Steering box falling apart.

[Yo Hoot]

Everything is tight on my front end except my steering box. The shaft moves all over the place. Guess I need to dump more $$ into it. Suggestions? I do have the shaft support. I put it on years after I got the truck so that explains why it didn't help much.

Also should I do the pump too?

 

[seafish]

The 2012 steering box and power steering pump are a DEFINITE upgrade for 3rd gen trucks. While I haven't actually seen them yet, I have read that they are designed and built from MUCH beefier parts... the way ours should have been in the first place.

Sorry that I can't find the thread right now (think it was on another forum) but maybe someone else can chime in here. I will try again tonight after work to find the thread and part#'s.

 

[rscurtis]

"the way ours should have been in the first place. "



See my post in "tired of this" about the Mercedes ball joints. The steering box is the same size as the Dodge, and it has a REAL ZF power steering pump with a filter in the reservoir.

 

[Bob4x4]

The beast steering box out there right now is a big upgrade and a new part to boot,

irrc 68170214 for the kit that includes the pitman arm for the HUGE sector shaft

it is bigger than the oem 09 box and will work on 03-08 with either the original or new style steering linkage

 

[George Cameron]

Does this require a PS pump upgrade?

 

[Bob4x4]

No it does not,the lines,and intermediate shaft bolt right up.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I don't have a fuzzy feeling using the old pump and lines on the new box. Is there a better pump and how much is it?

 

[crispyboy]

BoB4x4,

I have an 09 truck and just purchased a steering box brace from Hellbent Steel. The options were 03-08 or 09 to current. Of course I used 09 to current.

Are you saying there is a bigger better steering box than my 09 and current models?

 

[Bob4x4]

The new HUGE box is for 03-08 trucks it is nerdier than

09 and up box I haven't looked into retrofitting the big box

Into 09+ trucks Worst case it may take an intermediate shaft

Not sure about the lines



The pumps were improved and bigger reservoirs installed as a

production change(maybe 06-07) they are now the only

pump available at the dealer Pricey at about $1100 irrc

 

[Prairie Dog]

The new HUGE box is for 03-08 trucks it is nerdier than

09 and up box I haven't looked into retrofitting the big box

Into 09+ trucks Worst case it may take an intermediate shaft

Not sure about the lines



The pumps were improved and bigger reservoirs installed as a

production change(maybe 06-07) they are now the only

pump available at the dealer Pricey at about $1100 irrc

"Nerdier"??

Groovy, I'm all for that!

 

[Yo Hoot]

The new HUGE box is for 03-08 trucks it is nerdier than
09 and up box I haven't looked into retrofitting the big box
Into 09+ trucks Worst case it may take an intermediate shaft
Not sure about the lines

The pumps were improved and bigger reservoirs installed as a
production change(maybe 06-07) they are now the only
pump available at the dealer Pricey at about $1100 irrc

$1100 just for the pump? Does it come with a pillow to lay my head on as I raise my arse?

 

[Prairie Dog]

:-laf For that they don't even provide the lube. .

 

[Bob4x4]

$1100 just for the pump? Does it come with a pillow to lay my head on as I raise my arse?

Lol. No but it comes with new brackets and resi shipped unassembled

 

[Superdawg]

I recently sourced a used pump out of a junked recent model truck from LKQ Salvage in the midwest. I was able to get a pump/pulley/reservoir intact and bracket for $125 shipped to my door. It works much better than my old pump.

 

[CPittman]

I think the $1,100 number is for the uprated pump with new reservoir and mounting brackets AND dealer installation. IIRC, Yo Hoot may not trust the dealer to do the install...

 

[SWithrow]

Everything is tight on my front end except my steering box. The shaft moves all over the place. Guess I need to dump more $$ into it. Suggestions? I do have the shaft support. I put it on years after I got the truck so that explains why it didn't help much.
Also should I do the pump too?

Your problem might be the size tires your running.
I just finished installing ball joints and took it for a test drive with the 315/70 17s), then installed 285/70 17s and the steering is totaly different, no more fighting while in parking lots making slow turns. I will never put anything larger than 285s on my truck again. [SIZE=+0] [/SIZE]Just my opinion...

 

[Yo Hoot]

Your problem might be the size tires your running.
I just finished installing ball joints and took it for a test drive with the 315/70 17s), then installed 285/70 17s and the steering is totaly different, no more fighting while in parking lots making slow turns. I will never put anything larger than 285s on my truck again. [SIZE=+0] [/SIZE]Just my opinion...

Imagine what a 900 pound plow does.

I hear ya but there is no reason a truck of this rating should have problems steering a 35" tire with no extra weight.

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[Yo Hoot]

Parts ordered.

I'll take lots of pics and post results.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Talked to Chrysler today. They OK'd a new steering linkage since my recall had never been satisfied.
The pump was $447 after core.

 

[Bob4x4]

"Nerdier"??

Groovy, I'm all for that!

Damn smart phones think they can out spell me... ... .