2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Who Has The Best Power Steering Box

[c-moor29]

Need to get a new steering box, what is the best one out there for my 97 2500 4x4. Would like one that steers a little easyer, resonds a little slower

 

[12Vmudder]

I went with a PSC Motorsports steering box when I rebuilt my front end in April... I am very satisfied with the performance of the box...

Here is what I purchased
Steering box... . PSC Motorsports... ... SG-841M... ... $450. 92 - $100 core

 

[Dave M]

I'm with "12vmudder". I have a 97 3500 4x4 and I love the 3 turn PSC box with the light valving. The steering is effortless and I love driving this truck now. I'd also consider a DSS to protect the steering box and stiffen up the front end. When I got my PSC box they offered a better warrenty if you also got the DSS.



Hey derek (12vmudder), how's things with all the stuff you did on your truck? Are you satisified with the truck now.



Dave

 

[monkeyman]

Talk to people who have 50,000 miles on a box. My PSC went out after 20,000 miles, went to a AGR Rock Ram with ball bearings.
Rick

 

[Dave M]

Talk to people who have 50,000 miles on a box. My PSC went out after 20,000 miles, went to a AGR Rock Ram with ball bearings.

Rick

Where did you get your AGR box and is it 3 turn with light valving like the PSC. So far I only have about 15,000 miles on my PSC box... . time will tell.



Thanks,

Dave

 

[CumminsPower98]

My PSC wasn't anything special as far as tightness right out of the box. The best I had was a new one from Dodge but it didn't last long driving OTR. I am currently still running the PSC, which is fine for ease of steering and doesn't leak but its loose and I can't adjust it out. The PSC was no better then the one it replaced. The rest of my system is in good shape with all the upgrades. I have yet to find a satisfactory box. I wish someone would step up and create a heavy duty one from scratch that WORKS.

 

[monkeyman]

I am very happy with my AGR Rock Ram, but I don't have Dodge track arm ,tie rod etc.
Rick

 

[fest3er]

Power Steering Specialists (Westerville, OH, north-ish of Columbus) also provide good re-man steering gears.

 

[c-moor29]

what makes you all like the 3 turn better? I am a recent convert from a 97 ford f350 4x4 and that truck had very lazy, but strong steering and I loved it. I am not a big fan of a quick steering truck. does the 3 turn psc box have the same hevy center that my stock box has? thank you for all the input

p. s. The doors could fall off this truck and I would still pick it to pull a trailer over my old ford

 

[Tomscreek]

I'm on my 3rd PSC because they all started leaking. They do warranty them but I've eaten the labor on all 3. Not happy. Also didn't help the steering at all.

 

[SmithS]

Agr

I had an AGR box for a year 15,000 and then it leaked everywhere. The first 10,000 it started to leak. It wouldn't turn sometimes when stopped etc. And I spend a lot of money on it for onlly 60 or 90 day warranty. Now the best set up I had was the AGR box that I rebuilt the needles in that support the pinion shaft fell out thats why it leaked they have two sets. I rebuilt the box and tapped the box for red neck ram. This is the best set up I had I loved to drive it with the ram its easier to steer, feels better on the road and takes stress off the pitman arm. The worest boxes to get is from advance auto etc. but they have the best warranty.

 

[24V-DSL]

Is this a dealer available replacement?? (painful for me to recommend)



Sounds like the aftermarket isn't reliable, and since I have 193K on my OEM, and so far it's still working fine, then why not replace through the dealer when the time comes?

 

[Dave M]

Is this a dealer available replacement?? (painful for me to recommend)



Sounds like the aftermarket isn't reliable, and since I have 193K on my OEM, and so far it's still working fine, then why not replace through the dealer when the time comes?

If you search on "death wobble" you will find that (it is believed) a 3 turn box is better than 4 turn. That said... . your new OEM box will be 4 turn... . you decide whats best. I love my 3 turn light valving PSC box but there are quite a few that have had problems with the PSC box. My box currently is OK with about 20Kmiles on it.



Yes... PSC is a rebuilt box. AGR apparently is new not rebuilt (*I haven't confirmed that for myself yet). It seems to be a crap shoot getting a good box from anyone. I believe the newer OEM boxes are 3 turn but not sure what it would take to retrofit it into 2nd gens. There was a post about this in the last 6mo to year. I'd be willing to pay more for a dependable 3 turn light valving box when my PSC fails (if it does)... . OEM or rebuilt.



Dave

 

[c-moor29]

ok this is what i am down to... . want to spend about $450, should it will be a psc 4 turn with light valving (they said they make a light 4 turn box) or a car quest box (we deal with car quest for our aftermarket stuff where i work) with a brace. what do ya think?

 

[GrantP]

ok this is what i am down to... . want to spend about $450, should it will be a psc 4 turn with light valving (they said they make a light 4 turn box) or a car quest box (we deal with car quest for our aftermarket stuff where i work) with a brace. what do ya think?

As long as you're just looking for a simple stock replacement, I'd say car quest with a brace. Flame away!



You can get both the brace and the box for the price of a rebuilt PSC, and the PSC box still needs the brace anyway (Yes, I have a PSC box). In all fairness, I'm beginning to think ALL of our Dodge boxes need the brace, regardless of the manufacturer. I'll be installing a DSS from PSC this weekend.



Besides, if the carquest box fails it's a quick trip down the street for a replacement.



Given the comments on this post and others about both PSC and AGR, I won't be going the "high end" route on any future steering box purchases. I'm not completely convinced we're getting the additional quality we're paying for.

 

[GrantP]

Is this a dealer available replacement?? (painful for me to recommend)



Sounds like the aftermarket isn't reliable, and since I have 193K on my OEM, and so far it's still working fine, then why not replace through the dealer when the time comes?

My dealer quoted more than $700 for a rebuilt box! Your results may vary...

 

[Dave M]

ok this is what i am down to... . want to spend about $450, should it will be a psc 4 turn with light valving (they said they make a light 4 turn box) or a car quest box (we deal with car quest for our aftermarket stuff where i work) with a brace. what do ya think?

I'd get the 3 turn PSC SG-841M. It will steer better than 4 turn... . just my opinion. They probably cost the same. My PSC is working fine except for when I turn the wheel close to the left lock position... then it feels a little loose... intermittantly... especially when at rest turning in a parking lot. Not sure where this loose feeeling is coming from... . box or something else. But overall I'll happy with my PSC box. If it fails I may look for an alternative probably AGR. For any box thats been tried I hear good and bad... . that sucks when trying to pick one. Anyone trying the cheaper route seems to end up replacing then (on the average) every few years.



Good luck on your decision. My steering is so much better with the PSC (so far) then before. The truck is fun to drive. I'll see how far this box lasts but I'm convinced the DSS steering stabilizer is helping this box last.



Dave

 

[SmithS]

Do I think that PSC and AGR make a better box yes but not good not worth the extra money and when you can buy one at a Auto store down the street and if it leaks etc. you can just take it back. Most have a lifetime warrenty

 

[RSimmons]

I have a couple of months on a AGR super box2..... so far I love it.

 

[robbiesworld]

It really is a shame there isnt a good box out there for us. I am running my stock 318K mile box and its loose! I dont feel like spending big bucks on a rebuilt box either.