Hi there,

Just replaced my ball-joints( royal pain in the ) and all the tie-rod ends. My steering wheel has been wanering alot lately and I picked up a new steering Stabilizer, though might be the problem. Turns out while I was taking it apart the old stock stabilizer feels nice and stiff along the lines of the new one? So I left it on there. I traced the components back to the steering wheel and have found lots of play in the gear box.
Does anyone know on the 2003 model 3500 if there is some kind of adjustment in the gearbox? Or does anyone even sell after maret gearboxes yet. One thing after another on this crappy dodge product, ready to trade it in for an import.

 

I thought I had a gearbox failing then had a friend check things and we found the shaft from the steering wheel to gearbox loose at the top.
I just put a Borgenson on it and it feels great.

 

You could try a DSS stering brace if there is play in the shaft.

http://www.solidsteel.biz/dss.htm

Also...PSC Performance makes aftermarket steering boxes for our rigs:

http://www.pscpowersteer.com/

 

I wish i would have known about these guys 2 wks ago. Would have save me $40 on the DSS.

 

I had a good look at the system and there is only play in the gearbox, alot of backlash. There is on allen key bolt sticking out with a jam nut, directy above the pitman arm. Not sure if you could adjust back lash with this or not.
Thanks for your help but I can't see that support braket doing anything, there is still backlash in the system?

Any one know if you can go into the box and adjust backlash?

Thanks

 

I haven't heard of anyone being able to adjust anything on these boxes. Usually they just get rebuilt or replaced.

The DSS brace does actually help quite a bit with steering feel...takes a lot of the play out of the steering wheel. What is does is force the sector shaft in the box to stay straight instead of moving around and being loose. Most Rams that I have seen have had some play in the shaft that the brace corrects. It made a very noticeable difference on my truck.

 

Thanks for the response, I just talked to the dealer and appearently the internal guts in the box are not adjustable. Kind of curious about that one with a thread bolt coming thru the top side and a jam nut as to which you are probably capable of adjusting the height of the pitman lever. There is a cover with four bolts also?

Wish I could get my hands on a breakdown picture.

Cheers

 

I believe the Pitman shaft adjuster plug you are referring to only adjusts bearing preload. You don't want to change this as you could damage the bearing without following the proper adjustment procedure.

 

Ya good point about the bearing preload. I spoke with some place that is the manufactures of these steering boxes for all types. He said tightening that jam nut may increase the backlash, but not likely alot to make a difference. They sell the boxes for a good price, I have the place book marked if any of you are in need of one. In San Diego Cali,

Cheers

Going to try to tweek tomorrow.

 

If you don't mind, send me that link. I need to replace a Saginaw Gear box on my old bubba truck. The stub shaft is leaking and I don't feel like replacing the seals. Kit is only $11 but I don't feel like taking it apart.

 

I did exactly what you are thinking on my 06 and it worked. There was just a slight amount of play at the shaft. I turned it about 1/4 turn at a time and tightened the jam nut each time until the play was gone (I think it only took about 1/2-3/4 turn). It worked. The play was gone. The steering felt more responsive. The slight leak I had in the gear box disappeared.

I figured if it didn't work, I still needed to replace it, so why not. I drove it another 10k with no issues before I sold it.

 

DSS works great on my 04.5. Best 200 bux one can spend on a Dodge Cummins.

 

I just had my 06 Mega in for the same problem. Dealer discovered the tierod end that hooks to the pitman arm was shot. All within 10k miles, check em out boys.....

 

Do the 05's have caster as well as alignment or just alignment?

 

Yup...I know all 2500/3500 4x4 have adjustable caster and toe. The camber is not adjustable unless you have bought after adjustable ball joints.