Didn't know where to post this Question but have lots of Bright people here ( and some others who ? )I have a 1964 Dodge D 100 It was my parents camper truck.Just recently the steering has gone a wandering on it. Nothingis loose underneath I can see. Of course no local shop will touch it or even look at it " Cant Get The Parts "Some where in the back of my mind I remember the old steering gear boxes had an adjustment on them ??Anyone have any suggestions ??It is a bit of a classic and purrs like a kitten, coming up on 80,000miles.Aloha Leon

check the bolts that bolt the gearbox to the frame.also check the idler arm

There is a stud with a slot for a screwdriver locked in place by a jam nut on top of the steering box. Loosen the jam nut and then tighten the stud gently. If you tighten too much you can lock the steering or lose steering to one side. Check this before driving! I had a '62 dodge in high school and it did this. It always was loose though. I replaced lots of steering components which didn't help much.Dave

On my old dodge, follow the steering column as it exits the firewall, there is a knuckle, this was stripped out and the parts store had one in stock. Had to anticipate a turn and start cranking the wheel before I got to it. Drove slow untill I got home.

You have to look at the whole system with a helper. Someone needs to sit in the truck and gently work the steering wheel back and forth while you look at everything. I dont remember what system that old of a truck uses but it could well be a solid beam axle. Look at each tie rod end for any movement. Look at any rubber bushings and spring mounts. Lift the front end off the ground and check for play. be careful when adjusting the gearbox as it can be worn and tightening the screw in the worn area results in to tight of a feel as the wheel is turned. There may be a combination of several loose areas. Rubber parts also deteriorate with time.

Check for loose parts first. If everything checks out ok go for an adjustment on the gear box. Parts are still available, you just have to find a place willing to work with you!

Old Old Old Dodge truck Mechanical question | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

zogg
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
raygreg wrote:
look here , lots of parts for old dodge
http://www.rockauto.com/

I was able to buy a lot of parts from Rock auto for my 1969 Ford Galaxie last year....they have lots of stuff for older cars
dpatt67
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
Check out sweptline.org for most any knowledge you might need to know. Great trucks!
Sport45
Explorer II
Oct 01, 2013
Has the alignment been checked?
whsk
Explorer
Sep 30, 2013
check LMC truck.com for dodge parts-they have a lot for the old style dodge trucks-whsk
Pineapple_Kid
Explorer
Sep 30, 2013
What a great bunch of advise !!

Thanks a million I will get back when I do the research and find the problem.

It sure is nice to have a post with solid comments and not all the BS that most posts have.

Thanks again and Aloha
Leon
bguy
Explorer
Sep 30, 2013
Is this truck power steering?
The first thing to check if you have no worn out BJs or TR ends or pitman/idler arms, is see if you have any looseness in the pot coupling. If all that is tight you can perform a sector shaft adjustment. One of the above posts is close but not quite on the procedure.
Sundance07
Explorer
Sep 30, 2013
ScottG wrote:
Mikepy wrote:
On my old dodge, follow the steering column as it exits the firewall, there is a knuckle, this was stripped out and the parts store had one in stock. Had to anticipate a turn and start cranking the wheel before I got to it. Drove slow until I got home.

This is my best bet. This knuckle was used throughout the Dodge truck and car lineup into the nineties and is readily available. It's a terrible part that wears out quickly but at least it's easy to repair. Some times its housing is worn as well as the inside parts - the housing is the most expensive part and I think I paid $50 for it last time.

I agree.

More often than not it is the steering shaft. Borgeson makes the replacements.
mowermech
Explorer
Sep 30, 2013
Factory service manuals are often available for those old Dodge/Fargo trucks on eBay.
Chiltons also has manuals available for them.
I have both for my 1977 Dodge.

Look here:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC1.A0.X1964+Dodge+truck+service+manual&_nkw=1964+Dodge+truck+service+manual&_sacat=0&_from=R40
ScottG
Nomad
Sep 30, 2013
Mikepy wrote:
On my old dodge, follow the steering column as it exits the firewall, there is a knuckle, this was stripped out and the parts store had one in stock. Had to anticipate a turn and start cranking the wheel before I got to it. Drove slow until I got home.

This is my best bet. This knuckle was used throughout the Dodge truck and car lineup into the nineties and is readily available. It's a terrible part that wears out quickly but at least it's easy to repair. Some times its housing is worn as well as the inside parts - the housing is the most expensive part and I think I paid $50 for it last time.
raygreg
Explorer
Sep 30, 2013
look here , lots of parts for old dodge
http://www.rockauto.com/