2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Replacement steering box

[tmacc]

At 156k miles I've had my mechanic replace the steering box. The problem is that both of the reman boxes that he has put on have had problems. One had sloppy steering and the other leaked fluid out of the adj. screw seal. The only other option that I'm aware of is a reman from the dealer. Is there any other option out there?

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I would give the newer PSC steering chuck a shot. A few members have them and like them.

#ad


Thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109365&highlight=steering+box

 

[MTegtmeyer]

I have a PSC Steering box. Improved my steering about 80%. Darins track bar bracket took me the rest of the way.

 

[tmacc]

Excellent suggestions. I'm going to do the whole thing. PCS box, DSS, and the track bar bracket since I plan on keeping the truck for a few more years. Thanks, guys.

 

[tmacc]

Ok what's the deal w/ PCS??? I've called them several times, no answer and no voice mail. I've emailed them. No reply.

 

[tmacc]

OK wouldn't you know it, Tom Allen called me not ten minutes after I posted. Apparently, two phone lines and call waiting is insufficient for the amount of business he does. A good sign of a quality business and product IMO. Nice guy, my order is going out tomorrow. Good price on the DSS too.

 

[Gregg Mig]

Do the PSC boxes have any play in them,that's in the steering wheel I had the dealer replace the one on my truck in the spring and the wheel had play in it when I picked it up. The service manager said that this is normal and mine had less then others he has seen. I told him that this is not a model T Phord and that a truck of this caliber with all of the latest technology should not have any slope in the wheel ,his response again was they all do.

 

[Gregg Mig]

Anyone have good luck with the PSC boxes? since it looks like DC is going to do squat for me with mine. I had bad luck with AGR boxes theirs had a lot of slop and play in them,I had to send 7 back to them due to excessive play in the wheel and it was a pain to try to get cores taken of my credit card it took months to resolve. This was on my 97 ram I had to upgrade to my 02 cc sb due to the fact my wife was due with twins,,it would have been hard to pack all 3 kids and the wife in a regular cab.

 

[TFabian]

I just installed a PSC gearbox a few weeks ago. Light years ahead of the rebuilt box I bought locally and the two new Dodge gearboxes I went through in the last 6 months. I would highly recommend them.

 

[jandtjil]

Quality unit.

JJ

 

[Gregg Mig]

TFabian does the box show any play in the steering wheel,it does not matter how many boxes I changed they all had that play in the steering wheel,a dead spot,and it did not mater how I adjusted it. The 3rd gen, trucks I have driven are tight,they have a nice solid feel to them, no play at all in them at the wheel. I wish you could retro that box on the 2nd gens.

 

[TFabian]

The PSC box has very little compared to the new gearboxes and the the rebuilt unit I tried. There is what feels like a small amount play in the wheel when centered, but if you move the wheel, the truck will turn. I think it's because of very light turning force required until the wheel is turned a small amount. When driving down the road now, making an input to the wheel, however small, makes the truck respond.



On the other boxes, I could not adjust out the last 3/4 to 1 inch of play without binding the box. Between the PSC gearbox and converting to the inverted T tie rod setup, my truck can now be driven with one hand on the roughest of roads. It hasn't done that for a very long time.

 

[Gregg Mig]

thanks for the reply,so what your saying is that the steering wheel is easier to turn with less turning force over a stock box,but how does this effect drivablity down the road do you get a feel for the road. I know DC did some valving changes on the latter 2nd gens to give them more road feel,but I think it took away steering assist at very low speeds which translates to harder than normal steering input,and I also think this helps contribute to premature steering shaft play and wear do to the extra turning force needed for steering. I was told by my local dealer that they will only warranty a steering shaft once under warranty,, nice people huh?

 

[TFabian]

Gregg, yes, less turning force but only at the center of the wheel travel. As soon as you start to turn the wheel away from center, the force increases, linear like. Kind of hard to explain.

 

[Alphacowboy]

also, if you are running larger tires IE 35 (315) or larger, I would suggest you look into the hydro assist the PSC offers. I havent ordered mine quite yet, but will be this spring, and DEFINATELY ordering the hydro assist ram, many guys on the offroad sites love PCS stuff, and would definately recommend them. Even if you dont order the Hydro Assist Ram, order the PSC box with the hydro assist outlet/inlets, then if you want, you can add it later. I know of a few guys that got the PSC boxes, but still had problems with the sector shaft leaking, and also still somewhat hard to turn thier tires, granted they are running a large tire, 35-44", but larger tires cause ALOT of stress on the sector shaft... . they upgraded and added the Ram Assist, fix the problem with the sector shaft leaking, and also makes turning big meats ALOT easier!