2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering Box Question

[surfbeetle]

It's about time for a new steering box. I like the idea of the Borgeson from Genos. I don't think my Pittman arm is the original, here's a shot of it, will it work with that box and is the Pittman arm aftermarket or OEM? Also, what's involved with the steering shaft change out if I go this route?

Thanks

 

[David411]

If the pitman arm fits the stock box it will fit the new box as far as I know. Steering shaft is EXTREMELY EASY to remove, it is just two bolts, that are a 10mm I believe. One on the top, one on the bottom. Just loosen the bolts first when they are easily accessed. I took the pitman arm off first, then moved the shaft to where I could remove the bolts easily.

 

[surfbeetle]

Thanks, now just need to get the time and money to do this...

 

[DSeamans]

Box

Not to discourage you, only to give you something to think about. I had one of the tight ratio high dollar boxes. It was bad and they wouldn't believe me. For the warranty I had to take it off, send it in, then wait for them to go through it and decide if they would honor the warranty. My truck would be down for 2 weeks at least. Plus the box was $385. Oreilly auto sold me one for $169 with a lifetime warranty. They keep it in stock. If I THINK theres a problem, I take it off, hand it to them and they hand me a new one-no questions. I have to turn it a little further in the corner, but it turns easier and turns in a parking lot.



Dave

 

[surfbeetle]

Dave,

Good to know. I haven't quite decide what way to go yet. My truck has 197,xxx miles on it and has been fine with this box so far, I may just go with a stock replacement. I just had to spend $300 on my wife's car so I have to wait until next pay day.

 

[David411]

Not to discourage you, only to give you something to think about. I had one of the tight ratio high dollar boxes. It was bad and they wouldn't believe me. For the warranty I had to take it off, send it in, then wait for them to go through it and decide if they would honor the warranty. My truck would be down for 2 weeks at least. Plus the box was $385. Oreilly auto sold me one for $169 with a lifetime warranty. They keep it in stock. If I THINK theres a problem, I take it off, hand it to them and they hand me a new one-no questions. I have to turn it a little further in the corner, but it turns easier and turns in a parking lot.



Dave

That was exactly the problem. Before the Borgeson box came out there was no good aftermarket solution because all aftermarket products relied on the same outdated Saginaw box. I talked to Red-Head steering gears a while back when I was looking at replacing my steering box, they said they could quicken up the ratio but it would hurt the longevity of the box and it would not last at all if the truck was lifted or had bigger tires installed. PSC tried making a better box out of the stock Saginaw unit but quit making them after a while because they simply did not last, I have heard the same thing about AGR boxes as well. This new Borgeson box is not even related to the stock unit, as it is a modern Delphi unit with no internal similarities to the stock Saginaw box at all.

 

[surfbeetle]

I'm reviving this thread rather than start a new one...

So it's four years later, I have 225,xxx miles and only drive the truck once a week or when I'm pulling the fifth wheel thanks to the addition of a Challenger to my stable. Now I need to change the steering box and shaft. I was wondering if I bought the Borgeson 000950 steering shaft will it work on my original stock box? I would like to do the shaft this month and then the Borgeson box next month but can't do both at once.
Thanks

 

[VolsFan]

I have had both the borgeson box on the 99 and currently run the redhead gearbox. I like both, borgeson box had tight turn ratio. If you want to use the borgeson shaft have to grind a little of the splined shaft on the oem gearbox. I personally put a new box on and a new oem shaft. A fraction of the cost and lasted nearly 200k the first go around. I didn't have good experience with auto parts stores boxes, worse than what I was replacing, don't think quality control is there in the Chinese factories. I don't really like changing gearboxes unnecessarily. It's worth extra $ to buy quality US parts. The ordering process for the redhead box was easy really nice people that know their stuff. Got the borgeson from genos and certainly no complaints there either! At any rate changing the boxes in both cases dramatically corrected my steering.- also, the borgeson box is not rebuilt so no core charge if you weren't already aware. All the others are rebuilds, redhead being the best that I have dealt with, core return process was easy

 

[JMcCoy]

I believe the Borgenson shaft will swap right onto the oem box without modification. It's when you are using the Borgenson box with the oem shaft when you have to grind the spines. I am about 9% positive this is accurate.

 

[surfbeetle]

JMcCoy, I'm hoping 9% is a typo... I think I'll at least order the shaft and see what happens. Then I'll have to just get the box next month, just cant' swing both in the same month.

 

[GAmes]

I replaced my original steering box somewhere around 500k with a Dodge factory reman. It is still on the truck, along with the original steering shaft. What are you guys doing that requires early steering box replacement?

 

[JMcCoy]

JMcCoy, I'm hoping 9% is a typo... I think I'll at least order the shaft and see what happens. Then I'll have to just get the box next month, just cant' swing both in the same month.

Unfortunately it wasn't. After some thought, I'm more like 12% positive. LOL! The steering box support made a big difference. I have heard conflicting information on whether the support will fit the offset of the Borgenson box. I figured I would cut and weld my support when I can pony up for the Borgenson. Good luck and please keep us posted on your results.

 

[surfbeetle]

Okay, I bought the borgeson shaft and installed it today on the factory original box. I have a question, there's a collar that was on the shaft between the rubber boot and the joint at the steering box end. I slid that up to the rubber boot and tightened the allen bolt on it. Was that correct? There was nothing in the instructions that made mention of this.

In the process of installing the shaft, I drove the truck a few times around the block to make sure I got the shaft on the correct spline so the steering wheel was in the correct position going straight. I could tell then that it made an improvement. Then when I was done, I adjusted the box and the combination of the two made the truck drive much better. I still plan to save up for the borgeson box, but now I have bought some time. I'm considering having the box changed out by a shop since a flush of the power steering system should be performed. I don't think I really have the stuff to flush out the system. Has anyone done the flush on their own and what's needed?