Steering problem

Hi let me say that Im new to this forum and I need some help.I recently aquired a 1991 full size doge ram van.It has the 318 auto trans.I think its a 250 but might be the 2500.
My problem is with the steering and its coming from a worn out part on the outside of the steering column where it connects to the gear box.There is a shaft that connects the 2 together with either a universal joint or knuckle like part.There looks like that there is an allen type screw on each end of the shaft securing it to where it connects the gear box and the steering column together. There is alot of play causing the vehicle to handle very sloppy like.I thought maybe it was called an intermediate steering shaft but I could be wrong.Can anyone tell me what it is called and where I might be able to find this part?

When I was in the biz it was called a steering coupler, I would check at a NAPA store if they don't have it I would hit the junk yards. The last place I wanna buy parts for my van is the dealer. :nono:

When I was in the biz it was called a steering coupler, I would check at a NAPA store if they don't have it I would hit the junk yards. The last place I wanna buy parts for my van is the dealer. :nono:

It is a coupler that I found out and strickly a dealer part only unless you want to chance buying something from the boneyard which may last and may not.I only want to change the part once so I`ll go with new one.I`ll call around some more places amd see if I can find it in an autoparts store but if not I can the guts and the body for about $90

I have the same problem well almost the same problem. I bought what was suppose to be a new part ( steering coupling assembly ) from http://www.wholesalemopar.com/?iorb=4764 Trina
The part looks dirty to me but Trina claims it is a preservative grease.
I will have to go to a dodge dealer and ask if it is new or not. She said if it is used they will replace it, she said sending a used part instead of new does happen some times which I felt was very candid of her.

My problem is that I am mechanically challenged, I have removed the top bolt and the bottom bolt but can't get the part out. The space is too tight for the part to come out even with these two bolts taken out, what more do I have to take apart to get the part out and replace it with the new part ?

I need to know what I need to do to replace this part ( how to get it out step by step )

Thanks in advance

Well today is your lucky day, I haven't posted here since the above post.


First pull the carpet/mat away from where the column goes through the floor, You will see three screws holding the black plate to the floor. Remove them then remove the lower dash panel under the column. You will see two nuts on two long studs holding the column to the dash.

Before removing them reach up on top of the column and dis-connect your shift indicator cable, This can be done with your fingers. Once the cable is loose remove the two nuts and drop the column down just enough to clear the studs then slide back out of the floor just enough to get the coupling out because wires are still hooked to the column. Reverse the dis-assembly but leave the two nuts/studs loose and tighten the floor plate first.

You will probably need a buddy to give a hand on this little project....

Good Luck

Well today is your lucky day, I haven't posted here since the above post.


First pull the carpet/mat away from where the column goes through the floor, You will see three screws holding the black plate to the floor.
Good Luck

First of all I can't thank you enough for the quick response and after reading my question to the group if STEERING COUPLING ASSEMBLY is not what the parts name is then i can certainly understand not getting the info i was looking for, but that is the name i was given by the web site person

The part i'm trying to replace is in the engine compartment. I think it looks like an upside down bell ( the eyes of the beholder ) located on the steering column near the steering box.

At one end, the part is connected to the accordian like rubber boot on the steering column. The lower end is female and splined. The part sits between two bolts. I have removed the two bolts but I am not able to remove the part. It would seem that I have to loosen something else too but I don't know what. The rod that connects to the steering column that seems to be the part connected to the steering wheel that causes the wheel to turn is still attached too. I do realize my explanation is not all that clear but seems to be the best i can do

I will of course answer all questions to help you help me?

Thanks in advance;

:smokin: Hi let me say that Im new to this forum and I need some help.I recently aquired a 1991 full size doge ram van.It has the 318 auto trans.I think its a 250 but might be the 2500.
My problem is with the steering and its coming from a worn out part on the outside of the steering column where it connects to the gear box. Can anyone tell me what it is called and where I might be able to find this part?

http://www.wholesalemopar.com/?iorb=4764

I bought from here for 65.00 plus tax

If you have replaced this part can you please tell me how you did it step by step ? I cannot get it out :banghead:

Would greatly appreciate any help;

The instructions that restrorob gave you apply to the part you want to change. The steering column has to be pulled up for the clearance to replace the coupler at the steering box.

