Steering Gear Replacement

[KMyrick]

I have a clunking noise that I can hear and feel in my steering wheel and pedals. I checked the shaft that comes from the steering wheel. It has some play in it. I took it to the Dodge dealer and they said my steering gear needed replacement. Not a cheap fix ($805. 00), and I was wondering if any of you experts had an opinion if I should have Dodge fix it, or should an amateur such as myself take on the challenge of fixing it myself. Any advice is greatly appreciated.



Thanks,



Kyle

 

[Bob4x4]

The pitman arm will take a Very strong puller to remove the arm. Snap-on version is about $300,the rentals I have seen don't cut it. Not a hard job but the proper tools are a must.

 

[CPittman]

Buy your new steering gear from Harvey at Red Head Steering Gears (search this forum for "steering gear" - lots of threads).



You will need the Snap-On pitman arm puller part number CJ119B. You can find them on eBay or I'll sell you mine for $75 plus shipping.



As always, the right tool makes all the difference and the wrong tool can cause more problems.



Once your new steering gear is on use the turnbuckle on the steering linkage to re-center the steering wheel.



Just call Harvey and he'll give you the "how-to" and the good parts.

 

[KMyrick]

Thanks guys! I will look into it further...

 

[CPittman]

It's not a hard job, just takes a little time. I think Harvey's boxes are around $350 or so with a core charge added on top of that. I had him do a UPS return ship to get my old box back to him.



You'll need a 1-1/4" socket to get the nut off of the pitman arm. You might soak it for a couple of days prior with some PB Blaster / Kroil / Liquid Wrench. The same goes for the three bolts that hold the box to the frame rail. (remember that if you unbolt the sway bar it will swing down and knock your teeth out so put some blocking under there if you take it loose).



Put your Snap-On puller on and give it some torque. I showered down on mine and it still wasn't moving, so I went for a beer and I heard it hit the shop floor. Sure enough, I took a peek under there and the puller was on the floor and the pitman arm was off! Cool.



Disconnect one of the hydraulic lines from the steering box itself and disconnect the other from the location near the firewall (seemed easier to me). Then re-assemble the one hydraulic line onto the box while it's out of the truck. Have someone help you up top to fish the hyd. line back up.



Button it all back up, put a little thread locker on the pitman arm nut. Follow Harvey's instructions for priming / filling the hydraulics.



Use a regular plumbing monkey wrench to turn the turnbuckle just off the pitman arm to straighten the steering wheel and you're all done.



Time for a frosty malted beverage or five...

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Red Head on mine... ... Awesome!



Was on trip in May and it was actually scarey, white knuckle driving on the last day. I ordered mine while I was on the road and changed it out the following week.



Amazing difference, even to this day with 10K+ miles on it.



You will not be dissapointed with Red Head.

 

[DPalmquist]

Yea great guy, great company, What an improvement mines been on for about 10K, Steering is better than new.

 

[KMyrick]

I ordered a new SG from Harvey today. Look forward to getting it in.

 

[KMyrick]

So I have decided to take on this project my self to save the 250 bucks the dealer wants to do it for me. Do you remember how to prime the system once everything is off and back on and ready to go?



Thanks.

 

[Motorhead]

So I have decided to take on this project my self to save the 250 bucks the dealer wants to do it for me. Do you remember how to prime the system once everything is off and back on and ready to go?

Thanks.

Fill the power steering pump res. and start the engine. I like to have the front wheels off of the ground. Turn the wheel slowly lock to lock several times and keep checking the fluid level.

 

[KMyrick]

Cool... . I like when things are simple like that. I sure appreciate the feedback Motorhead.



I purchased some prestone power steering fluid to replace mine with. Is that a good idea or should I get a couple quarts from the Dodge dealer?



Thanks,



Kyle

 

[WoodChuck]

Cool... . I like when things are simple like that. I sure appreciate the feedback Motorhead.

I purchased some prestone power steering fluid to replace mine with. Is that a good idea or should I get a couple quarts from the Dodge dealer?

Thanks,

Kyle

Bad idea, the fill should be ATF + 4.

 

[CPittman]

Kyle, you need to talk this over with Harvey before you start. Harvey had me install the system and turn it lock to lock a couple of times with the engine off to purge major air bubbles. After that I filled the reservoir to the top, had a helper start the engine and then shut it right back off because the pump will suck the reservoir dry and you don't want it to suck air. Basically, you can't fill the reservoir fast enough to keep up with the pump; so start it and shut it back off - maybe a couple of times till the level stabilizes. The new gear will groan a few times as you cycle it lock to lock but the system will stabilize and settle down fairly quickly. DO put the lid on the reservoir as you cycle it but DO NOT TIGHTEN IT DOWN yet. The air coming back through the lines into the reservoir will pressurize it. I left mine slightly loose until the level stabilized.

 

[KMyrick]

WoodChuck and CPittman:



Thanks for the advice. I will talk with Harvey and locate the proper steering fluid.





Kyle

 

[KMyrick]

Thank you Andres.



K

 

[KMyrick]

Steering Gear and new hoses are all in and working well. Klunking noise and sloppy steering are gone. A big THANK YOU to all who provided me with good advice and instructions. I could not have done it with our your help.



Kyle

 

[JohnBoy5]

do you want to sell that snap-on puller by chance? will it fit the 01 also?

 

[CPittman]

Hey, that's good news Kyle! Good advice and instructions are what the TDR is all about. You did it the right way - ask BEFORE you start... I do it backwards most of the time. Congratulations!

 

[KMyrick]

Thanks CPittman.



TDR is worth it's weight in gold. I know pretty much nothing about fixing trucks. The membership fee has paid for itself 20 times already in savings alone.



Kyle

 

[KMyrick]

I picked on up at Napa for a decent price. It is made in Taiwan, and I had to tap it a bit with a hammer to get it on. Once it was on I put a lot of muscle into and it did not come off. I gave the arm a light tap with a hammer and the thing came flying off.