Aftermarket steering Boxes? cure for wander?

[mpjmpj]

14 months and a lot of suggestions (but no solution) about this steering issue (wander), I have learned that DC is aware of the problem but won't do anything about it. I did get the dealer to agree to install a new aftermarket box. I just don't know what is available for aftermarket steering boxes. Can anyone help.

 

[Ted Constantine]

AGR makes aftermarket boxes, pumps and the rock ram system. This link will take you to their offerings for out trucks. I have no personal experience with their stuff but they have a good rep.



Ted



PS what have you already done to try and fix it??

 

[BigBadDodge]

Yo Wa-Sup Ted ?



mpjmpj,



I have the AGR box that is designed specificaly for the Dodge Diesels it works fine I added a Borgusen shaft at the same time I added the box and she drives great now but not sure if its a result of both the replacment of the steering box and the shaft or one or the other both aren't cheap so if you have the time you might follow the adjustment procedures in the TSB below







http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/1997/19-10-97/19_10_97.htm

 

[The patriot]

I adjusted the bearing preload in the box. Figured, WTF it already sucks.

Much better. Probibally not as good as it should be, but better.

Eric



PS I didnt do it to "spec". I just cranked it down about 1/2". Real scientific, eh?

 

[mpjmpj]

Sorry. I should've been more specific. I have been through all of the possible cures as well as possible reasons why the truck wanders. Steering box (replaced by the dealer and they won't do the TSB under the warranty), ball joint, alignment (however have not yet set it out of spec as suggested), track bar (replaced), etc. , etc. , etc.



Thanks for the help. I will look at the steering box recommended.



Any others have experience with aftermarket boxes?

 

[mpjmpj]

For those of you having the same problems, I should add that the dealer told me all replacement boxes (back to 94) show a part number of the same box that has the design flaw that is currently in my truck.



What is Chrysler doing??!!

 

[Joe G.]

4X4 or 4X2? My 4X4 has over 173K miles on it and still has nice precise steering so I'm wondering if this wandering problem is a 4X2 thing.

 

[mpjmpj]

Ooops.



My truck is a 4x4. Problem seems to point to a design problem within the box according to the dealer.

 

[Joe G.]

I really wonder about things like this. Some of us never have some problems that we see complaints about. If it was a design problem you would think that all of us would be all over the road. In fact, the road I live on seems to have been forgotten by the county road guys. It's a mess! Some of the holes threaten to knock a wheel off. If I can drive on something like that for years with no steering problems it sure doesn't seem like it's a design problem. Some time ago someone posted about his steering locking up. There may be something broken. Maybe not on the truck so much as in the dealer shop. Some of the so-called techs would have a hard time keeping a job in a car wash.

 

[mpjmpj]

I stand corrected... . I believe the dealer said the box design changed in 98 or 99. He did say they made numerous modifications to the box. I told him to just put in the older box. Of course they don't make them now. A box for a 97 is the same part number now as a 01!!



I have resorted to spending the money and sueing Chrysler in small claims to reclaim the cost. I have no other choice.



I will update everyone in the near future.

 

[The patriot]

Joe G. Mine was fine until I went to my local 5 star dealer for service in something completely unrelated to the steering.

When I left, I thought I had a flat. Checked tires, no flat. So I thought they must have ran up a curb. Looked for scuff marks... no marks.

I brought it back, and they made some "adjustments". Still no good, so they replaced the box. It was never the same after this.

To this day I still dont know what the he** they did to screw the box up??????

I've made some adjustments of my own, but it's not as good as before it was molested.

Eric

 

[Ted Constantine]

The one thing that you have not metioned was the Borgusen steering shaft. Scott(bigbaddodge) mentioned it in his post. Have you had the intermediate steering shaft replaced under warrenty?



There are big differences in the front end not just the steering box. I do not know details but when my truck was in getting a new track bar and steering box the alignment guy was telling me that there was much less they could adjust on the 2001s than on the older trucks. I do not know what year they made the changes but it was between 98. 5 and 2001. 5



If you are going to do it on your own dime and try to get your money back later try a dt track bar, Borgusen shaft and AGR box but one at a time so you can tell if one works. We know that these are good produces because they have worked on Scotts with the added stress of 37inch tire.



Good Luck

Ted