My output shaft (if thats what you call it) just snapped in half right above the pitman arm. I must have abused this thing Anyone ever have this happen? Luckily I just was turning out of my street and made it about 2inches then pop. No steering.

 

You are a very lucky person! Imagine going through Salt River canyon and have that happen.

 

haha yeah I know I am lucky. I was at forrest lakes that previous weekend doing some trails and for some reason my truck doesnt like pavement

 

Another reason for a DSS, with one this wouldn't have happened
http://www.solidsteel.ca/Products.htm

 

Yeah I know about those braces but I was waiting till I upgraded the box in the first place, I would have never expected it to just break off like that.

 

You really should go here> http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
and file a report, it's easy but you will need your VIN. This type of failure is so dangerous that even if just a couple people report it an investigation will take place and a possible recall forced. They take stuff like this very seriously. You might get reimbursed for new steering box a year from now and others may be saved from injury. Dodge might have to make the DSS type fix a stock or recall item.

I started a complaint campaign on TDR to the NHTSA several years ago that resulted in the throttle cable recall. I'll bet less than 20 people complained. If we hadn't have done it Dodge would have never corrected a problem they well knew existed.
Same with the steering box, Dodge well knows that it's a weak link.
Things like this just shouldn't happen.

 

Hey Bill, what about trac bars? Do you think it is too late to start going after them for these? Death wobble is every bit as dangerous as this steering issue IMO, ESPECIALLY when it goes into DW pulling a trailer.

 

just saw that happen a couple of weeks ago resulted in an accident luckily it was just property damage. 2500 non diesel.

 

ya think the 40" swampers and rigorous trail driving had anything to do w/ that?

 

It's never too late. There are problems that receive recalls far less worse than the death-wobble. Only problem I see is that the trackbar problem is caused by wear, but then again so was the throttle cable. DC pretty much proved they knew the trackbar was a problem by changing the design on the '03.
Certainly doesn't hurt to file a complaint and it's easy.

On the same website you can find all the previous complaints that have been filed for each year and make of every vehicle. Some of the complaints are pretty funny.

 

You guys imply death wobble had a recall? Did I miss something? I thought people just put on new shocks/ new track bar ends and it goes away. Both are kind of wear items, but sounds pretty dangerous when death wobble hits!

 

I would imagine that this is mostly my fault though for putting such a strain on the box with the bigger tires etc. You think I should still post it?

 

honestly? no...

that's what I was getting at w/ my post...

glad it happened at low speeds!!!! that could have been REALLY BAD (don't have to tell YOU that! )

Forrest

 

Jambbii,

I would think that you should still post it because as posted earlier, dodge knows about these problems, shoot they come to this site. So any one that puts in a complaint is very helpful. As a matter of fact I think that enyone that HAS to install a DSS (I will be ordering 2 this week) should complain. Guys with other brand trucks dont have to add $500.+ in aftermarket items to keep their trucks on the road. just my .002

 

Are you saying that snapping the sector shaft in half is a common problem?