steering box bad again ?

[Dtroyer]

About a month ago I had my steering box replaced by a local shop I always deal with. Now I still feel and hear a clunking in the front end. can really feel the play in the steering wheel when going over bumpy road or gravel. Had 2 machanics check the front end and they both say that everything is tight but there is some play on the shaft coming out the bottom of steering box. Checked with the Dodge dealer and they said that they will warrenty the box if its bad but they can't warrenty the labor because the didn't put it in. So now I think I'll just take it to the dealer so if it goes bad again I'll at least have a year warrenty on it. Anyone else have a new box go bad that fast.

 

[Extreme1]

By "some play on the shaft" do you mean that the output shaft is loose or able to wobble? It should be tight but unless there is a vary slight amount of play, I would look at the steering shaft between the column and the box. You would get really good feedback (feeling) if there was play in it.



I just replaced my steering box (should have 100,000 miles ago) and now I can feel a perceptable clearance (clunk) that is a loose shaft.

 

[Dtroyer]

Thanks for the reply extreme1. When I'm going over rough ground or gravel it feels like the whole steering system is seperated from the steering wheel. It's pretty loose. The shaft out of the box only has play in it when the steering wheel is turned I can't really take the shaft by hand and move it. The steering shaft has a little play in it but not bad. I was told that the 99s and newer have a better steering shaft than the older trucks. All well I need to get what ever it is fixed because its getting worse and I'm getting scared to drive it too much.

 

[MHindman]

I think i am having kind of the same problem, but it doesnt seem as bad on my truck. It just seems kinda of sloppy to me. Will dodge fix this? Let me know if anyone finds the answer. thanks guys

 

[Dtroyer]

MHindaman I got my truck back from the dealer today and it was the intermediate shaft. The shaft between steering wheel and the box. You were right Extreme1. So now I have a new steering box and a new shaft. I think the first machanic that said it was the box was wrong and now I've got a spare box that I don't think anythings wrong with it. One of the tie rods was worn also. No thumping and its fun to drive again.