2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Replacement steering gear opinions

[JLinder]

Long story short I ran over a Honda yesterday and my steering gear is one of the items to be replaced. I have done some searching and it seems the heavy duty AGR unit make for our Cummins trucks should be the ticket. I don't really wish to put another POS factory unit back on there, anybody have any new reports or experiences with these boxes?



Thanks for the advice.

 

[JLinder]

TTT

Don't tell me ALL of you still have the factory steering gear...

 

[JLinder]

I suppose I'll be the ginuea pig for this.





Wonder if I can set a record: Longest thread with just one person.



Don't anybody ruin it now.

 

[Mike Ellis]

Well I can't help you much JLinder but I would like to know about the heavy duty box too. I have 82K on my '97 and repeated alignments, front end checks, etc do nothing to improve the steering "feel". It is about as responsive as one of the ancient arcade racing games where you had to spin the wheel 20 times to move left/right. Argh.



I love my truck but sure am tired of wallowing around in the lane everywhere I go, constantly wobbling steering wheel to stay on track. I have shoulders like a gorilla now from wrestling wheel, and have about decided that lane markers are more of a suggestion than a rule... .

 

[Billybob1]

Steering Gear

I'm on my 3rd AGR, the first two were worse than the factory one I took off. This one isn't much better, even after adjustment... That is all I have to say to that.

 

[JLinder]

I'm on my 3rd AGR, the first two were worse than the factory one I took off.

Just curious if those are the lighter duty gasser units, or the heavier units for the Cummins application?



This is the unit I'm looking at: AGR (The one for the Cummins)



I'm not trying to discredit anybody's bad experience with AGR, I'd like to hear about them. I'm just wondering which steering gears have been used.

 

[LSMITH]

Do a search on the AGR steering box. This has been talked about extensively. I have not read of anyone that is happy with any model.

 

[Billybob1]

JLinder, I was told that the box was the new hot item for the Cummins/Dodge and after the first two were sent back I ended up talking to the boss. The last one they sent me was suppose to have had all the parts hand matched and then assembled in their race shop area... I would have sent this one back, but the shipping charges were starting to get pricey and it wasn't as bad as the others so I figured I would just keep it and do the necessary adjustments. Like I said previously, I am still not impressed.

 

[JLinder]

Thanks for the replies

Doesn't sound to encouraging.

 

[TKemper]

Same experience here. The 1st box groaned like an SOB. The second was OK, but does not have enough power to turn a set of 33 - 12. 5's unless you start to move. I went with the Super Box and the Super Pump, so the 33's shouldn't be an issue. Their customer service is non existant and I never fully received my core charge back! The box is responsive on highway, but I have to adjust it every so often. Todd

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I recieved the first one on Monday. Took it out to look it over, noticed the input shaft, where the splines are, where the steering shaft coupler slides on are all scored and destroyed. Tried to clean them up w/ a needle file. No way. Luckily a had a Borgeson u-joint to try on it. It was a half hearted effort anyway. Should I need to fix a brand new $320 steering chuck? At least I didn't have it on the truck yet. I would have been screamin.



They 2nd Day aired me a new one, and picked up the old one N/C. Customer service so far A+. This new chuck looks fine.



I didn't go w/ a new Super pump. Briar Hopper had a nightmare of a time with his.



The lowest price on the chuck I found was @ http://www.windrockoffroad.com/part_detail.asp?PartNo=AGR 284452



I did not get a core charge.



Weather permiting, I will install it this weekend and post my thoughts.



What JLinder said: This is the Special HD "3 Bearing" Cummins SV AGR Box. Variable Ratio. Years '94-'01. AGR p/n 284452 (the one we want)

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I looks like AGR uses an additional bronze bushing after the bearings on the pitman arm shaft.

 

[JLinder]

Keep us posted, please.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I put the AGR box in today. No leaks. No Noises.



First thing I noticed is the firm vavling this chuck has. It takes a little more (not much) effort to turn the wheel. The trade off is great road feel. The steering is nice and tight and very responsive to driver input. AGR states the 284452 are firm valved.



I didn't go with AGR's Super Pump. The Dodge PS pump is rated @ 1400 psi. relief valve opens @ 1450 psi according to the service manual. It seems to be fine. Tires will turn while standing still w/ no pump noise.



I used Vavoline Synpower power steering fluid. It's good stuff. Search the archives. Or you can get Royal Purple Power Steering Fluid from AGR. They recommend it.



I only have about 4 miles on it so give it another week.



So far so good.



NOTE: On my first post I said the splines were screwed up. Its partly true. I was trying to put the steering wheel side of the steering shaft onto the chuck. They are slightly different. So the first box from AGR probably would have been OK, even with the crummy splines. Stupid mistake on my part.

 

[JLinder]

Hemi,



Put that box through its paces, and let us know how it does.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Anything new...

to report?



Looks like some kind of steering box "fix" is in my near future.