Which steering gear box??

[steved]

Need a new box, what are my options?



I got input shaft play... almost an 1/8th turn before it wiggles the pitman arm. I've adjusted the box, but that only applies to the pitman arm shaft, and while it helped the wandering, it didn't help the constant correction from input oversteer.



I found a remanufactured on RockAuto for $132, but I have serious doubts in reman'd units.



What are my options? AGR? PSC? Others?? Which is preferred?

 

[brods]

Try this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com.../216061-options-steering-box-replacement.html

 

[steved]

Hydraulic ram assist is a little overkill for street driving, no?

 

[brods]

Yes, I forgot that thread had ram stuff. It also talked about red hat Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Home



There might have been another thread I was thinking of. Iirc very few choices for a new box, but some of the rebuilders appear to make modifications to greatly improve the stock box (like replacing the bushing on the pitman shaft with a bearing, etc)

 

[steved]

I like the sound of that place... sent them an email to see what they have to offer.



I definitely need something... long trips are very tiring chasing it constantly.

 

[JZellers]

I bought one of their gears last year for my Excursion. Even though they're not as convenient as a local store, I feel they're worth the money (at the time about $100 more than NAPA). The shipping is really not much of a hassle and they charge you for the return at the same time, so all you have do do is stick the label on and drop the core off at UPS. They're a very good rebuild and are very tight - like they say on their web site, there's really zero play in their boxes. I'm going to be replacing the box in my 03 with their gear as well. It was really loose and I adjusted the slop out but I still feel like I have the oversteer correction issue you describe.



Joe

 

[DAAguiar]

PS replacment

I have had great service from this company. PSC Motorsports.

I have a psc box on my truck now, I ordered one with light valving and a fast ratio. great people to deal with. Just tell them what you ned.

 

[moonranch]

I replaced my steering box with a NAPA unit, the first one I got had a crack in the side of the box and leaked. The replacement NAPA box (no charge) worked fine for about 8 months. After that I went to Dodge and bought a new box, it has been working great for the last 14 months.

 

[steved]

I purchased a Redhead box on Monday night. I probably will get it next week.

Will report back once I get it installed...

 

[DBentley]

Napa box on my 06.
It's 6 months old and ok for now.

 

[Buffalo]

Is there something wrong with the stock steering gear boxes? It sounds like they are not of the "best" quality from all the replies, here. Also, the number of companies rebuilding them.



What causes them to wear out prematurely? Is there anything one can do to slowdown the wear-out process?



Last year, I installed a Defiant steering gearbox sectorshaft stabilizer bar on my '03, 3500. I now have about 76,000 miles on the truck. Will the sectorshaft stabilizer bar slowdown or stop the premature wear-out of the steering gearbox?



Thanks for your input.



Joe F.

 

[steved]

This is how it was explained to me...

*There are several "bushings" in the stock boxes that wear prematurely.

*The parts inside (the balls and the shaft) are fitted very poorly even when new (loose tolerances).

*The input shaft adjustment is not adjusted correctly when new.

These boxes are the same as used on the Fords, so we are not alone with these issues. I'm probably going to install a steering brace soon after installing this new box... to help prolong the new box's life.

 

[Buffalo]

STEVED,



Thanks for the explanation.



Have you heard whether the aftermarket steering sectorshaft stabilizers prevent the bushings from wearing out? I was under the impression that these bars keep the entire gearbox from flexing the trucks frame where they are mounted. I could be wrong!!!



My '03 does not seem to have the steering wander, so far as I can tell. I just finished an RV trip of close to 3000 miles & didn't notice that steering wander was a problem. I think I would have noticed an unusual amount of steering correction.



I'm hoping that my sectorshaft stabilizer will prevent premature wearout of the steering gearbox.



Joe F.

 

[steved]

I really didn't notice much play until after 150k... and that was a combination of poor alignment and loose box.

I can't see how the sector shaft support brace can't help since it adds support out at the end of that normally unsupported shaft. It makes sense to me...

 

[Buffalo]

STEVED,



Thanks for your reply.



I installed the Defiant Steering Sector Shaft Support Bar as a preventative measure to help extend the life of the steering gear box. It 'sounds' like it should work, to me.



Joe F.

 

[steved]

How do you like the Defiant brace?

 

[Buffalo]

STEVED,



I have no complaints about the Defiant product. Paul, the owner was very nice & helpful to deal with.



My truck has the Lorenz Bilstein 5100 Suspension System installed on it. Part of that system involves 1-1/2" aluminum drop blocks to lower the sway bar. Because of the drop blocks & lowered sway bar, my only choice in sector shaft stabilizers was the Defiant product. Unless, I purchased the heavy-duty, aftermarket connectors from the sway bar to the axle (don't remember what they are called). They were a bit expensive but, probably a better way to go, expecially if you drive your truck aggressively on rough surfaces or 'jump' your truck. I do none of those things & purchased the Defiant bar for preventative measures to preserve the steering gear box.



I researched the different sector shaft supports before purchasing the Defiant. The BD product looks to be stout. I'm not an engineer but, the square tube with trailing arms 'appeared' to be strong. BOB4X4 liked that product better than my choice. He seems to be quite savvy on suspension system upgrades & I respect his opinions. However, replacing the end links on the sway bar & buying the sector shaft support was going to get expensive & since I don't do aggressive off-road driving, I didn't think this was absolutely necessary.



The Defiant product is a flat piece of what appears to be pretty strong steel with a bend in it at the front. The bend is for extra strength, I believe. Again, I'm not an engineer but, I've heard that if you put a bend into steel, it becomes quite a bit stronger & less likely to bend or warp. The Defiant product looks good to me. I'd buy it again. However, it may not be the best product if you're going to "jump tall buildings, in a single bound" like Superman. I have no intensions of doing that!!!



Joe F.

 

[seafish]

IMHO, the Defiant steering box support brace is a uniquely well designed and manufactured part that more then ably does the job it is supposed to do. When I installed mine, I couldn't believe how much play it took out of my steering, and I didn't even think I had a problem in the first place!!

I just wanted to do some PM along with the 08 steering upgrade. Before buying the Defiant, I had definitely been leaning towards the original box-beam style manufactured by SSI in Canada, but after talking with Paul at Definat, found him so knowledegable and honest in his help, that I later called back and ordered his. I was NOT dissapppointed in it's design or craftsmanship. I also have one of his Stainless Steel Rock guards that I bought used here from a TDR member. I have not installed it yet, but it is also a nicely designed and manufactured piece of steel!!



Just so you know, I have no financial interest in Defiant Truck Products-- I just find them to be well designed and well made by someone who knows and cares what they are doing and ALSO has excellent customer service and support... I mean, what else can you ask for?? Oo. Oo.

 

[steved]

Thanks for the input...

The Defiant brace is also about $30 cheaper than the others... so I pulled the trigger and bought one. I figure if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this all at once!

My truck see 99. 9% highway, and some occasional dirt roads/grass. I might drive off-road once a year (all slow). In my case, any support will work better than no brace.

Although I drive mainly on-road, I think on-road can be just as hard on steering components as off-road... our wonderful roads aren't exactly smooth.

 

[Buffalo]

SEAFISH,



I have to agree with what you said about the Defiant product. The BD product, that I mentioned earlier, is a 'knock-off' of the SSI priduct, I believe. Probably strong but, I wonder about the strength of the trailing arms.



As I recall, BOB4X4 expressed some concern about flexing or warping of the Defiant product in extreme use. It is a flat piece of steel with one bend, for added strength, I believe. It looks pretty strong, to me. Nice build quality, also.



Joe F.