2004 diesel 2500 steering box failure

[otrrtom]

I have a 3rd gen--2004 owned since new--have 42k miles on it--a few days ago a clack sound started coming from under left front while driving then sterring wheel started pulsing side to side--i layed under vehicle and shook steering column back and forth and clack sound is coming from steering box. a few friends said dodge has many failures on the box--if so i am trying to locate past articles on the failure and dont know how to use this site well enough. appreciate comments--thanks,tom

 

[jelag]

I have several trucks(work) and all of them have over 100K miles on each with some approaching 300K miles... we've yet to have a problem... and I don't remember seeing a lot of issues on this board...

I have seen some front wheel bearing failures, and U-Joint failures on the 4X4's could you be hearing a noise that you think is the gear box but from the drivers front wheel...

 

[otrrtom]

Jim-thanks for the reply--i did the brakes on it the other day and jacked it from under the mount for the front trailing arm mount on the differential banjo on the rite and left side--i wonder if i damaged anything that way as that is the general location i have used on many trucks for years--

 

[kblranch]

My steering started pulsing going around corners at around 40000 and the steering box was replaced under warranty.

 

[Superdawg]

If you are out of warranty and have to pay for the box, I highly recommend Red Head Steering Gears. I replaced mine approx. 5k miles ago.

 

[WMoroni]

I've had 4 different dodge 2500 4x4s 03-07 models. All have had to have steering gears replaced. 2 have had to have the power steering pump and the hydrobooster replaced shortly after the steering gear started clunking, due to metal contamination I guess. Read the manufacture name on the gearbox when you take it out. It'll say Ford even has a Ford part number cast in it.

 

[Prairie Dog]

If you are out of warranty and have to pay for the box, I highly recommend Red Head Steering Gears. I replaced mine approx. 5k miles ago.

Another vote for Red Head.

 

[BHanna]

I had to have mine replaced at about 50K but it was probably my fault. I hit a little washed out piece of trail pretty hard.

 

[otrrtom]

From the prior failures listed --it sure sounds like a bad component box as in the prior generation --which they now sell aftermarket units for

 

[steved]

Keep in mind that while there are not a rash of failures, there is nothing saying a catastrophic failure of a unit can't happen. .



I replaced my worn one, also with a Redhead, at around 200k... I experienced a lot of play.

 

[otrrtom]

Thanks for the responses--i called dodge and they said if they confirm its bad--its covered under my warrenty--i am glad i extended it as i also hear when the box goes bad contamination can be pulled up into the power steering pump causing failure down the road--to all out there with a 3rd generation 2500/3500---there is an active steering systym safety recall--h-46-came out in may 2009-that covers bad pitman arms-steering damper mounts and drag links--never new untill i looked it up on alldata link

 

[DDT]

FYI, I also had a shimmy when turning corners at low speed, I could see the input shaft was turning almost 1/8 turn before pitman arm would move. Every thing in the front end is tight. I ordered a redhead. yesterday. I could have got two from NAPA for close to the same price but a lot of you like the redhead so I got the better one. 118K How much PS fuild do I need to get on hand? Figure its a good time to change that oil too. Any special instructions?

Thanks

DDT

 

[steved]

The job took me about 2 hours, the hardest part was pulling the pitman arm... I can't stress having a quality pitman arm puller on hand. The only other hard part was accessing the hoses.



Basically three bolts hold it to the frame, one to the column, two hoses, and the pitman arm.



I want to remember it taking less than three quarts of ATF+4 to refill.

 

[DDT]

Pitman arm puller, I was think gear puller. Would a pickle fork work?

 

[steved]

A gear puller may not work as there is little to grip... a pickle fork may damage the box and cause you to lose your core. I bought an entire suspension/steering kit from OTC that had five different tools, including the ones needed to do the steering box repair.

 

[DOUGMartin]

I have been having a little poping sound at slow speed stearing for a week on and off. At first I thought it might have been the dust sheilds I have caus it sounded kind of tinne. Now it is more of a poping metal sound. Could this be the same thing?

 

[DDT]

FYI,

I Got my new redhead last night, Had to put it on then. WOW what a difference. Thanks for the advice. My gear puller with a c-clamp at pitman arm worked, got her tight with impact and pop. Now to find the UPS truck today... .