2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Sloppy Steering box

[Groover]

Guys, Have been following the thread on Darin's steering bracket and have emailed Darin and fully intend to have one.



My problem with the whole thing is the steering box to begin with is of poor design/construction. Just lay under the truck while somebody turns the wheel back and forth and watch the pitman arm "dance". There is no reason for the steering gear box lower bearing to be loose at 20,000 miles or less. That is about all I have been able to get out of a steering box on my truck and DC is not going to put another one on for me as I am out of warranty.



Note: When I say the box is loose at 20,000mi I mean it is really loose and not just a little loose. Probably starts being detectable at around 5,000mi.



I recently ordered a rebuilt box from *(not going to mention the name until I ask if it's ok to mention on here). They told me that the steering gear housing as cast by saginaw is 15 thousands off on the lower bearing surface and within a few thousand miles of wear the bearing begins to move around in the housing. The unmentioned company rebuilds the boxes and bores out the lower bearing surface and drives in a bushing to eliminate the bearing from loosening up in the housing.



Finally somebody is addressing the problem!



Not saying anything bad about fixes like Darins as it is a great idea and reportedly works wonders for loose steering. Why not fix the problem and also use Darins bracket to lessen the load on the bearing and extend gearbox life. Maybe a gearbox could last for more than 20,000 miles.



When I get my rebuilt gearbox installed I can post results for the group ( won't really know untill 5-10,000 miles though).



I sure don't want to continue to buy another new yet (in my opinion flawed) gearbox from DC every 20,000 miles or less.



Just my . 02

 

[jkern]

i agree...

... with u about fixing the box from the begining. mine has quite a significant amount of slop in it at 40K miles. here is my question though... should i just put one of darians devices on my bad box, or should i get a rebuilt one and then his device on? i guess the ??? is, is it worth putting a quality aftermarket device on a sloppy box?



-jeremy

 

[Groover]

My plan is to put on the rebuilt box and install Darin's bracket at the same time and hopefully end my steering box woe's.



I will also rebuild my DT trackbar which by the way has worked well but is beginning to get a little slop in it.



From what I understand Darin's bracket will help take the slop out of even a sloppy box and greatly improve steering.



What I am saying is WHY continue to manufacture and WHY should we continually replace a factory steering box that has such a defect to start with.

 

[Dane]

The design of the box is bad due to the output shaft "floating" with bearings on only one end. There is tremendous twisting torque on the shaft when we turn the wheels. My trucks steering box had play at the end of the shaft when brand new. I don't think anything can be done to fix the problem by rebuilding the box. That's why Darins fix is so intelligent imo, it takes the "duh" out of the original design.

 

[Groover]

Dane, I am not saying that a rebuilt box is "the answer" but it is known that the gearbox design/construction is poor as it comes from the factory.



What I found is that the casting of the housing is off from the get go.



Quote: "My trucks steering box had play at the end of the shaft when brand new. I don't think anything can be done to fix the problem by rebuilding the box"



Your new steering box was not loose when new because of the "tremendous twisting torque"



It was loose because the part of the casting that holds the lower bearing is not right when it leaves the factory.



I found a company that rebuilds the boxes and fixes the poor casting with a bushing. That has got to help the bearing stay tight in the housing. I don't know that it is the "be-all end-all" fix but am going to try it as it is a fraction of the cost of a new factory gearbox.



I will say again that I think Darin's bracket is a great addition to the steering system and takes much of the load off of the steering box bearings and am in no way trying to talk anybody out of buying one.



I was trying to point out to others that might be thinking of purchasing a replacement steering gear as I was that a new steering gear with poor casting may not be the best option. There are other options out there that may or may not be better.



It's your truck so put what you want on it. Maybe somebody else is doing something to improve the steering gear but I have not heard of it.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I have Darin's steering box fix on my truck, and it works great. I have 108000 miles on the truck, and the steering box. Replacing the track bar made a considerable difference in the way the truck drove, but after Darin's fix, it drives better than new, now. And I'm still on the original box.



Jim

 

[MikeBeggy]

I would like to chime in here. I have 150k on my original box. I have adjusted per DC's tech info sveral times. I run 35 inch tires,have dual steering shocks, drive on a lot of hard,washboarded dirt roads and I just installed Darin's pitman arm support because it is such a good idea. I don't turn my steering wheel while not moving (I see all the drivers in parking lots laying down circular patches as they grind thier steering while backing/parking), also, I try not to apply brakes on really bumpy areas such as railroad tracks etc. I don't think driving style is the only contributor to steering box longevity but I feel it's a major part of how much life one can expect. BTW, my ball joints are still as tight as ever even though I bought replacements some time ago. I did have to install a 50 dollar Luke's link to tighten up the track bar. I guess I have been really satisfied with the front end life of my truck especially the way it is used. See ya.

