Steering box falling apart.

[Motorhead]

Yeah... ... Show us the install and the new, big, beefy, humungus. better built steering box!!! My '07 has 60,000mi on it and still steers like new but there will come a day... ... .

 

[Yo Hoot]

Damn smart phones think they can out spell me... ... .

Bob, do you know if the lines will fit up to the new pump and box?

 

[Bob4x4]

Should be no problem with the lines

 

[WalterJ]

To: Yo Hoot
cc: Seafish, Denzin & Robin Patton:

I've read with interest your blogs re: steering gear boxes. I visited local Dodge dlr. today for prices on the following items and the years they are listed to fit:
$700 68170214AA Steering Box '03--'08
$579 68034326AB Kit, Pump & Pulley '02-'10
$110 68034303AB Reservoir, PS Pump '00-'13
$15 68100252AA Bracket, PS Pump '00-'13
------
$1404

Query--What heavy duty upgrade are you referring to? The dealer does not know of one, unless it's being supplied under the original "old" P/N. The P/N for the 2012 truck is quite different, e. g.
$682 52122316AF Steering Box '09-'12

I rode in my son's GMC 4x4 last night [to view the meteor showers], and his turning radius sucks. I DO NOT WANT that limitation on my Ram, as Denzin discovered & was kind enough to share.

Thanks to all you lads who take the time to keep this TDR thang the best in the business.

 

[WalterJ]

Bob4x4:



Can't find data search on "irrc 68170214 sterring gear box". What is it? Where is it? Thanks. See my recent blog to Yo Hoot.

 

[WalterJ]

Found this at PolyPerformance.com... is this what y'all are talking about as a heavy duty gear box?

PSC 06-11 Dodge 2500/3500 Extreme Series Steering Kit

Dodge 2500/3500 Extreme Series Steering Kit

Details:
SKU: PSC-SK696
Weight: 50. 00 lbs
Price: $774. 00

Options:
Quantity


Add to Cart



Add to Wishlist




Description:
This New Delphi gear box kit will give your heavy duty Dodge all the steering power you need to get the job done. This is a complete bolt in kit that comes with everything you need. The new gear box has a larger piston that gives you 26. 5% more power and a sector shaft that is 65% larger than the previous gear. This kit is compatible with our previous generation steering stabilizer brackets by adding part number ZSBNT03.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Walter,

Yes that is what we are talking about.

The PSC-SK696 kit is the same as the Chrysler part 68170214AA. PSC just buys them from Chrysler and then uses their own part number.
Comes with a new pitman arm and rod end.

The description PSC provides answers your previous question to me about what it is...

This New Delphi gear box kit will give your heavy duty Dodge all the steering power you need to get the job done. This is a complete bolt in kit that comes with everything you need. The new gear box has a larger piston that gives you 26. 5% more power and a sector shaft that is 65% larger than the previous gear.

I wanted to replace my pump also so I purchased the rest of the parts on the list.

By the way, I asked my local dealer about the new box. They said they didn't know anything about it. In many cases, we know more than the dealerships do.

 

[WalterJ]

Yo Hoot,

... and one more time pls. , why purchase a new Pump & Pulley? Is this a fitment issue, pressure/flow issue. Now the $64, 000 question: If my $300 reman lasted about 150K miles 'till now, what pray tell might a person estimate the life expectancy of a brandy new, hvy duty gear box? [I don't plow nor go off-roading, just 30K-35K/year @ 50% towing with the big OEM Michelins] IMO, $700 is a good value if I never have to think about it again.

It's just as important for me to decide to DO something as it is NOT to DO something, and this issue of steer box replacement is in the middle of my ignorance window. Like the ol' sage laments, "A word from the wise should be sufficient". Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I got the pump because my old one went dry once and I noticed the fluid was horribly filthy. I don't want to run the old dirty pump with a new box. I also believe someone said the newer pump has more flow? I also don't like the poor performance of the stock system.

Did your reman really last 150,000 or was it bad for half that time?

Bottom line, if you are going to replace it why put in the same when bigger and better is available? That's my filosofy.

 

[WalterJ]

Yo Hoot: The Borgenson arrived Tues aft. , but I opted for the $700 68170214AA Steering Box '03--'08, as it would only be an additional $200 & would not require "hand machining" flats on the boxs' input shaft. The install began today & went South in a hurry. The new pitman arm had a wierd twist in the end, which when mounted, caused it to contact the 'tie rod' attached to it. The technicians spent several hours of phone calls & research to yield Chrysler's advice from Engineering, that the entire steering linkage needs replacing to maintain proper geometry with this new Steer gear box! Now that's another $600! Tomorrow's another day. We'll take a fresh look at it then.

Remember I questioned what's heavy duty about it? Whew, it's a monster, 25% larger & the sector drive shaft is twice the 2004 diameter.

How is your replacement gear box install going?

 

[Yo Hoot]

You did the right thing going with the better box in my opinion.

I had already installed the newer steering linkage years ago.

I won't be installing mine for at least another week or so. Busy oiling a couple of decks. I have the smaller one done. The bigger one is pressure washed but has to dry... and it keeps raining.

Once that's done I'll concentrate on the truck. I also have to remove a bunch of stuff off the front of the motor so I can seal the gear case. Been leaking oil for years. Another fellow fixed his by simply cleaning it up and laying a bead of Permatex oil ATV in the corner. A lot cheaper than having the whole front of the engine torn apart to fix a leak.

It'll be a pretty big job so I need to get other things done that are in limbo before taking that on.

This is what the deck will look like when it's done... these pics are from the first time I oiled it.

#ad

 

[Yo Hoot]

Your problem might be the size tires your running.

I just finished installing ball joints and took it for a test drive with the 315/70 17s), then installed 285/70 17s and the steering is totaly different, no more fighting while in parking lots making slow turns. I will never put anything larger than 285s on my truck again. [SIZE=+0] [/SIZE]Just my opinion...

So why doesn't GM and Ford have this issue?



I think it sucks that a 3/4 ton HD diesel pickup has a steering power issue with 35" tires.