When I purchased my '97 2500 4WD CTD a few weeks ago, (128K miles), part of the deal was that my Dodge dealer would replace the torque/track rod and the seller would pay for it. That went OK, I guess, anyway, it's replaced and cost me nothing additional.

When the dealer finished he slid under the front of my truck and said he was going to tighten up the steering a little for me. I'm sure he adjusted the steering gear box, "mesh," adjusting screw. It might have helped a little, but not enough. When I drive down a smooth road at about 35 mph or so, I still have about an inch play where I hold the outside of the steering wheel. It is not bad, but quite noticable after I drive a rack-and-pinion passenger car in good condition, and just means I frequently have to, "steer," more.

Here's my question: after the mechanic adjusted my steering, my steering wheel is not, "horizontal," any longer, (sits crooked a bit when wheels are pointed straight). Makes sense actually, as taking up slack probably pulled the steering wheel slightly to one side. When you guys adjust steering do you have the same thing happen??? In the old days, we would just pull the steering wheel off, line it up horizontal again, and put it back on. I ask because I don't think this little, local dealer is real sharp on this stuff.

The rest of my steering parts check out good so not sure where to go from here. I've been reading, "search," subjects in this forum to learn more. As soon as I save up $209 plus shipping, I'm going to order the DSS stabilizer that anchors the front frame side-to-side and provides a bearing for the lower steering box shaft.

Thoughts, comments or additional suggestions to my plan are appreciated, Dennis

 

Adjust the steering with the link close to the steering box loosen the 2 bolts and turn

 

the little nut on top of the gear will do very little and I wouldn't mess with it...you ened to get the thrust bearing preload adjustment done

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm

most of them come loose from autozone/napa...they need to be tightened before installation...it eliminates most of the play

 

Thanks, Mr. T. One question: when you said, "....most of them come loose from Autozone/NAPA...they need to be tightened....," are you talking about the installation of a new thrust bearing?

Or, asking another way, what comes loose from NAPA?

Thanks, I think I'm getting somewhere.

Dennis