Dodge trucks have many rugged off-road components. Unfortunately, the steering shaft from the steering wheel to the steering gear is not one of them. These shafts are notorious for wearing out, leaving an enormous amount of slop in the steering. The problem is the universal joint located on the spline shaft of the steering gear.

Fortunately, a very inexpensive fix is offered by Borgeson Universal for 1979-1993 Dodge Trucks. The installation of this product is discussed in detail in a separate technical article on Dodge trucks' steering slop. There isn't a whole lot to say about installing the Borgeson product. It installs in about 20 minutes with the following tools:

• 3/8 inch socket and ratchet
• 3/8 inch wrench
• small hammer
• small punch

The hammer and punch are used to tap out and replace the roll pin which holds the steering shaft on the steering gear's spline shaft.

In addition to a completely painless installation, the Borgeson unit provides similar instant gratification in performance. The difference in steering feel is dramatic. After installing the shaft in my 1983 Dodge Ramcharger, I drove the truck on highways, loose dirt roads, farm fields, and through about 200 miles of very bad snowstorm. I cannot describe how much more secure I felt driving under all of these conditions after installing the Borgeson shaft.

The Borgeson shaft is sold directly by Borgeson Universal for about $180. They can be reached at:
Borgeson Universal Co., Inc.
187 Commercial Blvd.
Torrington, CT 06790-3098
860-482-8283

If you choose to contact Borgeson Universal as a result of reading this review, please tell them that you heard about their product on off-road.com!

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