Steering Column problems of the 1998 Dodge Ram 2500

Event: pullled up in front of barn to get a load of hay. Moved gear selector lever to reverse to back up to building, but when accelerator was pressed, vehicle moved forward. Failure: internal parts in steering column had become disconnected from each other, the result being that movement of the gear selector lever did not affect the lever at the end of the steering column that is connected to the transmission control rod. The only way that the vehicle could be placed in park, started, or put into a gear position was to raise the hood and move the transmission control rod by hand. Solution: since the steering column is a welded assembly and is not servicable, it was replaced. The old assembly is available for inspection. The assembly part number is p55351175 related complaint: similar to complaint odi id 892310 which was entered as a problem with component : powertrain: automatic transmission: p/n start switch. My problem would have manifested itself in the same way if I had placed the shift lever into park position and had gotten out of the vehicle without setting the brake.

The steering column was no longer operative.

I have recently exerienced what I would describe as a "wandering front end" on my '98 ram. I had a local dealer look at the problem. They spent 0. 60 hrs diagnosing a "slightly worn lower column shaft". They were quick to point out that this may not fix the problem and that perhaps I should continue driving the vehicle in hope that the symptoms would become more evident. I declined any repair. I later went "on-line" and was surprised to find a technical service bulletin on the subject. (TSB 19-10-97 - "steering wander") in addition, I found an entire web site dedicated to this phenomena. (key search, Dodge ram) the stories are very similar to what I am experiencing and some are much worse - scary! I e-mailed daimler Chrysler and asked if they were considering any sort of corrective action. Their answer was no. Ts.