2019 RAM 1500 BH steering "notch" issue that according to the local dealership doesn't exist? About 10 degrees off center and to the left the steering falls into a notch or that's what it feels like when driving it. It doesn't do it right away nor can you feel it sitting still but for sure after a little driving it drops into this "notch", sticks there and takes about 2-3 times the normal power steering push or pull to get it out of it. Scary when you first have it happen. My best friend even has a video of him on I80 going around a left hand sweeper with no hands on the wheel, the steering locked into the notch and pulling a trailer. His wife took the video.

Three weekends ago I drove the truck 120 miles with a dual sport motorcycle in the back down and back from an adventure ride in central Ohio through Amish country. Followed my friend and his brother on their big V-twin adventure bikes and experience the unnerving "notch" and some loud knocking or loud clicking sounds as the truck would pitch side to side on the old two lane back country farm roads. I Didn't say anything until we got back from the ride and when I said "what's with the notch and sticking steering?" my friend says "Doesn't happen and no there isn't a knocking noise either". I said "what do you mean, I felt it and it is scary the first few times you feel it and even more scary when it sticks and you cross the center lines!" He said the dealer says it doesn't happen and they drove it a full 3 miles (he noted the odometer when he dropped it off) and couldn't feel anything out of the norm.

I'm heading over to the RAM dealer in a bit to give them my story and experience as my friend is dropping off the truck later today at around 4 pm. I know the sister of the owner and she runs the service department and hopefully she has someone take it for a much longer test ride. I know a road that is a few miles south of the dealership that hopefully will pull up the issue.

Anyone ever heard of this "notching" issue? It almost feels like a worn out steering ball joint but I would think it would be notched with the steering wheel centered going straight and not 10 degrees (left) off center.

Thanks for reading.

Mike

How many miles? Sounds like it could be a tight steering shaft joint. Inspect the joints closely at each cap seal area for any signs of red dust. That usually is a tell tale sign.

Dang, sorry I forgot to say there's just a few hundred miles over 33,000 miles on it. Not enough to think anything would have more than normal wear. The truck seldom or ever sees anything but paved roads and maybe a graded fairly smooth dirt road. This is my friend's 4th or 5th RAM truck and never any issues with the others.

Thanks,

Mike

Seizing joint comes to mind right away. Especially here in the rust belt.

If you can, get the front wheels off the ground, and slowly rotate the steering wheel lock to lock. It should be smooth. If you feel notches every 180 or 90 degrees, the joints are suspect.

Never heard of it.... will be interesting to figure out I’m sure. Btw don’t ever submerge the electric steering unit.

Heard (pun) today that they are fixing the clicking or knocking sound under the driver's seat/door that "is not there" with a body mount recall bulletin. Nothing yet on the steering notch that's not there either

let you know.

Mike

Is this your video? Otherwise you're not alone. He lists a TSB addressing the issue. Sounds like a rack issue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5lt2cFRocE

THAT'S IT EXACTLY!!!!!! and no that's not my friend or friend's RAM. THANKS FOR POSTING THAT

Sent the link to my friend and he will probably send it to the dealer's service manager. Thanks again.

Mike

Just called the dealer's service manager and gave him the TSB and you tube link and he pulls the TSB up and says "it doesn't apply to your friend's RAM VIN". I said it's exactly the problem and I worked for over 33 years with a company and worked with NHTSA and EPA, and CARB and the CPSC doing recalls and there were ALWAYS VIN's and products that fell through the holes or gray areas and this problem on my friend's RAM is one of those. How could both of us describe EXACTLY the problem as in the TSB and the video if it isn't happening. If my friend or I had seen this video before today we would have told the service manager to take a look at it and to check TSB 19-002-18 back when the problem first reared its dangerous head. Note in the video how it crosses the center line and does that even with your hands on the steering wheel unsuspectingly if you're not on top of it......like reaching for the A/C or another control for just a split second.

Mike

If it only does it in one spot it's not likely to be a joint or anything other than a rack. Regardless of whether your friends truck fits within the TSB or not, it still needs a rack. TSBs are not an authorization for a warranty repair outside the vehicles basic warranty so it really doesn't matter if it falls within the TSB or not.

This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or after August 03, 2018 (MDH 0803XX) andon or before August 28, 2018 (MDH 0828XX)

So “assuming” this is a DT body not a DS.... there’s 2 1500s in 19.

So DT is the new style and DS is the classic?

Agree the TSB is too vague and I don't think even if the VIN fell into the window it doesn't have anything to do with the truck's steering "notch" and lock issue. My friend told me the dealer's service manage ordered a new steering rack and new body mounts and will be covered by the normal 36K warranty Thanks everyone

Mike