Steering no return to center (left turns)

[jaychris]

I don't *think* this is related to the recent recall for power steering, since this pretty consistent.

On normal driving, taking shallow left hand turns (say, less than 45 degrees), the steering wheel will not return to center when I let go of the wheel. I have to actively pull out of the turn back to center or the truck will just continue to turn left. It doesn't take very much effort to turn back, but it's noticeable because I can't just let the wheel slide back to center out of the turn.

Only happens on left turns. On deeper left turns, the wheel returns to center just fine. Right turns are fine. Also does not seem to happen 100% of the time, but enough that I notice it and look for it now.

I plan to call my service center, but figured I might post this in case it's something simple that can help me avoid a trip to the doctor.

 

[troutspinner]

Check your tire pressure. Mine did that a couple times when I had the stock tires. Since replacing, no issues.

 

[jaychris]

Check your tire pressure. Mine did that a couple times when I had the stock tires. Since replacing, no issues.

Thanks, I'll do that! I'm still on stock tires/wheels at the moment, so hopefully it's that simple.

 

[MFALRAM]

I don't *think* this is related to the recent recall for power steering, since this pretty consistent.

On normal driving, taking shallow left hand turns (say, less than 45 degrees), the steering wheel will not return to center when I let go of the wheel. I have to actively pull out of the turn back to center or the truck will just continue to turn left. It doesn't take very much effort to turn back, but it's noticeable because I can't just let the wheel slide back to center out of the turn.

Only happens on left turns. On deeper left turns, the wheel returns to center just fine. Right turns are fine. Also does not seem to happen 100% of the time, but enough that I notice it and look for it now.

I plan to call my service center, but figured I might post this in case it's something simple that can help me avoid a trip to the doctor.

I had same problem with my steering while turning left it would stick and to bring it back to the right the only way to explain the feeling is like breaking a bolt free from being stuck. I could let go of steering wheel and it would stay going left and it was something in the steering rack they replaced the steering rack and is fine now. Had to call ram to speed up process though.

 

[jaychris]

I had same problem with my steering while turning left it would stick and to bring it back to the right the only way to explain the feeling is like breaking a bolt free from being stuck. I could let go of steering wheel and it would stay going left and it was something in the steering rack they replaced the steering rack and is fine now. Had to call ram to speed up process though.

That's pretty much exactly how mine feels.

 

[CouchAssault]

Mine is doing it. It takes me about an hour of highway driving to start acting up.
I took it in and they cleaned some grounds. I thought it was fixed but I just took a 3 hour drive and it's definitely not.

 

[Douglas31]

Mine is doing it. It takes me about an hour of highway driving to start acting up.
I took it in and they cleaned some grounds. I thought it was fixed but I just took a 3 hour drive and it's definitely not.

Mine is doing the same thing. I don’t know how it is going to be able to be replicated for a fix. I also started noticing a burning smell from the engine compartment starting about three days ago too.

 

[MFALRAM]

Mine is doing the same thing. I don’t know how it is going to be able to be replicated for a fix. I also started noticing a burning smell from the engine compartment starting about three days ago too.

Replicating the issue took a few times before the dealer was able to get the steering to stick while turning left. The dealership I went to was University Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Hamilton, NY. Give your dealership their info they can call them about the fix. Which was a new steering rack. Otherwise the dealership is going to go back and forth with the engineers which takes forever.

 

[RamCares]

I don't *think* this is related to the recent recall for power steering, since this pretty consistent.

On normal driving, taking shallow left hand turns (say, less than 45 degrees), the steering wheel will not return to center when I let go of the wheel. I have to actively pull out of the turn back to center or the truck will just continue to turn left. It doesn't take very much effort to turn back, but it's noticeable because I can't just let the wheel slide back to center out of the turn.

Only happens on left turns. On deeper left turns, the wheel returns to center just fine. Right turns are fine. Also does not seem to happen 100% of the time, but enough that I notice it and look for it now.

I plan to call my service center, but figured I might post this in case it's something simple that can help me avoid a trip to the doctor.

Mine is doing it. It takes me about an hour of highway driving to start acting up.
I took it in and they cleaned some grounds. I thought it was fixed but I just took a 3 hour drive and it's definitely not.

Mine is doing the same thing. I don’t know how it is going to be able to be replicated for a fix. I also started noticing a burning smell from the engine compartment starting about three days ago too.

Hi everyone,
We're sorry that you all are experiencing this concern. We would be happy to have this documented and looked into a bit further for you. Please send us a private message!
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[jaychris]

Hi everyone,
We're sorry that you all are experiencing this concern. We would be happy to have this documented and looked into a bit further for you. Please send us a private message!
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

I have mine scheduled for the dealership shop tomorrow. I'll let you all know what they say.

 

[jaychris]

I took mine in this morning. The truck was well warmed up (I can confirm the issue does not occur on a cold truck; at least not mine) and I was able to repro the issue myself. Rode around with the technician and while the conditions were not ideal for a "full" repro, he was able to experience it enough to the extent that he felt pretty comfortable saying that the problem was not mechanical. In his opinion, the issue had to do with alignment, specifically toe-in/toe-out factory spec or perhaps some other part of the alignment spec. He feels that it's something that will be addressed as the factory spec for alignment is refined.

