2000 Ram 2500 steering wander

I have a 2000 Ram 2500 V10 4x4, and I had the tie rod ends and ball joints replaced. The truck still wanders while going down the road, so I had a buddy move the wheel while I watched underneath, and it appears the steering gear is loose. The steering shaft moves quite a bit before making the pitman arm move. Is the gear something I can adjust/tighten, or does it call for replacement? And how hard is it to remove?

They are known for the shaft being loose in the steering gearbox.

Here's one fix. http://www.dodgeramsteeringstabilizer.com/

Here's a fix for the track bar. http://lukeslink.com/

The steering gear can be adjusted. There is a locknut and worm gear adjustment screw on top of the steering box. What I've done is jack the front end of the truck up and get under the front of it to inspect play in the output shaft of the steering gearbox where the pitman arm is connected. If you push back and forth on the steering gearbox shaft and feel play, you can try to adjust the box to eliminate the slop. Loosen the locknut on top of the steering box and use an appropriately sized allen wrench to tighten the worm gear adjustment screw. This screw must not be turned in too tightly, only just enough to remove the pitman arm slop. Hold the adjustment screw in position and turn the locknut down to hold it in place. Now, let the truck down and take it for a test drive. If this doesn't fix your issue, then you will likely need to replace the steering box.

If you find that you need to replace the steering box, it's not too hard. The hardest part for me was removing the pitman arm (you will need a pitman arm puller to do this) and removal of the hoses (sometimes, they can be rusted on - use plenty of PB Blaster, along with a good flare nut wrench).

Thanks! Hopefully I can tighten the shaft and save myself $200 on a new box. I took another look, the box doesn't look too bad to remove, but like all of my projects I'm sure it will take me 3x longer than it should and two trips to town if I have to replace it.

don't adjust the gearbox too much at a time. If too tight you will have a problem with the steering not centering after a turn. just go 1/2 turn at a time.

My truck has a newer box and it still wanders. I believe you can use a box from a newer ram, but not sure on the specifics. For me, driving old 60s/70s cars that did the same, I don't really even think about it when I drive my truck. My only problem is driving something that doesn't wonder, I over correct all the time

The link that Sputnik posted shows the frame mounted stabilizer. THIS is the best investment to cure wander.If your box is decent, put one of these on your truck. You'll wonder why the factory didn't do this...it'll be a totally different ride!!
We started using these at the dealership a few years back, and you wouldn't believe the customers that came back in and said their truck never steered that good from day one. For a couple hundred bucks, I think you cannot NOT afford to try this. Takes about 1 hour to do.

Excellent advice! Thanks guys. My son was born Sunday so I haven't had a chance to mess with it, too busy getting acquainted with my new buddy I'll get on it soon so the boy can have a ride in it instead of mom's Grand Caravan

Here is a similar option for the steering stabilizer for either 2WD or 4WD RAMs - I like these better, since they are made of bar stock instead of a bent piece of steel - they are also less expensive, too.

http://www.custom-diesel.com/dodge-parts-kits/dodge-steering-stablizers.html

As for a good replacement track bar, this is the cure:

http://www.solidsteel.biz/datb.htm (Track Bar)

http://www.solidsteel.biz/tbk.htm (Bracket)

I use these parts on my '96 Ram 2500 4x4 and they work great..

http://www.dtprofab.com/TRAC-BARS-STEERING_c_26.html