03 steering gear box

[marc]

Just had a problem with my 03 steering gear box. When in a turn it would not try and return to neutral it just wanted to stay in the turn. Took to dealer and he replaced box with a new one, Internal gear binding, everything now works as it should. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Not exactly but my gear was so loose the truck would wonder from side to side in it's lane.

 

[PGoble]

Just dropped mine off on Tuesday. It was doing exactly as you described, turn into the corner, then not return to center. The dealer said it was the HydroVac unit. Placed an order, there are 18 on national backorder. DC just released 67 units on Wednesday. The unit should be here on Monday. I still don't think it is the HydroVac, I think it is the steering gear. We will see on Monday. I will keep you posted.

Peter

 

[DLeno]

I'd expect them to give you grief over the tires and to try deny warranty coverage. definately keep us posted!

 

[PGoble]

Well, I picked up my truck yesterday, with the new HydroVac unit. The problem was still not fixed. Within a block, I turned around and headed back to the dealer. They were baffled. Couldn't believe that the HydroVac didn't solve the problem. I once again told them that I believed it was the steering box itself, and I had put a scope on the box and sure enought, that is where the noise was coming from. They went ahead and ordered a steering box. Interestingly, it is on back order from DC, should take about a week to get here.

I think that all '03 owners should take notice that there may be a problem with the steering box/HydroVac units from DC. Both parts were on national backorder. When parts go on national backorder, that tells me that there is a problem with the original equipment and they can't keep up the demand to fix them. Anyway, pay attention to your steering feel. If it starts to get sticky and not returning to center, that is the beginning of your problems. I will update everyone after the steering box is installed.



Peter

 

[DLeno]

Originally posted by PGoble

When parts go on national backorder, that tells me that there is a problem with the original equipment and they can't keep up the demand to fix them. Peter

not only that, it can also mean that there are quality issues preventing full production capacity of the backordered part. double jeopordy.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Same thing happened with mine back in April or so. They replaced the gear box and pump all at the same time. Problem was gone and has never returned again.

 

[PGoble]

Picked up my truck yesterday. The dealer installed a new steering box (it took 5 days or so to get here, there were 67 on national backorder when mine went on the list). The new box seems to have fixed the problem. It seems that this is going to be a problem with most of the '03 2500 & 3500 series trucks. The regional rep. told me that it is a design flaw in the steering box (faulty seal) that they have now corrected, but most trucks built up to this date will probably have a problem with the steering box sooner or later. FYI

Peter

 

[bighammer]

Mine was sort of stiff and not returning to center. I made an appointment at the dealer, but of course, by the time I got there it was not doing it anymore.

 

[livetodrive]

My steering went weird around March or April, with about 15 months and 14,000 miles on the truck. Suddenly got real stiff. After brief shutdown at the post office, it was not stiff anymore, but was real sloppy and wandered. I could turn the wheel about 15-30 degrees with no perceptible movement of the front wheels.



Dealer replaced "steering gear" under warranty and it's been fine since.

 

[LCaines]

Well mine just went in today and guess what, steering box. On order and should be here tomorrow. One thing I did not like was that they did not have a loaner car or truck for me to drive. If they have it for more than a day I will demand a rental.