need to replace steering box on 04

[Northerner]

I posted a thread the other day listing the little problems with my truck to date. Well I got under the truck last evening and started hunting for the cause of a rattle I was getting over washboard road. I found the pitman arm had enough play to cause it to clunk when I hit it with my hand. Went to the dealer this morning and we found that the shaft on the steering box was way loose. Dealer is ordering a new box. Now I'm wondering if the high speed wobble I had experienced was caused by the defective box? I don't have enough mechanical skill to know. What do you all think. Has anyone else had this problem? Hopefully this eliminates one of the little issues I had .

 

[Prairie Dog]

It's very possible. Mine has started to leak so it's about time it was replaced too.

 

[Slow Six]

steering box

I noticed a small leak on mine the other day while doing a service. Stopped at the dealer. They had a quick look and ordered a new box. The only problem is the supply of new boxes does not seem plentiful. They gave me some AT-4 in case I need to add. Also in the hot summer weather I seemed to have a creaking noise in the steering. I could not pinpoint the source but it seemed to be coming from the sector shaft bearing. The noise was only there after a long enough trip to warm things up. After the truck sits for a while the noise is gone. I do not know what has gotten into my dealer but they are sure treating me well even on work I need done on the 94 I sold.

 

[draymorris]

My 03 started road walking - some days bad - some days not at all. I took it in, but that day, it was not walking. About a month later I saw oil down the driver side - the top of the shaft was leaking on the stearing box. I took it back in and the tech discover that the adjustment nut on top was backing off. The shaft had about a quarter inch of play, thus the gear meshing was changing, explaining my intermittent road walking. Another quarter inch and I would have lost the nut and posibly steering. My dealership actually removed a box from a new truck and replaced mine - only took about 30 min to complete the job. They told me that they had seen problems with the steering boxes and they were in short supply. Great dealership!

 

[draymorris]

Mine was also creaking before they replaces the box.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for the info guys , I haven't seen any other threads on this problem yet . I'm going to drive it till the new one comes in.



"It's very possible. Mine has started to leak so it's about time it was replaced too. "

Prairie Dog I'm assuming your'e thinking the wobble could be caused by the defective box.



If the wobble I had was caused when I hit a rough section of road then some of the other guys that have had this happen should check out their box just to see whats what!!

 

[JohnCooper]

Just had my steering box replaced two weeks ago (took 1-1/2 weeks to special order box). My steering got tight, if turned the wheel to make a turn, I had to manually return the steering wheel to center, it wouldn't return on it's own.

 

[CATCRACKER]

is the steering box part of the 70000 mile warranty?

 

[JohnCooper]

DC covered mine - No Charge

 

[Northerner]

Warranty coverage

CATCRACKER is the steering box part of the 70000 mile warranty?



Bumper to bumper as they say!

 

[bmoeller]

Sounds like Darin possibly has more business for a new steering stabilizer, huh?

 

[MCummings]

I diagnosed a bad seal on an '03 Power Steering pump, with all of 16,313 miles.



The pump had lost all of it's fluid once, making a complete mess of the engine compartment.



Sounds like Power Steering pumps are common failure item on '03's+.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[krabman]

Got the leak last night myself. Going to the dealer on Monday and we will see what they say. Be interesting to see if they complain about the various bombs cause I aint taking them off.

 

[DPKetchum]

I thought bumper to bumper was 3/36! Powertrain was 7/70 and diesel has 5/100.

 

[ddutil]

Northerner, is yours a 2x4?



Correct me if I'm wrong (all-y'all) but 2500 2x4 is a different steering box from the 4x4 2500/3500.



Dan

 

[Northerner]

Originally posted by ddutil

Northerner, is yours a 2x4?



Correct me if I'm wrong (all-y'all) but 2500 2x4 is a different steering box from the 4x4 2500/3500.



Dan

4X4, Sorry : I guess I'd better add that to my signature. Still waiting for the box to arrive.

 

[Moterhead]

Interesting reading about the steering box problems. My '03 1500 hemi has rack and pinion. Do all 2500/3500s use a box, or only 4X4s? Don't have my '04 yet. Hopefully this week!!