The instructions that restrorob gave you apply to the part you want to change. The steering column has to be pulled up for the clearance to replace the coupler at the steering box.
Thank you, I'll give it a shot

Well, I went out and took a pic of the coupler in my van to post and reassure you my instructions were correct. Then found alloro had already replied.

Good luck with your repair....

Well, I went out and took a pic of the coupler in my van to post and reassure you my instructions were correct. Then found alloro had already replied.

Good luck with your repair....

They don't come any thicker than me, sorry for the extra look but
I really do appreciate your help very much

No problem Berry.....:thumbsup:

No problem Berry.....:thumbsup:

LOL.....I'm back, hope you are around.
I have everything apart. The column is in two. The problem I am having is the upside down bell will not budge ( the end with the splines ) I have disconnected the top part, so what i have is one end is like a plunger attached with the rubber boot going into the top of the bell shaped thingy ( no i'm not a girl..... LOL ) the bottom part with the splines will not budge ( I have the bottom bolt off, just the loose collar on ) What more do I need to do to get the splined end off ( i don't know ) do I have to line up the female splines with the male splines ? just doesn't budge it's tight and doesn't move .....Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp ?........:banghead:

Any help would be very much appreciated, signed SITTING....LOL

On some models there is a roll pin that has to be knocked out. Sometimes the roll pin is covered by a plastic plug. Do you see anything that might look like that? The rubber boot (dust cover) might have to be moved out of the way for you to see it.

sounds like you need a pitmon arm puller and a pickle fork..you can rent these at autozone..

sounds like you need a pitmon arm puller and a pickle fork..you can rent these at autozone..

I might not be understanding. The side the rubber boot is on is disconnected from the column ok. the other end is where it is hung up, it's where the splined male end is, there is NO movement at all. A friend of mine suggested liquid wrench which I will pick up today. I put wd-40 on it last night. I'm not encouraged by this idea because of NO movement AT ALL. Maybe I have to undo something on the round piece it is connected to. I thought all I had to do was unscrew the bolt above the rubber boot and the bolt on the bottom that fits around the splined area then unscrew the bolts in the floor board and under the dash to loosen the column so I could privide the room to pull this part out bit it's not moving

Thanks for your quick response, if my info causes you to think of something else please let me know I'm stuck
Thanks

and the bolt on the bottom that fits around the splined area

Where this bolt came out...you might have to wedge something in-between the two halves of the clamp that the bolt squeezed together. That should break it's grip on the splined shaft and allow you to slide it off.

Where this bolt came out...you might have to wedge something in-between the two halves of the clamp that the bolt squeezed together. That should break it's grip on the splined shaft and allow you to slide it off.

The collar that I took the bottom bolt out of ( I call it a collar or clamp that the bottom bolt came out of )moves freely, it's very loose, that is why I didn't remove it. I could wedge something in between and take it off but it is so loose I can move it around at will

Thank you for the response

It's been a while since I actually layed eyes on one of those splined shafts. But if I recall correctly, there is one tooth missing that lines up with a flat spot on the collar. If the collar has slipped down and turned as you've just described, then your problem might be as simple as realigning those two spots and sliding the collar right off the shaft.

It's been a while since I actually layed eyes on one of those splined shafts. But if I recall correctly, there is one tooth missing that lines up with a flat spot on the collar. If the collar has slipped down and turned as you've just described, then your problem might be as simple as realigning those two spots and sliding the collar right off the shaft.

Thank you alloro, I have had similar thoughts but wanted to wait for further instuctions so I didnt mess things up, i'm inclined to think you're right, I don't know what else it could be.

Another question if I may. The rubber boot ( dust cover ) is connected to the part i want to replace ( the upside down bell like part. It seems I'm going to have to ruin the rubber like accrdian shaped boot as it is stuck at both ends. Is there a way to peel the rubber boot off, ( one didn't come with the new part, god forbid they would give you all you need

Thank you in advance

If there's no clamp it might be glued. If that's the case, just work a small screwdriver under and around it to break it free. You can either reglue it after or put a big hose clamp on it.

If there's no clamp it might be glued. If that's the case, just work a small screwdriver under and around it to break it free. You can either reglue it after or put a big hose clamp on it.

Good advice thank you that is what I will try to do

appreciate all your advice Alloro

appreciate all your advice Alloro

I'm not always right, but I always try. :naughty:
You're welcome.