I think I might have a steering box going out

[brillmtb1]

I am getting a little stiction when turning wheel Left and right although I do have steering stabilizers on. I am also getting a clunking feeling driving that I feel through the wheel and when turning the wheel slightly L and R. Stock front suspension. 74K on my 2017. New drag link installed sometime ago. On a quick look at the front end the tire shop didnt suspect anything but then again how thorough they did in question.

I wonder if there is an adjustment for the steering box that is simple enough for me to check and see if there is play in there that I am feeling.

Oh, new shocks as well and everything tight.

 

[crazy jerry]

you have more than one steering stabiliser ? why

 

[brillmtb1]

Its the dual shock fox setup. I currently run 19.5 with commercial tires for my camper so the extra damping is good not to mention when i had my 35s on

 

[Wiredawg]

What does the steering fluid look like? My 2017 5500 is due steering fluid change per my personal schedule after the new year, need to check color next check. I have 35" 19.5s on it.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Power steering pump going bad I know you checked the fluid level but was the fluid clean and not smelling burned

 

[Topzide]

Might you be able to remove the steering linkage from the steer box arm? That way you can check for play in the steering box. You can also turn wheel with components disconnected to feel for any changes. Checking the fluid will give you idea of pump condition. A fluid change if not been done would be something to entertain. Hope you can chase down the issue. Good luck.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Do steering stabilizers really help? I had them on my 99. Maybe some on that truck .But why doesn’t the factory put them on then. Just wondering

 

[Ozymandias]

No they don't on an ornroad vehicle that is in good condition and perfect alignment.

Steering damper original from the offroad crowd where they are useful, going down a rocky slope. Keeps the steering wheel from breaking your wrists.

On road they are just a band aid for problems that could be fixed.

We are not talking about lifted vehicles where the whole steering and axle geometry is messed up.

 

[kthaxton]

No they don't on an ornroad vehicle that is in good condition and perfect alignment.

Steering damper original from the offroad crowd where they are useful, going down a rocky slope. Keeps the steering wheel from breaking your wrists.

On road they are just a band aid for problems that could be fixed.

We are not talking about lifted vehicles where the whole steering and axle geometry is messed up.

and.......they make your power steering pump work harder.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My 15 came from the factory with a stabilizer and so did my dads 14.

 

[kthaxton]

My 15 came from the factory with a stabilizer and so did my dads 14.

Congrats?

The OP has a dual aftermarket stabilizer.

 

[Ozymandias]

My 15 came from the factory with a stabilizer and so did my dads 14.

It also came with a horribly bad alignment from the factory.

 

[AH64ID]

My 15 came from the factory with a stabilizer and so did my dads 14.

Are there any live axle steering setups that don’t?

The OEM single stabilizer isn’t what the OP has, or what’s being discussed.

 

[Cummins12V98]

It also came with a horribly bad alignment from the factory.

Sure did!!! My 11 was the same and I think I was one of the first to post the specs my alignment guy did to the 11. 1/64" TOE, of course I got ridiculed for posting such numbers. I did prove that was/is how some alignment machines work.

 

[brillmtb1]

Is there an adjustment at the steering box or is it if you have play at 80K perhaps you need a new box.

 

[NIsaacs]

Did you have a steering issue before the 19.5's? Some tires will follow the ruts in the road worse than others and make you think the steering is loose.

 

[Ozymandias]

There is an adjustment screw like on any other steering gear.

But it needs the proper knowledge to adjust it - it is plain dangerous to work on that bolt, your steering gear could start to eat itself or worse it binds solid going down the road.

Leave the adjustment to a professional.

 

[brillmtb1]

Will do. But is it normal to adjust with wear or if you have issues to replace if you know what I mean

 

[Ozymandias]

Not common, after many hundred thousand miles maybe, but not on a new truck from the factory.

But there is always a chance that a bad unit left the factory, the dealer will tell you.

 

[brillmtb1]

Ok, took the truck in with my steering wheel side to side clunking I feel but do not hear. I was reassured by many that unlikely the steering box or wheel bearings. I had the drag link issue where they welded the nut but fortunately convinced them to put the new bar in. The mechanic checked "everything" out and told me I had a crack in my center steering stablizer bracket and bolts loose. I looked and dont see any crack and one of four bolts had to be tightened 1/8 turn at most so I didnt think that was the issue.

Wife to the rescure. She helped me turn the wheel back and forth and I "felt" the moving parts as she did this as I really couldnt detect play issues. Until I grabbed the new drag link I only felt a slight clicking. Grabbing the drag link and oh my lots of clunking. Could be steering box but I dont think so. So I guess my newer drag link is bad or
I remember something like these dudes need to really be torqued down or people reported this but I cant find that statement again.

Question is perhaps I should push for new bar torqued down vs them just tightening it. Concern would be it actually wore out already. Goes into the shop tomorrow so I can show the mechanic what I was feeling