucks with this symptom, both were due to hitting something hard on the side of the tire which caused the shaft coming out of the steering box to twist.
You can tell if this is the problem if the truck turns sharper one direction than the other.

 

Yup. Had that happen to me 3 times and talk about some funky handling.

 

my sreering box had some slop in, it did the same thing, but i think it fas from pullin on the steerin wheel gettin in (the old mad that i got it from was short)

 

Interesting, I put the front end on blocks and when I turn to the left, the inside tire tread is 3" from the control arm, to the right, 2 1/2". This may not be real accurate, but could be indicative. I do remember hitting a rock, very hard. Didn't think much about it at the time. Need more testing, but it looks like it could be time for my third steering box.