2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2000 DODGE STEERING BOX Whats the best

[Big Best]

My steering seems to have some play; left to right when driving. I have to constantly compensate just to keep it straight. When you turn the wheel it does have a knock in it, Based on what the dealer says, they believe I need a new steering box and column. The alignment is dead on. So what do you guys believe is the best steering box and column for my 24-valve/2500/ex cab 4x4??

 

[Pavemen]

while parked and the engine off, get under the truck and watch teh sector shaft on the steering gear while someone barely moves the wheel back and forth. if you see the pitman shifting but the wheels don't turn, then you need a new box. if the pitman does not move at all but the wheel still does, check the joints in the steering shaft for play.

I like my borgensen steering shaft. just paint it before you install it. its rusts easy.

do you wheel your truck hard? if you need a new box and don't wheel hard, get a steering brace. if you wheel hard, the brace does more harm than good, so avoid it.

 

[Big Best]

Thanks thats a good idea, I'll try it

 

[GCULP]

check the track bar, when mine started to wear, one of the clues was a clunk when turning, especially left. do the same test, look through the front of the left wheel opening near the frame and have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth, you'll see the track bar move on the ball joint at the frame. Look for either a 3rd gen upgrade or a Thuren, both are much better than stock. If it is your steering box, you'll want to put a DSS steering stabilizer on it when you install the new to make it last, unless you're off road a lot.

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

The DSS steering stabilizer is amazing. I installed it after putting on 35" tires and the difference was like night and day! Easy install. Less than 1 hour. No more wander and more precise steering control. Another one of those "should have done it years ago" bomb.

 

[CTD12V]

if you wheel hard, the brace does more harm than good, so avoid it.

What exactly does it do to harm the steering when you off road hard? And what would qualify as "hard"? -- Lots of frame twisting?

 

[Pavemen]

What exactly does it do to harm the steering when you off road hard? And what would qualify as "hard"? -- Lots of frame twisting?

yeah, if you articulate the suspension a lot, the brace pushes the sector shaft over more than without. If you just play in the mud or hit the local fireroad or light wheeling trail, its a good upgrade. Even on the street its nice to have.

However, I wheel fairly hard, lots of flex, frame twist one way, suspension moving another but turning back the other. Its hard on the steering, all of the steering. The brace pushes the frame flex into the sector shaft a bit in extreme cases.

"archer" on my site modded his DSS brace and it works very well, even under hard use.

PavementSucks.com - View Topic - Hybrid DSS Xtreme Brace... . UPDATED - Dodge, Ram, 4x4, 4 wheel drive, 4wd, off road, off-road, wheeling, trails, DIY, trucks, Chevy, Ford, clubs, mud bog, rockcrawling, Toyota, Gallery, mud, rocks, readers rides, full-

 

[CTD12V]

Hey thanks for the link. Something to think about. I do a fair amount of driving off the side of the road through ditches, and the truck definitely creaks a lot of times as I do that. Do you think that is twisting the frame enough to be concerned with the DSS?

 

[CTD12V]

Hey Big Best,



I didn't mean to hijack your thread. There are a lot of good pointers on this thread. I would also emphasize checking EVERY joint in your steering for play. On my truck, I am still chasing a sloppy steering problem. I have replaced the steering gear with a PSC box, and that didn't really help the wandering much at all (plus it leaks ). I installed a DSS, which should help stabilize the sector shaft as long as I don't flex my frame too much like Paveman mentioned. I rebuilt my trackbar with Luke's Link, and also put a Luke's Link on the joint where the drag link connects to the tie rod. I installed a new lower steering shaft (Mopar), and rebuilt the lower bushing on the upper steering column with a Delrin bushing from RockSolid Ram Steering.



After all this, my steering is a little better than it was, but I still have wander. I know my tie rod ends are worn out so that is my next project. Anyways, I'm not mentioning all this to scare you or make you depressed , I'm just trying to point out that there are many different things that can cause steering wander, so check them all out and don't expect one single fix to necessarily cure your wander. Good luck, and hope you get the problem chased down.



