04.5 steering gear

[Jack in Alaska]

Today my steering gear box "grenaded" just before leaving Az. for Alaska. I just had new ball jts. installed as well as front axle u-jts. THe steering had a a tight feeling as it would not return to center after slight turns either left or right. If it was a turn around an intersection it was fine. That tightness caused the truck to wander back and forth and pulling a 5th. whl. with that condition is not fun.

I returned to the repair shop, they took all of their previous work apart and it was ok. Checked tie rod ends--ok. The box was still tight. One on order for tomorrow morning install.

Ghe only thing that has not been replaced is the horn button.

 

[WalterJ]

I went thru a steering box replacement last year. Long story short, only the latest dealer box & drag link assy. work as a unit, and what a beefy one it is! Costly? yes. I thought the Geno's garage replacement would work (& so did they), but no-joy, and it was returned with no issues. The latest steering gear box & link assy. looks like it belongs to a Mack truck! Safe travels.

 

[AEdelheit]

Sounds more like an issue with the new ball joints being tight then a steering box. Sometimes they loosen up... .

 

[NIsaacs]

It sounds like they messed with the box, either the pitman gear adjustment or the input shaft preload. What you describe are the symptoms.



Nick

 

[PFranzese]

I had those exact same steering issues and symptoms, turned out to be an upper ball joint on the driver side that was seizing up after 70k miles. Was the steering like this before the front end work also?

 

[cerberusiam]

What ball joints did they use? A lot of these cheaper ones are known for memory steer which it sounds like you found out about.

 

[AEdelheit]

The most expensive ballpoints have had that problem too. Could also be a costor problem, might need a little more

 

[Jack in Alaska]

No the steering was fine before the ball joints were replaced.
Steering box replaced today with a stock Mopar unit. Time was of the essence. The old box had partially seized up and was very difficult and jerky when turning it with a pipe wrench.
Truck steers fine again so on the road in the morning.
Thanks for the help and replies.

 

[BDaugherty]

It sounds like they messed with the box, either the pitman gear adjustment or the input shaft preload. What you describe are the symptoms.

Nick

That was my first thought as well. If someone over adjusted the preload of the sector gear into the worm gear, it will bind when it passes center.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

In Utah tonight. Truck doing great.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

In Anchorage, Alaska tonight. Truck still doing great.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Well the NAPA rebuilt gear box started dripping red fluid on my driveway last week. Took it to a NAPA Car Care Center today and they replaced it again under warranty. Hopefully it is fixed for now.
That NAPA warranty system works great.

 

[Bob4x4]

The factory replacement box is bigger and the best part---it is new not rebuilt.

 

[Bob4x4]

Well the NAPA rebuilt gear box started dripping red fluid on my driveway last week. Took it to a NAPA Car Care Center today and they replaced it again under warranty. Hopefully it is fixed for now.
That NAPA warranty system works great.

Not so sure I would be happy with a box that lasted a month or so

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Bob,
I damn sure was not happy with a box that started leaking after less than 4 weeks. I did drive it 4800 miles in that time. I went with a NAPA rebuilt in Az. because of time/availability problems. I now went that way again because of the warranty thing with NAPA. If it goes bad again I may look at a more substantial part. Can you suggest an after market box if I have to go that way???
I will be heading back to Az. in Oct. so want it fixed by then.
Thanks,
Jack

 

[Bob4x4]

I went with the oem replacement,it is bigger,and it is new not rebuilt. I have installed quite a few of them and haven't seen a repeat failure yet
The reman units have always been a bit sketchy. Some work ok some dont

 

[NIsaacs]

Well the NAPA rebuilt gear box started dripping red fluid

That NAPA warranty system works great.

I am surprised it was installed with ATF and still warranteed it.



Nick

 

[Bob4x4]

I am surprised it was installed with ATF and still warranteed it.

Nick

That is the correct fill

 

[NIsaacs]

That is the correct fill

Okay, my bad, dang new trucks... My '01 operators manual says no ATF, just power steering fluid.



Nick