steering wheel slop

[edbrycem]

Can anybody tell me if it is normal to have atleast an inch of play in my steering wheel turning ft -rt? it is a 98 dodge ram. I put a new steering gear box in it and it is still there. it feels like everything is tight in the front end but i am constantly turning left to right to go straight.

[LeSabre97mint]

Hello

Have you looked at the arm coming out of the steering box when you turn the wheel? Does it move with the steering wheel? If not, the box may need to be adjusted. There is a adjustment screw on the top with a locknut. Hold the screw with a screw driver and loosen the nut. Turn the screw in a bit and test the slack. It is possible to get it too tight.

Regards

Dan

[HEMIDAZE]

Due to the geometry of the linkage it is nornal to have some slop at the max turn position in both directions.

[edbrycem]

ok, it is all moving, including the tires so it all appears to be tight, but i am steering it to go straight. I've been told its common for these trucks and that in the 99 models they put a heavier duty gear box . i gues i'll just play "dukes of hazzard" going down the road.

[HEMIDAZE]

Constantly steering left and right to go straight could be caused by the front end alignment being "toed out". You may want to have it checked. This has no affect on slop though.

[edbrycem]

i dont think its alignment cuz i can let go of thesteering wheel and it pretty much goes straight, a little drift to the right but not bad, and also i can turn the wheel lt - rt (about 11 oclock and 1 oclock) goin down the road and still go straight.

[edbrycem]

replaced track bar inner and outer tie rod ends and everythin else that had a ball joint end on it not including the actual ball joints, those were good. that seems to have fixed it. theres a little slop but with new front joints i know its not that so i'll just live w/ it.