I did ask him about replacing the rack and apparently in the new RAM, the entire steering mechanism is a single, sealed unit and so would have to be replaced as an entire piece, if that were the problem.

 

[MFALRAM]

I took mine in this morning. The truck was well warmed up (I can confirm the issue does not occur on a cold truck; at least not mine) and I was able to repro the issue myself. Rode around with the technician and while the conditions were not ideal for a "full" repro, he was able to experience it enough to the extent that he felt pretty comfortable saying that the problem was not mechanical. In his opinion, the issue had to do with alignment, specifically toe-in/toe-out factory spec or perhaps some other part of the alignment spec. He feels that it's something that will be addressed as the factory spec for alignment is refined.

I did ask him about replacing the rack and apparently in the new RAM, the entire steering mechanism is a single, sealed unit and so would have to be replaced as an entire piece, if that were the problem.

Hope that’s what it is but I’m putting money on steering rack like mine. If it’s doing the same thing as mine . Good luck hope it all goes well.

 

[LegallyStupid]

Similar situation.
When turning left, the steering wheel does not always return back to center. Also there is a spot on the steering wheel (I am guessing 10 degrees to left) that it feels slightly harder to turn and then much easier. No lane assist. Proper tire inflation.

I reported this to a dealer and they said there was nothing wrong. Actually I reported that I noticed it in both directions, but mostly turning left. Since they rotated my wheels, I now only notice it turning left. This is bad at highway speeds, veering left, there is a barrier or vehicle next to you and if you don't react quickly, you will collide. Add ice/snow to this wheel jerk, I am extremely concerned.

I intend on following up with the service department again shortly, but I'd appreciate having some feedback to assist them.

 

[blownout1500]

Similar situation.
When turning left, the steering wheel does not always return back to center. Also there is a spot on the steering wheel (I am guessing 10 degrees to left) that it feels slightly harder to turn and then much easier. No lane assist. Proper tire inflation.

I reported this to a dealer and they said there was nothing wrong. Actually I reported that I noticed it in both directions, but mostly turning left. Since they rotated my wheels, I now only notice it turning left. This is bad at highway speeds, veering left, there is a barrier or vehicle next to you and if you don't react quickly, you will collide. Add ice/snow to this wheel jerk, I am extremely concerned.

I intend on following up with the service department again shortly, but I'd appreciate having some feedback to assist them.

I HAVE EXACTLY THIS GOING ON. Exactly, 100%.

 

[blownout1500]

I HAVE EXACTLY THIS GOING ON. Exactly, 100%.

Similar situation.
When turning left, the steering wheel does not always return back to center. Also there is a spot on the steering wheel (I am guessing 10 degrees to left) that it feels slightly harder to turn and then much easier. No lane assist. Proper tire inflation.

I reported this to a dealer and they said there was nothing wrong. Actually I reported that I noticed it in both directions, but mostly turning left. Since they rotated my wheels, I now only notice it turning left. This is bad at highway speeds, veering left, there is a barrier or vehicle next to you and if you don't react quickly, you will collide. Add ice/snow to this wheel jerk, I am extremely concerned.

I intend on following up with the service department again shortly, but I'd appreciate having some feedback to assist them.

You can actually feel it when stopped as a sticky spot in the wheel rotation just left of center. Super concerning on highway when it “sticks” mid way through a left curve and you have to gently unstuck it as the road straightens out. Mines gradually getting worse.

 

[Whiskey_tango]

I have exact same issue.

 

[Whiskey_tango]

I was planning on bringing up a few issues, such as this steering problem and a grossly misaligned door, when I go to dealer for first oil change. Is this generally what people are doing or are they going back to their dealer sooner?

 

[Steelwheelz]

Have the same exact problem with mine as well! Steering sticks to the left and won't always return to center. Took it to the dealer and they said the same thing, "Can't find anything wrong". After pulling out of the dealership and getting on the highway, the truck proceeded to do the same thing. I'm going to take it back and hopefully they can figure something out. This is a big problem! They thought the steering recall was going to solve it.

 

[RAMRhode]

Just an observation. It would be a real big service to all of us on here to know your truck build and build date so that others with similar stats can see if this is something that might affect our trucks. Easy to add in your signature.

 

[MFALRAM]

Have the same exact problem with mine as well! Steering sticks to the left and won't always return to center. Took it to the dealer and they said the same thing, "Can't find anything wrong". After pulling out of the dealership and getting on the highway, the truck proceeded to do the same thing. I'm going to take it back and hopefully they can figure something out. This is a big problem! They thought the steering recall was going to solve it.

The problem is it’s intermittent and it took them 2 times with a technician riding with me to see what I was dealing with. They ended up replacing the steering rack. No problems since. Look in beginning of the thread I gave out the dealership that fixed mine . Your dealer should contact them and get a better idea of the problem.