CTD12V

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Bigbest. I have found that Dealers do not know or won't admit if they do know that a lot of wrong ratio steering boxes were installed in our Dodges at the Factory. They are the old GM saginaw box a very good box and Dodge chose to use them. There are no markings on the outside of the boxes to indicate which ratio they are. If not installed you can turn the input shaft and count the turns stop to stop. Our Dodges should have the 3 turn but unfortunately many 4&1/4 turn boxes were installed at the Factory. To find out what you have take some weight off your steering tires and with your engine idling turn until you hit a stop and then count the turns to hit the opposite stop. My 98 had the wrong box. I got a rebuilt from Power Steering Services in Springfield MO and installed it and the difference is something you have to experience to believe. -- email address removed --

 

[Pavemen]

Bigbest. I have found that Dealers do not know or won't admit if they do know that a lot of wrong ratio steering boxes were installed in our Dodges at the Factory. They are the old GM saginaw box a very good box and Dodge chose to use them. There are no markings on the outside of the boxes to indicate which ratio they are. If not installed you can turn the input shaft and count the turns stop to stop. Our Dodges should have the 3 turn but unfortunately many 4&1/4 turn boxes were installed at the Factory. To find out what you have take some weight off your steering tires and with your engine idling turn until you hit a stop and then count the turns to hit the opposite stop. My 98 had the wrong box. I got a rebuilt from Power Steering Services in Springfield MO and installed it and the difference is something you have to experience to believe. burchfield@cfl. rr.com

My understanding is that there are two boxes, one variable ratio box for the 1500/2500's and a fixed ratio box for the 3500's. I know that when I replaced the box on my 1500 the original was a 3 turn box and I changed to the fixed 3500 box at just over 4 turns. I upgraded to hydro assist at the same time, so I am not sure if turning response was impacted by the swap.

 

[ASimpson]

If your asking who has the best box everyone has there own opinion. As one that has dealt with both and I personally have a PSC box on my truck I would recommend Power Steering Service. I'm not going to bash anyone here. Any questions PM me. Where ever you get it just get the 3&1/4 turn box.

 

[QWaller]

I can't tell you about best, but I put on an Autozone box (LTT). Works well, no leaks, etc. Time will tell. ~$175 + $6 puller

 

[rivercat]

to the guy that offered the "Wheeling " comment



sorry to come off as sarcastic but wouldnt a yota or a jeep be much more suited to rocking and such than a 7000lbs diesel truck with very limited suspention travel and heavy springs designed for towing or hauling?

 

[Dave M]

My understanding is that there are two boxes, one variable ratio box for the 1500/2500's and a fixed ratio box for the 3500's. I know that when I replaced the box on my 1500 the original was a 3 turn box and I changed to the fixed 3500 box at just over 4 turns. I upgraded to hydro assist at the same time, so I am not sure if turning response was impacted by the swap.

I'm not sure about which trucks got which box but my 97 3500 4x4 had a 4 1/4 turn and I swapped it for the PSC 3 1/4 turn box with the DSS steering shaft stabilizer. I'm very satisfied with the PSC box. I used PN SG-81M. It is a 13-16:1 variable ratio box. Here is a link to it:



PSC Motorsports



Dave

 

[monkeyman]

Everyone will have their own likes and dislikes about a certain brand steering box, and I have tried them all. PM if you want dislikes. I now have the AGR ball bearing with Rock Ram. no steering stabilizers, being that the Rock Ram is hydro it has pressure for right and left. No stabilizer needed.

Rick

 

[Mad Bomber]

Welcome to Wild Horse Suspension!

 

[DPrew]

If you have any leaks in the steering system you won't be able to fix the mushy steering. When the truck is running any leaks will suck in air and it will build up in the steering box. The air will easily compress when you try to turn the wheel and give you a mushy feeling.



If you bleed the steering system using AGR Performance's bleeding directions you can get the air back out of the system once the leaks are fixed. I had Firestone botch up my AGR pump installation every way possible so I've learned from no trial and nothing but failure, failure, failure every way possible to screw things up.



AGR sells new not rebuilt steering boxes. They look nicer than the OE units and if you pay extra you cab get them in brushed aluminum finish I think. They also make high flow power steering pumps (Super Pumps) that are better than the OE unit.

 

[tippytoes]

If you have any leaks in the steering system you won't be able to fix the mushy steering. When the truck is running any leaks will suck in air and it will build up in the steering box. The air will easily compress when you try to turn the wheel and give you a mushy feeling. .

my steering has a lot of play in it, like my old lifted K5 Blazer did. when i make a hard turn (such as the parking garage on campus) it feels like... something is rolling over on itself... if that makes any sense. that's the only way i can think to describe it. i was thinking that perhaps the steering gear was worn out and not catching properly, but after reading your post, do you think that sounds "mushy" as thought there is air in the system?



i'll get under it by this weekend and have someone turn the wheel for me and see what there is to see...



thanks,

t

 

[rivercat]

Power Steering Services, Inc.

has anyone been able to work out a deal where you get a new box and THEN send the old one back?
sounds like a nice place just don't want the down time of having to send my box in and wait.



does anyone know if the dss will work with a lift. due to the 5" lift I run my stabilizer bar is spaced off of the frame with small pieces of 3" channel. I looked into the dss a long time ago before I had swaped just about every other steering part and had thought that there would be some interfierence between the extended shaft and stabilizer bar.