RAM 2500 Truck 2WD L6-359 5.9L DSL Turbo VIN D FI (1997)
Steering Gear: Customer Interest
Steering Gear - Steering Wander
NO: 19-10-97
GROUP: Steering
DATE: Aug. 15, 1997
SUBJECT:
Steering Wander
MODELS:
1994-1998 (BR)
Ram Truck
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Vehicle operators may complain that when driving on a straight road, a higher than normal steering wheel movement (perceived as excessive play) is
required to keep the vehicle going straight or may describe of having to over compensating the steering to keep the vehicle from wandering.
NOTE:
THIS SYMPTOM SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH VEHICLE WANDERING DUE TO SLOW OR POOR STEERING
RETURNABILITY.
DIAGNOSIS:
1.
Drive the vehicle on a smooth straight road to verify that the vehicle does require higher than average amount of steering wheel movement to be
able to keep the vehicle from wandering.
2.
If the vehicle responds to normal steering wheel input (steering wheel can be held steady to keep the vehicle going straight), however the vehicle
still drifts/wanders, see Technical Service Bulletin 05-03-97, dated March 17, 1997 for information regarding Chassis Dynamics Diagnosis.
NOTE:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO THROUGHLY PERFORM THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION INSPECTION PROCEDURE OF TECHNICAL
SERVICE BULLETIN 05-03-97 FOR VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT A DRIFT/WANDER BUT RESPOND TO NORMAL STEERING WHEEL
INPUT.
If a higher than normal steering wheel movement is required to keep the vehicle from wandering (vehicle slow to respond to normal steering wheel
input), then perform the Over-Center Adjustment Repair Procedure.
PART REQUIRED:
AR (1)
06504926AA
Bolt, Intermediate Shaft, Pinch
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
This bulletin involves performing the over-center and if necessary, the worm thrust bearing preload adjustments on the steering gear.
OVER-CENTER ADJUSTMENT
1.
Find the center of the steering gear travel by rotating the steering wheel completely to the left then, rotate the steering wheel to the right while
counting the numbers of turns required to reach the end of travel.
2.
Rotate the steering wheel to the left 1/2 the number of turns counted in the previous step. This position should be the center of the steering gear
travel.
