The Dodge Ram took its name from the Dodge hood ornament used in the 1930s and 1940s. Dodge used the name for the full-size truck line introduced in 1981. The most recent generation launched in 2002 and runs through the 2008 model year. If you experience severe steering problems, one of the causes may be the rack and pinion steering gear.
Check your diagnosis. A number of problems can cause identical steering symptoms. You may need to balance or rotate your tires, align the front end or simply be leaking power steering fluid. If the problem is with your steering rack, you will definitely need a new one.
Drain your power steering fluid and disconnect your battery. Raise and support your front end. Make sure your front wheels point straight and remove them.
Separate the outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckles. Unhook the steering shaft coupler and throw the pinch bolt out. Disconnect the power steering hoses and cap them to avoid contamination.
Remove the faulty rack and pinion and replace it with the new one. Secure the bolts by tightening to 235 foot pounds. Reconnect the hoses and torque the pressure line fitting to 23 foot pounds. Reattach the steering shaft coupler with a new pinch bolt and tighten it to 36 foot pounds. Reattach the outer tie rod ends with the nuts tightened to 45 foot pounds.
Mount your wheels, reconnect the battery and add new fluid. Bleed the air from the system and check the lines for debris. You should adjust the toes to realign the front end, but you may also need a complete alignment.
