2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering Box Trouble

[MTegtmeyer]

I just purchased a 01 dodge 2500. I have some play in the steering. I have moved the steering wheel looking for play in the steering shaft. Not seeing any at that point, I got under the truck and tried moving the pitman arm. Don't see any play in the tie rod ends or any of the other joints.

Anyone have any other sugestions?



If I need a steering box, does anyone have any sugestions on what to buy?

 

[WKener]

You might look into sold steel

They make a steering box brace that is said to help eliminate the play in the wheel.

 

[dieselshu]

Dss

DSS Rocks, I had the steering wander problem bad, I went thru two steering boxes and three trac bars and finally said the hell with this and threw down the $$ for a DSS, if I would of known when I bought the truck what I know now I would have put one on the truck before I drove off the lot. I have 285's and DC tried to get me to put the 245's back on to determine if the 285 caused the problem but what they didnt realize is that I had the problem before I got the 285's HA! I also put the Lukes Link on the Trac bar. The DSS by far made the most improvement. Well worth the money IMHO. You can buy them thru Mr Bob's distributing or Rip Rook at Sourceautomotive . Dont forget to ask Rip about other items that your thinkin about doing, he will hook ya up!



Dave

 

[snowracer69]

My grandfather has an '02 4x4 CTD and the other day he called and told me it was wandering bad (44k miles) and wanted me to fix it ($$$ no option to him... make it drive like a chevy! is what he says. ) Sooooooooooooo, I call up Rip yesterday at about 12:00 PM and said "I need a DSS, can you get them?" Him, knowing me and having taken many a thousand of dollars from me in the past, he asked for an addy and said it'd be in the mail that afternoon. Guess what was on my doorstep this evening? Is that service or what?!?!?!?!



Just had to brag on Rip a little.



Josh

 

[MTegtmeyer]

Sorry for not knowing this. But someone will have to fill me in on what DSS is?

 

[Paul Somers]

Dss

DSS is Darrin steering stabalizer. It mounts under frame to support lower steering box shaft. My 1999 has less than 60,000 miles and while the DSS did help; it was not a total fix. It still wanders worse than any vehicle I've ever owned. The DSS is a good product and helps. Do search on DSS and you will get plenty of hits.

 

[RCapehart]

I just purchased a 01 dodge 2500. I have some play in the steering. I have moved the steering wheel looking for play in the steering shaft. Not seeing any at that point, I got under the truck and tried moving the pitman arm. Don't see any play in the tie rod ends or any of the other joints.

Anyone have any other sugestions?



If I need a steering box, does anyone have any sugestions on what to buy?

I replaced the trac bar the steering stabalizer and put the DSS on to tighten up the steering box. It helped but still had play in the wheel. I did the over center adjustment on the box. Again it helped but not quite right. I then replaced the steering box. I used a PSC box. http://www.pscpowersteer.com/



This did the trick! I have a new truck again! Everything I replaced needed it. I have the DSS on the new box.

 

[dieselshu]

Sorry for not knowing this. But someone will have to fill me in on what DSS is?

Goto DSS to read about it. Dont be sorry, thats what this forum is about, research, learn, compare, inform on everything about Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel trucks.

 

[MTegtmeyer]

Have you been happy with your pcs steering box?



How hard was it to put in? Did they provide good service?

 

[AHughes]

I just installed a DSS Steering Box brace kit in my 98. 5 4 wheel drive with 90K on it and it did the trick also got mine from Rip Rook at Source Auto. in Portland Oregon. Great service and a great product It solved the wander problem.

 

[wes reeves]

I second the DSS and PSC Steering box. I got a DSS a couple of months ago and it helped a little, but my box just had too much slack in it. Two months and three steering boxes later, I put a PSC gear box on it. I also put a shim in the line pressure regulator in the power steering pump. Now I have no play in the steering and I can steer the truck with my pinky finger. My dad drove it yesterday and he said it steers better than his 04 Dodge Cummins.

 

[satmike]

Mine wanders too. I have a DSS that helped Next I adjusted the box, I don't think that helped. I just got a box from Steer & Gear but haven't installed it yet. They said the stock box has slop in them new. They bore it out and put a bronze bushing in. Hope to install sometime this week and will report. The dump trucks at work have less wander than my truck.

Later Mike

 

[rmrc]

I second the DSS and PSC Steering box. I got a DSS a couple of months ago and it helped a little, but my box just had too much slack in it. Two months and three steering boxes later, I put a PSC gear box on it. I also put a shim in the line pressure regulator in the power steering pump. Now I have no play in the steering and I can steer the truck with my pinky finger. My dad drove it yesterday and he said it steers better than his 04 Dodge Cummins.

I've also just installed a DSS. It improved the steering, but the truck still wanders a bit.



How much trouble was it to change the steering box????



I'm considering getting the PSC box.

 

[wes reeves]

You're wandering may be caused by several things in the front end, but if you determine that it is the steering gear box this is how I do it.



It's not too much trouble. You'll probably need a pitman arm puller though.



1. Remove Pitman arm. (If you have a DSS you'll have to remove that first. )

2. Remove Steering shaft from the box. I belive it's a 15mm bolt and I wedge a small flat head screwdriver in it to make it slide off easier.

3. Remove the hoses going into top of box. On my truck they're both 18mm, but I think some may be different. It's a good idea to have some kind of bucket to catch the power steering fluid that will leak from the hoses.

4. Remove the 3 bolts holding the steering box to the frame. They are 13/16. Be careful when you do this. The steering box is heavy.

5. Hold the new steerting box up with your left arm and work the steering shaft onto the new box with your right arm. (This is the toughest part of whole thing. I have found it easier to do this before bolting the box to the frame. )

6. Re-install the three bolts that hold the box on the frame.

7. Re-install bolt that holds the steering shaft on box.

8. Re-install power steering lines.

9. Re-install pitman arm. (and DSS)

10. Top off power steering reservoir and start truck.



Once you start the truck work the steering wheel back and forth to get any air out of the system. You'll probably need to add fluid again. If the steering wheel is not centered, there is an adjustment on the tierod near where the pitman arm conncts to it. These 2 bolts are 15mm and just loosen them and rotate the turnbuckle. If the bolt on the turnbuckle hit the frame crossmember turn the wheels all the way to the left and it should clear. It takes me a few tries to get the steering wheel centered.

 

[Ramtough]

Any of you guys done TSB 19-10-97? Seems like a less expensive solution. I'm getting ready to try it on my 01

 

[rmrc]

Thanks Wes!!!!

 

[RCapehart]

I also put a shim in the line pressure regulator in the power steering pump.

Wes,



Not familiar with this. How does this help? Also, good instructions on how to replace the box on your other post. I did mine a few weeks ago and I was glad I had the pitman are puller.



Ron

 

[RCapehart]

Any of you guys done TSB 19-10-97? Seems like a less expensive solution. I'm getting ready to try it on my 01

If thats the one that has the over center adjustment I tried it and it did not help much. My box was to far gone.



Ron

 

[wes reeves]

Wes,



Not familiar with this. How does this help? Also, good instructions on how to replace the box on your other post. I did mine a few weeks ago and I was glad I had the pitman are puller.



Ron

This raises the line pressure to the gearbox. It eliminates the steering growl I used to get while turning left into a parking space. I'm not sure that it needs to be done with the PSC gearbox though. To do it I used Tejas Deezul's instructions from this thread.

 

[MTegtmeyer]

Well I just installed my new PCS sterring box. Getting the pitman arm off was a real bear. Broke some fine Craftsman tools in the process.

I am really happy with the box. Took most of the play out of my steering and it is really easy to steer now.