I have a 2005 Ram CTD 4X4 that is making some noise somewhere in the front suspension.
While inspection to find what the culprit could be, found that while even moderately hitting the tie rods (with my hand) a 'loose' noise was heard at the steering gearbox. Discovered that if I pried (gently) on the pitman arm against the steering box to take up the end play, the noise was gone.
Checked it with a dial indicator and found .020 endplay.

I am relatively certain this is the source of the noise. I am pretty sure this can be corrected with the adjustment screw is this box works like the ones in 1960's Mopar pasenger cars.

Any Mopar techs or anyone that has experienced this situation? What is the factory spec on the steering gear output shaft endplay?
**edit** truck has 60,000 miles if that matters

Thanks in advance.

What is the CTD model? 1500 2500 3500 ?
I thought all RAM trucks from 2003 on used rack and pinion setups.

Sorry, cummins turbo diesel 2500 quad cab.

.020 is normal they all have some movement up and down even if it's brand new. Adjusting the sector gear preload is to tighten gear mesh and on center feel. Making it to tight will make it misserable to drive. Do you have alot of steering wheel play? If so check the track bar. Is the noise you are hearing over bumps? If so with the truck on the ground rock the truck side to side and check the front sway bar links. The ball socket ends go bad quite frequently.

You can lay under the front of the truck with it running. CAREFULLY reach up and turn the steering column shaft back and forth and look at the suspension move. Watch out for the fan!

My truck developed a similar noise. At first it'd only happen when the truck 'rocked' from side to side backing out of the drive over a curb. I could feel it in the steering, but it didn't seem to do it while driving down the road.

Eventually it got more pronounced and I was able to narrow down what was happening. It ended up being the upper bushing on the track bar. I got new ones and installed them myself, no re-alignment or special tools required.

As for the steering box, I preemptively added a steering brace. I've got 35" tires and drive on rough roads, so it's pretty cheap way to take a LOT of the load off of the steering box.

Ben