Finally Good Steering

[big barney]

After almost two years of trying to get someone to fix my steering it is finally right. Four dealers later and a new delphi box my truck has gone from the worst steering truck I've even driven to the best. So all you guys out there with crappy steering don't give up the fight. Good steering is just a delphi box away. I also had it aligned to Brents specs.

If it wasn't for all of your guys posts I never would have known about the delphi gear box. Man is this a great site.

Thanks again
Curt

 

[Fireman Dave]

Glad to hear it, Curt. The new Delphi box did the trick for me, too. For anyone out there with bad steering, remember - it's NOT normal!

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

 

[HC]

Dave,
What's the build date on your truck? Or, if anyone knows off the top of their head when did the Delphi box become "standard"?

 

[Fireman Dave]

HC:

My truck was built on 4/10&11/00. I don't know what box was originally on it, but it had a loose pitman shaft. I got the Delphi box on 9/15/00.

Dave

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Mine was built on 09-15-00 and came with the Delphi revision AF. I don't consider mine right, but have not decided what to do yet. Had an alignment done with little if any improvement. Putting miles on it now to see if that helps and will be having some other TDR members drive it soon. Maybe I am expecting too much, as it doesn't drive bad, it just doesn't drive as good as I would expect for a 30K+ piece of equipment. No pull, but I have what I call an over sensitive steering, which I think is causing a wander problem. Since very little steering input goes a long ways, I find myself always chasing it. You definitely want to pay attention and not gawk at the scenery too much.

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[HC]

Mine was built on 09-15-00 and came with the Delphi revision AF. I don't consider mine right, but have not decided what to do yet.
... Maybe I am expecting too much...
... You definitely want to pay attention

Dave, thanks for the response. Shelby - that's uncanny! I took delivery about June 6, with a build date somewhere ~5/28, and you have described my truck and my feelings exactly! My steering is not "bad", but I'm constantly trying to decide is the steering of the 1/2 ton, non diesel trucks "better" just because those are lighter duty trucks that are more car-like, or, should I expect more? Let me know after you drive with some other TDR'ers what you decide!

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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, K&N RE-880 w/foam pre-cleaner, ARE Z-series Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, and all kinds of synthetic fluids...

 

[big barney]

You guys should expect more from your steering. After this gear box change it drives better than any truck I have had.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Originally posted by Surveyor Shelby:
[Maybe I am expecting too much, as it doesn't drive bad, it just doesn't drive as good as I would expect for a 30K+ piece of equipment. No pull, but I have what I call an over sensitive steering, which I think is causing a wander problem. Since very little steering input goes a long ways, I find myself always chasing it.
Shelby

[/B]

Shelby:

I played the same mind games on myself - before it finally got fixed. Then I knew it wasn't all just in my head. Mine needed the combination of a new track bar, a new steering box, and proper tire inflation to fix it. It had a lot of slop in the steering wheel, it wandered terribly, and I was constantly correcting it. The new box finally made it feel better, but still not quite like I thought it should. An adjustment of the tire pressures tweaked it in just right. Now it steers like it always should have.

 

[The patriot]

My truck was fine until the dealer got to it. I had it in for an unrelated repair,(rear axle seal) and got it back all *F*'ed up.
I hate to ask, but what does one of these boxes cost? I'll be doing my own labor.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Patriot,

My invoice says $574. 00. I think that's the part only. Mine was a warranty repair.

 

[DaveN]

I just got my truck back with the new box, it's ten times better. However, my 1/2 ton that I traded in on it was much better. I think that the only real problem now is bumpsteer, which is inherent in a vehicle with a stiffer suspension and sits up higher. I've decided that it's about as good as it's going to get, I might play with tire pressures and maybe a heavy duty steering stabilizer. The only problem now is trying to get my wife to like it, she's used to driving a front wheel drive economy car. But then again if she doesn't like it then she won't drive it..... hmm. Maybe I'll leave it as it is. #ad




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2001. 5 2500 4WD Auto QC 3. 54 Loaded except Leather

 

[NVR FNSH]

what changes were made to the steering box to cause these improvements?


