Steering box!HELP please

[JBournes]

Well on my home last night the road construction people thought it would be a great idea to leave the pavement uneven about 3 inches! When i hit the BAB( big a!@ bump) my steering wheel is now 60 degrees to the right of where it use to sit. So i think something slipped inside of the steering box. I have replaced the coupler that gets wore out as well as the connecting rod from the steering box to the actual tie rod. And that took care of alot of my play in my steering. Does anyone know how much a steering box will cost me or if i can rebuild it? I will check the mounting plate as well when i take it off. Was just wondering if anyone had any info on my current problem. Seems like i get one thing fixed and another falls apart, Murphy's law i guess. But life would be boring if things didnt happen and i am not going to get rid of my CTD, so i am needing some help from the greatest support group in the world AKA(TDR'ers)



JEB

 

[Steve Graham]

The problem could be that problematic reinforcement plate that Dodge used to mount the steering box on rather than bolting it directly to the frame as on the 2WD's. My steering wheel is off the same as your right now just from street driving with larger tires. I have tried reinforcing the reinforcement plate with welding and bracing the whole steering assembly with large "U" bolts but that hasn't worked very well. A month or so ago one of the 4WD magazine had an article on fixing this problem on old 4WD Dodge's. They bolted the steering box to the frame as it is on the 2WD's and went to a cross over steering with the drag link. There are some problems with interference with the front cross member but this sounds like the best bet to fix the steering problem.



Steve

 

[JBournes]

Update

Well i have definatley found my problem, i went and started looking at the gear box to see if i could see a problem. And what do you know, I FOUND ONE. A huge problem, the front driver side leaf spring is broke. Yep i said broke, snapped in two, FUBAR. :--) So it looks like i will be giving National Sping in El cajon a call monday. Right now i have the standard 6 leaf pack, I am thinkin of getting more leafs to make a better rida as well as have them arched about an inch so it doesnt sag in the front from the weight of that great work horse we all love the CTD. Any thing anyone recommends before i order these monday morning. How many leafs are in the skyjackers i read about you guys putting on our rigs?



JEB

 

[Steve Graham]

Good choice on National Spring. Had them on the rear for 10 years, no complaints. Just wish I'd put them on the front instead of SJ's



Steve

 

[JBournes]

SJ's

How many leafs are on your SJ's mine have 6. Do yours have more and are they alot smoother. I mean anything short of a D-8 cat feeling would be what im looking for,lol.



JEB