steering gear box going?? how do you tell???

[rraulston]

well, i have been noticing lately substantially more play in my steering wheel. I have been reading on here about "wander" I dont know if I wander, but i can move the steering wheel back and fourth 5 inches with out moving the tires. I think it was gradual and snuck up on me. Most of my driving is on winding roads. I dont like to mess around, should i get a new one and if so, which?? Or let it get worse and keep driving. Got 100K on it now... . RRR

 

[Challenger-II]

Your box probably needs an adjustment. I have done this on mine and it got rid of the play you speak of. Do a search of the threads for the procedure. Easy as hell.

Good luck

 

[Guest00]

Ya crawl under the truck and check all the front end parts including pitman shaft side thrust.

 

[KCJackson]

Your steering box is actually shot when you have difficulty turning. You may feel resistance when turning a corner, followed by a "snap" or "pop", followed by normal action by the steering wheel. Burnt power steering fluid, or frequent need to refill without detecting any leaks, are also good signs. If you ignore these symptoms, your steering box will then stop turning to one side (e. g. , only being able to go straight or to one side, but not the other). Been there, done that with an F150 years ago.

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1996 3500 Club 4x4 Laramie SLT, unmodified 180/420 12-valve, 47RE automatic, 3. 54 limited slip

 

[TKemper]

rraulston,
This is a sore subject. I had alot of wander also. The original linkage was good and so were the ball joints. The play was in the box. It was also starting to leak fluid passed the pitman shaft seal. I ended up replacing the box with an AGR variable assist SuperBox2 and Superpump. The first AGRbox was no good and had to be sent back. The next one was OK. AGR seems to make a quality product, but their service is for the birds. Lots of calls to get the replacement parts and core charge returned. Also, before the box problem, I replaced the steering shaft with a Borgeson unit. It eliminated the clunk I was feeling. But I finally have a truck that is tight and responsive. No more WANDER! Todd

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97 2500HD 4x4 ST 12v, K&N, 16cm turbine housing, recalibrated pump, Geno's man trans filter, McLeod dual disc clutch, LSD with 3. 54's and Amsoil, AGR power steering box and pump, Borgeson steering shaft, Skyjacker 2" leveling kit, Rancho RS9000's, dual RS5000 steering stabilizers, AR Outlaw II wheels with 33x12. 5 Bridgestone Desert Duellers, Lund visor, Ventvisor window shades, Glasstite HiRise cap, aluminum tailgate protector, illuminated bumper guide poles, Cobra CB, Wilson 5000 antenna, Alpine CD, Infinity spkrs, Fosgate amp with 8" Bazooka tubes, Hayes elec brake controller and Husky floor liners. 16. 247 @ 87. 52mph quarter mile at 6700lbs