Steering Box upgrades, whats the latest

[seafish]

The new Mopar box has a completely different feel than the stock or a Borgeson or a Red head. Whether it is a ratio change or valving change or both is hard to tell. It will feel heavier coming from the others. It will also have a lot more road fell and input form the suspension cycling. It should not be tight across center, that would indicate it is adjusted wrong. It still steered easily with a couple fingers going down the road if everything else is good. I put it in with a pump that has 11 years and 260k on it and it will turn the wheels easily both ways sitting still, and that is with wider taller tires than stock…I have done 2 of these and put quite a few miles on them. Once you get used to how it feels and works it is better than the OE. You get much better road feel without the wander on rough roads and an suspension lift, even wit the t-type steering. With a cross over steering system control and feel is much more enhanced.

That describes EXACTLY how my truck feels and drives after installing the larger Mopar pump. I have always wanted to try the "bypass spring pressure/orifice size" mod on the newer pump to see if I could get j easier LOW SPEED turning then it offers out of hte box, but ultimately it drives well enough as is to prevent me from experimenting and possibly ruining the pump…LOL

 

[cerberusiam]

First check and see if you have any up an down movement in the sector shaft, if you do adjust that out and test the feel.

 

[petersonj]

I wonder if I turn in the adjustment screw clockwise a quarter turn or so at a time and test drive the truck if this will be adequate to see if it is changing things

Over the years I have done a few of these adjustments with the steering gearbox on the truck (always my truck) and I have had good results, but... I follow a detailed procedure that ensures that I can go back to the original adjustment if it doesn't work out.

First, I have to agree with Bob4x4 - the best way to make the adjustment is on the bench and following his detailed instructions.

I also agree with Cerberusiam, if you decide to do it on the truck, it is better to be a little loose than too tight.

Here are the steps that I take under the assumption that the steering wheel isn't sticking or dragging when making minor steering corrections while driving straight ahead:

1. I place the correct size box end wrench on the jam nut of the adjusting screw in a position to break it loose. But, before I break it loose, I place the proper size allen wrench in the adjuster screw and position it so there is room to turn the allen wrench 60 degrees tighter (one flat) without removing it. Do not let the allen wrench move when breaking the jam nut loose.

2. Break the jam nut loose, turn the allen wrench 60 degrees tighter, and reset the jam nut. Record this step on paper.

3. Drive the truck and check for improvement (less play) and that the steering wheel is not sticking or dragging when making minor steering corrections while driving straight ahead.

4. Repeat stet 2 and step 3 until you start to feel the steering wheel sticking or dragging when making minor steering corrections while driving straight ahead.

5. When you finally reach the point that the steering wheel is sticking or dragging on the test drive, then you have reached the point that the adjustment is too tight. Back off the adjusting screw 60 degrees at a time until the sticking or dragging feel is gone.

If your steering box is in good condition, you should feel a significant improvement when you are finished. If you don't feel any steering improvement during this adjustment, then as Cerberusiam says, the steering box is worn and you will have to live with a little looseness to get smooth steering.

Hope this helps...

- John