 

[CFAR]

Mine was loose from the factory! Maybe the 10 miles they put on it before I bought it was what ruined the box but I doubt it. Its just a pos right out of the box.

 

[bighammer]

My 03 has some play in it already at 3500 mi. No problems steering wise, but I wonder how long that will last.

 

[jimk]

wondering frount end

I have a 95 that is in good shape or I think so. The truck does not drive good at all. I have not found any thing wrong with it but it drives like it has 0 toe in or even toe out.

The truck is driven mostly on black top, very little dirt roads. Will one of the steering box support kits help in stabilize the poor driving 95 dodge( 4x4). I have not found any loose parts. I have thought that I may take the truck in for a alignment. I thought that 1/16 to 1/8 toe in and as much positive caster as is possible. Any ideas? thanks jimk

 

[illflem]

jimk, have you checked your trackbar?

 

[Dmundell]

Posted problem on the "loose steering box thread". Having a problem with a clanking noise that I can feel on the drivers side floor board. I have installed the DT Track Bar, Darin's stabilizer and noticed a big difference in handling. I think that the noise may be coming from the steering box. I had my wife turn the wheel and the noise seems to be coming from the steering box. I belive that the steering box was so loose before I installed the DSS that a problem still remains in the steering box. Can you please E-mail the name and address of where you had your box rebuilt. This is the second steering box that has been installed by the dealer. I have 60,000 miles on the truck. Has anyone had this problem or have any suggestions?

 

[Josparkz]

ttt

 

[Dmundell]

Groover, or any one have any idea where I can purchase a other than OEM steering box? This will be the third one. The stealer just does'nt cut it any longer. Please pm me if you are worried about saying who I can purchase one from. I am with you the factory box is a pos from the get go. I just want to be done with this problem and move on to some more upgrades. Darins Stabilizer is a excellent product, I would recomend it highly. I do also think, you need to take of, the already loose box.



* * *



I would respectfully request that you refrain from indiscriminately using the reference, stealer. Posting facts/details is fine - absolutely no problem. If you have any questions regarding this request, please e-mail me at: rpatton@ix.netcom.com.



Thank you.



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[SMorneau]

I have the steering bracket and it does really work. If my steering box was not leaky I would try the bracket first. It might be all you need to do. Of course if there is still a warranty on your truck you may want a new box.



If I bought a box that was bored for a bushing I would still use the bracket in case boring weakened the steering box.

 

[Josparkz]

Originally posted by Dmundell

Groover, or any one have any idea where I can purchase a other than OEM steering box? This will be the third one.

http://www.agrperformance.com/home.jspx;jsessionid=1CD998AB6F154EE6B1C98A671175CE72



I have heard these people make one. I e-mailed them and asked a question about their products once. They never bothered to reply , so I bought a brand new OEM one on e-bay , and at a pretty good price .

 

[Dmundell]

Thanks for the address I will see if I can get them to respond. I hate to buy the OEM again, but maybe since I have Darin's Stabilizer it might last this time.

 

[MCrossley]

I don't think there is any reason not to mention the name of the company that does the steering box rebuilds it has been discussed several times before in past years. I will tell you though from those threads the rebuilt steering box's and shaft don't last any longer than the stock one...

 

[Groover]

steering box rebuilder?

Dmundell, I have been off the "puter" for a while and just got back on.



The company that I got my steering box from is...



Steer and Gear in Columbus, Ohio 1-800-253-4327



I talked to Tom ? He seemed very knowledgable and helpfull. The rebuilt box is working great and really makes all the other loose stuff stand out now (intermediate shaft, tie rods, track bar etc)



Time will tell if this rebuilt was the best way to go. For the money I think it is better than a "New" box. I refuse to buy a new box at DC prices. I intended to install a DSS as well to help support the steering shaft but have not got around to it yet.



With installing the rebuilt box and after rebuilding my DT trackbar the truck almost drives good. Still have a little play in the intermediate shaft and one tie rod end that I can tell.



Each of us has to make his own decisions... this was mine



If anybody knows of any other reputable rebuilders or fixes for poor steering please post them. This was the only outfit I found when looking and thought others might benefit from the info.



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