2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission steerting box

[Tractorat]

Has anyone had any luck in having the steering box adjusted on the 4x4 to reduce play ? Or is that just a waste of time ?

 

[JMcCoy]

I've done it many times over the years. It works good. Just make sure you don't go too tight. If you make a turn and let go of the wheel, it should return to center, If it doesn't, back it off a hair. Good luck.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks, just want to get rid of the slop and wandering. Its not horrible right now, but it should be a lot better than it is.

 

[madmanmanick]

I found that adding the steering box brace and changing the steering damper tightened everything up pretty good.

 

[JMcCoy]

Also watch out for tie rod flop. It can also cause a great deal of slop.

 

[Tractorat]

I found that adding the steering box brace and changing the steering damper tightened everything up pretty good

Thanks,
I did have a steering box brace installed a while ago. Helped a little, but not to my satisfaction. I hoping that adjusting the box will help a lot. If not, I guess ill just get a new steering box.

 

[satmike]

What finally fixed mine was a track bar from Trex tech. Hiem joints on both ends and drives straight as an arrow, no wandering. I did the steering box brace, 03 trackbar and about everything else imaginable and nothing fixed until I put the Trex bar on. 5 years and I just rebuilt the ends and all is great

 

[fest3er]

As to steering wander, don't forget the suspension bushings. They're usually well worn at 100k miles. When I installed the SSI steering stabilizer, it make a big difference in steering. But after a few more years, the wander was back. Finally, I fixed it by replacing the 8 bushings on the front suspension. After that, I had to re-learn, once again, how to steer the truck.

Don't depend on a static check of the bushings. Even nearly worn out, you can't put enough force on them to show they're worn. If the bushings are over 10 years old and/or have over 150k miles on them, replace them.

If you have to see the motion, strap a web cam under the truck to record the front/back motion of the front axle. You might be surprised at how much motion there is. And you might be surprised at how little movement it takes for the steering to wander.

 

[JKinney]

I have not posted in a long time Just installed the new Borgeson (sp) steeeering box glad i did as my next trip was Maine to south padre island steered fantastic

 

[HCannon]

A Borgeson box did great for me. I put new tie rod ends and the Borgeson on a 4x4 3500 dw 98 50k miles ago and it drives great today. It was kinda high in cost but well worth it.

 

[Fireman Dave]

I also bit the bullet a few years ago and put the Borgeson box in. Money well spent. The last time my wife drove the truck, she was amazed at the difference.