does anyon know how to adjust the backlash in a dodge ram steering box. i have play in my wheel?

Question

i know there is a nut with an allen wrench screw on top. i need to know how much to turn it and which direction.
Thanks, Steve

thanks all. i replaced every rod, link, track bar, ball joint, etc 1st so the box is the only thing left. all else is tight!
ill take yout advice, and thanks again!!

Answer 1

odds are i you have play its going to be the intermediate shaft is bad. its the telescoping shaft that goes between the steering box and steering column.

they are known to go bad on the rams, mine only last 45k miles. i had replaced it with a Borgeson piece and the steering wheel play is just about all but gone (the column itself has some play in it).
just to show how loose these shafts get, after i installed the new intermediate shaft, the steering wheel was off almost 90 degrees, and they only go on 1 way!!

to adjust the steering box though (i dont remember the size of the allen or the nut) put the wrench on the nut, put the allen key in the sector shaft, hold the allen loose the nut, turn the allen clockwise 1/8 of a turn, hold it and then cinch down the nut.

take it for a test drive if its not better go another 1/8, any more then that and use shouldnt be adjusting it anymore.

but like i said, odds are its going to be your intermediate shaft.

Answer 2

If this is a recirculating-ball steering box, it's easy to adjust. If it's rack-and-pinion, well, most of them you have to take them apart and redo the shim packs inside. Sounds like you have an adjustable unit, though.

Be CAREFUL, and test drive SLOWLY when you're all done. If you mess up, you could crash, but that's par for most auto repairs, right?


Get the right tools to fit. Wiggle the steering wheel to get a feel for the amount of play.

Loosen the lock nut, and turn the allen screw, oh, a quarter turn in some direction, it doesn't matter. Wiggle the steering wheel again. Did it get better? Turn it another quarter turn in the same direction. Keep going until either it starts binding, or the play is acceptable (you won't get rid of all the play). If it binds, back off a quarter turn and lock it back down.

If the play got WORSE on the first turn, turn it back the other way.

PROBABLY, if you turn the adjuster CLOCKWISE as you are looking straight down on it, it will press down INTO the box, and tighten things up, since nearly everything on a modern vehicle has right-hand threads. I can't be 100% sure though.

Remember that with right hand threaded fasteners, point your RIGHT thumb in the direction you want the fastener to move, and your fingers will naturally curl in the direction you should turn it.

Answer 3

You already have the right answers above! Be careful for a couple of days after you adjust because if those gears have enough wear in the center, they can bind at the ends of their travel!!!!! Simple way to check most of the other components of that front-end is to have a Friend turn the steering wheel back and forth at a medium to slow speed while you lay watching all the linkage. There should not be any part that "wiggles" or rather one end moves and the other end doesn't even a little.

Answer 4

While this is the adjustment most likely to correct your problem, I would recommend taking to Midas or similar place for an inspection. They are trained and know how to adjust it as well as check other components that could cause looseness in the steering.

Answer 5

maybe it's your pitman arm and steering controls under the truck. steering boxes are usually one of the parts that don't need maintenance or messing with. the old man at the shop told me mis-adjusted steering boxes can be hazardous to one's health.