Brian

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Is there a steering box TSB or recall? How are you guys getting the dealers to spring for new boxes? And if mine already wanders with the latest and greatest box, what will they replace it with? Maybe mine is just plain bad even though it is supposed to be the best box to date.

Dave, at what mileage was your box and track bar replaced? I can't imagine a brand new truck (hit the 4000 mile mark today) being wore out.

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[Old Account - 243]

If you can get your repairs covered under warranty, then go to the dealer; then again, you could go through the hassle and get another crapped out, mass produced steering box.

An alternative may be to go to the aftermarket. I have talked to AGR once or twice and they seem to be decent folks. The first time I called, they told me to check the rag joint before buying their box because it was more likely to be the problem.

http://www.agrsteering.com/OFF/offroad.htm

I hope everyone who goes through the dealer is treated fairly and your truck is repaired to your satisfaction. I have been burned to many times to go back.

243

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99 QC 2500 ST 4X4 SB 24V/5speed 3. 54/LSD Driftwood/Agate
Walker 21468, VDO, Bridgestone 285/75/16 MT's, RS9000's, Hella 500's

-- email address removed --

[This message has been edited by 243 (edited 01-13-2001). ]

 

[The patriot]

Thanks Dave. It's out of warranty, so I'll have to eat it. #ad


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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Cat in the garage. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 59,000 Mi as of 10/21/00.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

 

[big barney]

Shelby
The day I picked up my truck the steering didn't feel right. Took it back after a week and they replaced the track bar. Still wasn't right. They performed tsb#19-03-99
Still didn't help. They did a alignment didn't help. Finally they said they all steer like that. My truck will be two years old this April and finally it steers the way it should. It has been a total p. i. t. a. but it was worth it.

 

[HC]

Shelby,
Take a look at http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/technical/TSB97/19-10-97/19_10_97.htm
I did the "over center adjustment" on mine, it seemed to help a little bit. This bulletin is technically not for our year models, but my thinking was that if it didn't help, it would be easy enough to turn the screw back to the original position. I chose not to go into the box for the second portion of this bulletin; I might try that when Summer rolls around again.

 

[DUNE RACER]

I've run mine a little high because the fronts always look like there bulging from the weight Cummins. I'll try going down a bit and see what happens.

 

[DUNE RACER]

Can the people with good steering trucks please post their tire pressure numbers. I currently run 65 front 45 in the duals. My steering is still a little off after the AF Delphi box. My biggest problems seem to be bump steer and overly sensitive input that you "chase" also. Not bad, but not "right" yet. I'm trying to see the differences between the good ones and the bad ones.

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2001 black dually,4x4, 6 speed H. O. ,loaded up and then some!

 

[Fireman Dave]

Shelby,

I'm fortunate to have a good service manager. The first time I had him drive it due to the steering he told me it wasn't right. He also told me they've had a lot of problems with the boxes on our trucks over the past few years, and Dodge keeps trying new ones to find one that works.
He wanted to try other things first, but the box was eventually replaced too. He never gave me a hassle about it. He wanted to get it right all along. Here's how it went for me with the dealer.

4/17: took delivery of the truck
5/9: 1305 miles, checked TSB, had alignment done
7/12: 3012 miles, checked steering again
8/2: 4026 miles, replaced track bar, adjusted steering box backlash
9/15: 5194 miles, replaced steering box
9/20: I adjusted my tire pressures to complete the job.

I think it's important to go to the dealer with these problems. I had 2 defective parts from the factory. If enough trucks keep coming in, maybe they'll eventually issue a recall for the other guys. It's clear that they have a problem with these boxes, and they know it. That's why the part number kept changing - they were trying to find one that works right. The Delphi AF seems to be the right one.