Sector Shaft Play?

[UAV]

I noticed a "clunk" in the front end today while moving the steering wheel back and forth with the truck off. I thought the alignment shop gurus might have left something loose but upon further inspection discovered it was coming from the sector shaft moving laterally within the steering box. If I grab the pitman arm I can move the sector shaft back and forth by hand.



My immediate thought is the steering box is bad as in my experience as a mechanic a good box has no play in the shaft. However, the box does not leak and my truck does not seem to exhibit any front end issues, truck has 53,500 miles.



It looks like there are several sector shaft braces available in the aftermarket which makes me think maybe this is just how it is on these trucks and I've only now noticed it after almost 4 years.



I guess I'll be looking into a sector shaft brace, but I'm left wondering if the box is bad or is this a "normal" condition for this truck.

 

[E7mack96]

mine just started clunking in the same spot over the last weekend. . at 78000 miles. and is just damp in some spots, but not wet or leaking yet.

 

[TCDiesel]

Is X in the PDF the joint that has extra Play?

 

[E7mack96]

not in my case, it is the actual steering gearbox, the shaft that the drag ling attaches to. i can see it move a few thousanths as it clunks.

edit: ok the shaft on the gearbox that the pitman arm attaches to is what I mean. (i just call it the drag link in general )

 

[TCDiesel]

If the rest of the linkage shows any sign of movement or wear replace it all , this includes the track bar bushings,You need a torch and cutting tool to remove the factory bushings. . Otherwise PITA to remove,hammering them out and cutting the sleeve will take hrs.

4x4$$$$ I would Be ****** off at steering sector replacement @ 78K if used city/hwy.

 

[E7mack96]

i replaced the whole front end last summer. . and yeah, not happy about the shaft play... the truck had a hard first 50K or so, but the last 28K have been all highway. My other '03 gearbox was fine at 160K, but it was 99% highway miles.

 

[UAV]

Is X in the PDF the joint that has extra Play?

Nope, all linkage is tight, as are the ball joints. It's the sector shaft, ie; the splined shaft protruding from the steering box that the pitman arm attaches to. All highway miles on the truck, half of which was with the OE wheels and tires.



I'm just not sure if I need to replace the box or not. I do not want to be on a road trip this summer with a failed steering box, however I don't want to incur the expense of unnecessarily replacing the box now. I'm hoping someone can chime in with their experience on this.

 

[E7mack96]

is there an adjustment to "tighten" up the bearing in the box?? ir is it just a wear sleeve in there?

 

[UAV]

PSC Dodge 2500 & 3500 Steering Box Brace - Four Wheeler Magazine seems to indicate sector shaft play is normal. Going to do some research on the different brands available and get myself one.

 

[E7mack96]

some play, yes, but not to the point of an audable clunk as you turn it left or right. and yes, the clunk is the gearbox itself.

 

[kschitoskey]

Steering Box

I had no idea how much play I had until I replaced my leaky steering box. Lots of good info on the TDR about boxes - lead me to Redhead steering boxes out of WA. Very well spent $ 319. I also bought the Defiant brace while I was at it. These 4X4 front ends put a lot of stress on the steering box; just replace it... my $. 02.