pull to the right/noise in stering gear box

[chou56]

I've had this problem since I picked up the truck four months age, and I kept putting it off until yesterday. Went to dealer to see if they could do something about it. After taking six hours to look at it the mechanic came back and told me the truck needs front wheel alliniment and he was ordering me a new stering gear box since he thought that the one in the is shot. Dose that sound normal to you guys to be the case on a 2001. 5 with 3000 miles. Are these stering boxes so bad from the getgo. please advise.
To give some back ground, the stering wheel has a dead feel to it. I'm having to rotate the wheel a loog ways to to get a response while I'm driving.
2001. 5 ETH/DEE/4:10 QADCAB 4x4 silver/SLT everything but leather.

 

[Guest00]

Do a search on steering wander, steering gear boxes, delphi, delphi steering gear, etc. . You will find much info.

 

[Big MAK]

Sounds plausible. When I was looking for a new steering gear box I was told they were on their 5th part number in a few years -- so they don't even buy back cores. It's a $685 part (from a dealership); so your dealer must be reasonably good to be willing to eat that.

BTW: before anyone gets to brand bashing over the steering issue note that the steering boxes are GM -- there's only a few mfgs out there. Atleast that's how it looks to me looking at the part number on the box (it's GM######). Correct me if you know -- I was wondering if it's Saginaw or other. And if it's "small bearing" or "large bearing". I'm also curious if there's a different steering gear for a 2wd 3500 vs 4wd 3500.

I ended up with a steering gear from a '99 3500 2wd; In my 98. 5 3500 4wd. It seems to be working just fine (atleast as good as my old one). The only reason I know exactly what it came out of is I decoded the VIN on the sales ticket from the salvage yard.

 

[ftb87]

Mine has the famous right pull also. Been to the dealer twice to have them fix and still pulls.

I tried to give them the spec's that Brent gave, but they would not align to that specification.

They are currently talking to the regional manager to see if they can align to Brent's specification. I did receive some promising news from another TDR member. They said that Dodge is going to do a TSB on the right pull and have everything fixed. Sorry to be so long winded.

Frank

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01 White, Quad Cab,Short Box ,Sport SLT+,5 speed,4X4,line-x ,Nerf bars,fiberglass tonneau cover

 

[Big MAK]

Dang Frank... if I was a long winded as you people would think I swallowed my tongue. #ad

 

[Jack in Alaska]

I thought I was the only one with rt. hand pulling.

Swapped frt. wheels, swapped back wheels to front, had it realigned twice, kicked it and cussed it and it still pulls to the right.

After a 10k mile trip that gets real old.
Thanks for the info.

 

[ftb87]

Need some help here. My dodge dealer is saying that they cannot locate or find the new spec. to align my truck. Can anyone help me out here, so I can assist my dealer to find the new alignment specification.

Thanks
Frank

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01 White, Quad Cab,Short Box ,Sport SLT+,5 speed,4X4,line-x ,Nerf bars,fiberglass tonneau cover

 

[Scooby]

My steering box was replaced at 600 miles. It took 3 trips to the dealership and left me ****** off, with a VERY dirty interior, and it still pulls to the right.

Some folks say it has to be the crown of the road and the extra weight of the engine that simply emphasizes that crown. I do have occassions where the truck seems to drive straight for a few seconds, but then it seems like the road is slanted to the left. It is irritating on a long trip!

I'll need to take a look at which box they installed.

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'01 2500 SLT+, QC, LWB, 4X4, 3. 54s, AT, SPA guages, Alpha Liner, every option but running lights!

'98 DUCATI ST2 "Bombed" 944CC with Ducati Performance Carbon Fiber Exhaust, F. I. M. Chip, K&N and "modified" air box.

 

[Spyke]

I had a front end noise when turning to the right. Dealer replaced trac-bar tie-rod ends and drag-link and aligned the front end. truck still has noise and is going back next week. My symptoms are a winding noise upon first turning the wheel to the right and only when the truck warms up. We'll see if they get it right, these guys have been really good so far.

 

[LSMITH]

I had the steering box, track bar, and ALL of the ball joints replaced at 32k under the warranty. I had a half turn of slop in the wheel and it pulled to the right really bad. They aligned the front end to factory #'s and it drove perfectly afterward. Have got about 20k on it since and it is loosening up again. Does anyone else think it is more prevalent (front end probs) on the Quad Cab than on the standard trucks?

 

[SteveAZ]

Okay, throwing in a wrench here. Mine has a Left brake pull.

 

[Dog Hauler]

Originally posted by SteveAZ:
Okay, throwing in a wrench here. Mine has a Left brake pull.

My 99 had the dreaded left brake pull. Well, 4 or so trips to the dealer and one phone call to a lemon law lawer, and poof! I got a brand new 2001. #ad


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01 2500 SLT, LWB, 4x4, 3. 54 Axle, Rancho 9000's, K&N filter, otherwise stock