Has anyone had a problem with loose steering on the '03?
I told the dealer that I have driven the '02's and they had tight steering and they told me that the '03's were looser and that was normal.
Just wondering if anyone else has noticed that.

 

Steering isn't "loose" an inappropriate description. The steering is very light and quick as befits the change to rack & pinion. The steering may get "loose" many miles later as the system wears. The steering is so good on my truck that it literally makes other vehicles feel like junk.

 

I have the '03 2500 4X4 and mine is not a rack and pinion. Think this applies only to the 1500's. I had the opposite problem with mine, a very tight steering. The dealer found a defective steering box and changed it for a new one. I don't consider my steering loose.

 

Cummins1279, Your dealer is sick in the head. The 03's are about 1000% tighter steering than the 02'. Everybody I have sold an 03' to has commented on how much better they steer than the old bodystyle.

 

Funny thing happens with mine...

I just TURN that little wheel counter clockwise and the truck MOVES on over towards my left. Turn it the other way and it just MOVES on over towards my right. It's the weirdest thing....

 

[quote author=Mexstan link=board=17;threadid=18501;start=0#msg173729 date=1061176100]
I have the '03 2500 4X4 and mine is not a rack and pinion. Think this applies only to the 1500's. I had the opposite problem with mine, a very tight steering. The dealer found a defective steering box and changed it for a new one. I don't consider my steering loose.
[/quote]

I thought all 2wd trucks (1500, 2500, and 3500) were rack and pinion and the 4wd were solid front axle? Perhaps I'm wrong. Can't remember for sure.

 

The steering was ok when we bought it and like I said in my last post, the '02's I've driven were much tighter than this. It will actually "wander" on the hwy now. I've driven enough trucks to know that it shouldn't be like that. Oh, and by the way I agree about our dealer's service department. :- All I ever hear from them is "That's normal".
Anyway thanks for the responses

 

My truck has rack and pinion. Two wheel drive and 2500. Driving this truck I will NEVER go back to the old steering box system. Tight and nice to drive. One of the many reasons I didn't get another 4 wheel drive.

 

Mine's tight, quick, smooth, and straight. Best thing I've ever driven. And it is a 4x4 with the recirculating ball steering gear. Four out of five dentists recommend the '03 steering over the '02 (and the fifth is a closet Ford lover). If your's isn't as good, something's wrong.

 

This new front end is the cats jammers. Tight, quick, short turning radius - - responds like a big sports car. No comparison to the old ones.

 

Thanks guys! I didn't figure Dodge would make a new truck with loose steering

 

After putting 90K miles on the wandering '97 the new truck is a dream. Finally got the wander out of the '97 with aftermarket parts.

 

Update:
I just got back from the dealer today and they said that Dodge knows about the "wander" in the steering and is looking for a fix. In the mean time, just live with it.