2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission No 3 Turn Boxes

[dseabaugh]

I called PSC Motor sports this morning to order a 3 turn steering box for my pickup. They told me the manufacturer has quit making the piston and case and all cores have been bad , so 3 turn boxes are no-longer available. Anyone have any ideas? He told me that nonew of the parts from a cheverolet box are the same.

 

[SHobbs]

Call Power Steering Services Power Steering Services, Inc.



If I understand correctly the steering boxes are Saginaw boxes which are the same as what is used on Chevy vehicles. Power steering services offers ps pumps as well.

 

[dseabaugh]

I asked the guy at PSC about the chevrolet boxes and he told me they were different and would not work.

 

[SHobbs]

Not sure who is correct here but I find alot of Saginaw applications for Dodge trucks. I believe there are members here that bought a box from Power Steering Services.



This is from PavementSucks.com



PSC, Inc also sells steering gears with and without ports for cylinder assist. All steering gears get full machine shop attention from honing to flow balancing. They even magna flux reconditioned parts to verify integrity. PSC, Inc also replaces the weaker sector shaft cap with a CNC machined peice to improve strength and better maintain adjustments over time. They even install a custom CNC machined end cap with the PSC logo. In the Dodge Ram applications, the Saginaw type steering gears are variable ratio 16-13:1 units. My unit is the 841MR.

 

[dseabaugh]

SHobbs, I have read all that here on the TDR about the 841 boxes from PSC, but bottom line is I called them to order one today and was told no more are available. If you go to their web site you will see they do not have it listed under dodge any more also.

 

[dseabaugh]

Thanks for the link to Power Steering Service. the guy was very helpful and their 3 1/2 turn variable ratio 16/13 to 1 large piston saginaw box is a very reasonable $279. 00 exchange. Pumps were a reasonable $129. 00 I think. He explained why a higher pressure pump could damage the brake booster and the 12 to one ratio has a smaller piston that can't turn the wheels sitting still. Still can't understand why Dodge put these 4 1/4 24 to 1 ratio boxes on our trucks. Even though I am sure I don't need a pump ( or a box for that matter) I ordered both at these reasonable prices. It should be worth it for the extra ease traveling down the highway.

 

[SHobbs]

Give Power Steering Services a call. I talked to them once before and he had them for Dodge. I know the website don't say anything about Dodge but he has them. I Know someone here has used them before this is where I heard about them. Ok I found an old thread.







I have found that Dealers do not know or won't admit if they do know that a lot of wrong ratio steering boxes were installed in our Dodges at the Factory. They are the old GM saginaw box a very good box and Dodge chose to use them. There are no markings on the outside of the boxes to indicate which ratio they are. If not installed you can turn the input shaft and count the turns stop to stop. Our Dodges should have the 3 turn but unfortunately many 4&1/4 turn boxes were installed at the Factory. To find out what you have take some weight off your steering tires and with your engine idling turn until you hit a stop and then count the turns to hit the opposite stop. My 98 had the wrong box. I got a rebuilt from Power Steering Services in Springfield MO and installed it and the difference is something you have to experience to believe. -- email address removed --

 

[dseabaugh]

I did order the box and pump. I could turn my wheel easy enough without jacking up the truck and it was a 4 turn box originally. The bugger only has a little over 100,000 on it and is tight, been reinforced with a DSS bracket but I just felt like the 3 turn box would make for a more comfortable drive on long trips but couldn't find one till I got the PSS link above.

 

[JGK]

Well, wouldn't you know it, PSC does this just as I am determining that a new box may be needed as well.



But there is at least one other option. An outfit called Lee Manufacturing in Sun Valley, CA will rebuild these boxes. They will even refit them for 3-1/3 turns. But they have no cores, you have to send yours down. Turn around for them is about 5 days.



A basic rebuild was quoted as (ahem) dollars, which includes seals and o-rings (no hard parts). To convert a 4 turn to a 3 turn requires 2 hard parts for an additional (cough) dollars. If you do all that the total is still under the price of a new 3-turn box from PSC when they were available, but not by a whole lot.



Call Lee Manufacturing at 818-768-0371 for details.



-Jay

 

[DPrew]

I'm having PSC build me a Hydro assist kit using my core. My truck has a Cardone reman box in it right now that I'm going to have my mechanic warranty out. I can pay a temporary core fee for the new Cardone unit and send it right to PSC. When PSC sends back my kit I'll give Cardone their core out of my truck and get my money back.

I've tried AGR and Cardone box's and decided to take the stress off the steering gear by adding the hydro assist. I'm sick and tired of the horrible steering at slow speeds and the play in all the gear box's I've tried. I'd like my steering to feel more like my 06' 4x2 2500. It's $870 to have a kit built.

PSC still sells reman box's with your core but not for much longer. Pretty soon the hydro assist kit will be the only way to get a PSC steering box. Cardone is paying $100 for cores which is not a cost effective price for most companies.