2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering Adjustment

[QWaller]

I was going to try to adjust some of the play in the steering gear today. Anyone know of any special tools or hints that might help? I think I need to gog get a spanner wrench, but beyond this, I don't know.

Thanks

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

THE STEERING BOX CAN BE ADJUSTED BUT SHOULD NEVER BE. WHEN THE STEERING BOX IS BEING REBUILT IS WHEN IT WILL BE SET UP PROPERLY, IF (AND IT IS A VERY BIG IF) THE PERSON DOING IT KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING. WHEN IT COMES TO STEERING BOXES THERE ARE SOME OTHER ISSUES. THE BOX IN YOUR RAM IS A GM BOX CALLED THE SAGINAW BOX. MANUFACTURED IN SAGINAW MICH. AT A GM PLANT OR WAS AT ONE TIME. DODGE CHOSE TO USE THEM RATHER THAN DEVELOPE THEIR OWN. THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT KNOW THAT THE BOXES COME IN DIFFERENT RATIOS AND DIFFERENT SIZE PISTONS. I DISCOVERED AFTER 7 YEARS OF MISERY THAT THE WRONG BOX HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN MY RAM. WHEN IT TAKES 4 AND 1/4 TURNS INSTEAD OF 3 TURNS LOCK TO LOCK ON YOUR STEERING WHEEL YOU HAVE THE WRONG BOX FOR A RAM. SINCE I INSTALLED THE RIGHT BOX MY RAM IT STEERS LIKE A CAR. SOME, I FEAR, HAVE REMOVED THEIR BOX AND PUT ANOTHER WRONG BOX IN AND CONCLUDED THE BOX WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. TURN THE INPUT SHAFT STOP TO STOP AND COUNT THE TURNS BEFORE INSTALLATION. IF IT IS 3 TURNS YOU GOT THE RIGHT BOX. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY GM PURPOSELY GAVE DODGE THE WRONG BOXES TO MAKE THEIR COMPETITION LOOK BAD. WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME. SINCE YOU CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE LOOKING AT THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOXES IT COULD HAVE BEEN IGNORANCE ON THE PART OF GM AND MORE IGNORANCE ON THE PART OF DODGE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE 4 AND 1/4 TURN BOXES WERE FOR OVER ONE TON AND LARGER TRUCKS. THE IDEA BEING A TALLER TRUCK MIGHT ROLL OVER IN A PANIC MANEUVER. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SYSTEM OF IDENTIFIEING THESE BOXES BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE IS NONE. MAYBE SOME ASSEMBLY LINE WORKERS TURN THE INPUT SHAFT AND COUNT THE TURNS AND MAYBE SOME DON'T CARE. "CHIP" AT POWER STEERING SERVICES, SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI SENT ME THE RIGHT BOX (REBUILT) AND I SENT HIM MY OLD ONE. IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO FIND SOMEONE THAT CAN STEER YOU STRAIGHT (PUN INTENDED) -- email address removed --

 

[scotmartin]

OUCH my ears!!!!! PLease stop yelling

 

[Signal73]

Whew yeah the caps is a killer to read.

I took some slop out of mine by adjusting the allen head nut on the top of the box. It has a retaining nut you need to loosen first while holding the Allen nut so it dosent spin and negate any tightening of the allen head screw you make.

 

[The patriot]

J.burchfield

What's a new box cost? My steering has been sucking for years. :{

 

[bmoeller]

http://napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=430&CatId=7&SubCatId=5

 

[scotmartin]

What's a new box cost? My steering has been sucking for years. :{

I really don't like pushing products on here. But Darrins Steering Stabilizer "DSS" was a great add on. In effect it makes an old box feel like new.



Scot

 

[WDixon27]

i tweaked my box right after i got the truck but i have been adjusting steering boxes on euro cars for years, i always do the adjustment with the wheels off the ground so i can feel if i get it to tight, move the screw a little then tighten the lock nut and steer it back and forth a couple times to see if you can feel it binding, if not try a little tighter on the screw too tight and it can chew up the box so back off a half turn or so if it doesn't steer smooth

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Sorry about the caps, thought it would be better. I tried that adjustment but the truck still wandered. They call it the over center adjustment and some alignment men won't touch it. I have been told it is only to be used during rebuilding. -- email address removed --

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I got mine from Power Steering Services Springfield Missouri (talk to Chip) Under $200 maybe $179 plus $100 core charge which Chip mails back to you when he receives your box in good condition. It weighes 31 Lbs so you might be out $20 to ship it to them. Ask for a box with the small pistons and 3 turns stop to stop then when you get it turn the input shaft to see if you got the right one. Mistake better caught before the instal. If you go ahead with it I will be glad to tell you the easy way I found to do it. -- email address removed --

 

[WDixon27]

i have found it depends on the box design on weather the screw does anything useful, some boxes the top end wears and others the bottom end wears, on mine it tightened up the slop nicely on my at the time 304k mile box and 4k later it's even better without the slap worn out front wheel bearings, but that's another story

 

[nps]

There is a TSB here from Dodge with instructions on how to adjust the over center and bearing pre-load. About 10* on the pre-load, along with a DSS and 3rd gen track bar, tightened my steering up.

 

[The patriot]

I really don't like pushing products on here. But Darrins Steering Stabilizer "DSS" was a great add on. In effect it makes an old box feel like new.



Scot

Yea, I know. I missed the GP on that one. :{

Eric

 

[The patriot]

I got mine from Power Steering Services Springfield Missouri (talk to Chip) Under $200 maybe $179 plus $100 core charge which Chip mails back to you when he receives your box in good condition. It weighes 31 Lbs so you might be out $20 to ship it to them. Ask for a box with the small pistons and 3 turns stop to stop then when you get it turn the input shaft to see if you got the right one. Mistake better caught before the instal. If you go ahead with it I will be glad to tell you the easy way I found to do it. -- email address removed --

Thanks!

Eric