bcfreighttrain

what are the signs that the steering box is failing?? just wondering cause i have replaced the steering linkage twice in 2 weeks (upgraded to 08 style with pitman arm & stabilizer) changed pounded out carli swaybar end links to stock & then to modded 5" procomp bushing style, and added a solid steel industries dss that seemed to help a little.... but the truck still wanders on the highway, so i checked for play on the front end and the track bar moves maybe a 16th of an inch at the frame mount and it feels like there is play at the pitman arm. so am wondering if i should upgrade the trackbar to narrow down the possibilities as all is new in the steering minus the steering box and trackbar... ball joints are good and the truck just turned 100,000 kms

LeonT

I'm on my 3rd steering box at about 32K miles. Mine got hard to turn at a standstill in parking lots, etc. I had to be moving to get it to turn, which got to be a real pain while backing trailers in tight places.

Also, if there is a popping noise when you're turning, you may have frame problems. Mine would pop when I was turning it and they found that the frame was cracking around the steering box.

Good luck.

bgott

Mine was just replaced under extended warranty. It got hard to turn in tight places and was freezing up. I would drive across town and my arms would be tight from having to follow it. I took it in and told them it was tight and wandering, they tried to sell me tie rod ends. I got my truck back and started dropping parts one by one to find out where it was binding, after I dropped the drag link from the pitman arm all of the linkages and ball joints moved freely. However, you couldn't hardly turn the steering wheel with nothing connected to the steering box. With both your wheels off of the ground you should be able to turn your wheels freely from lock to lock by hand. You could have other problems, this is what went wrong with mine.

rjm022

http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/

bcfreighttrain

just had the truck into the 3rd dealer in 2 weeks & i think they may have got it fixed. ended up finally replacing the steering box & found a seized axle u-joint under warranty. it seems to be all fixed now while running her down the road..... about time