Ok. This is getting old. While sitting still I can saw the wheel back and forth quite a bit. I looked underneath the truck and the pitman arm wasn't even moving. So I got under the hood and started twisting the shaft going into the steering box and it was moving fine but the steering box wasn't even turning. It's like it's very loose when the steering wheel is centered. This is a brand new box with a brand new pump. Both have maybe 1000 miles on them. This is my fourth box from PSC. Should I try and adjust the steering box and see if that helps? I'm getting reall tired of this. I've got a video of it so yall can see what I'm talking about.

Click here to watch Steering-slop

 

I would just adjust the steering slop yourself with the screw on top. Have had to do it a few times on dads, and once on my old truck. It's just a really common issue with these trucks.

 

That's about as much slop as mine's got right now, w/ 170k on the original steering. If swapping in a new box and pump gets me the same play I think I'll just go ahead and stick with what I got.

 

Not only is this a new box and pump, it's with a new track bar, crossover steering, good ball joints, and good hubs.

I've tightened the allen screw 3/4 of a turn and there's still some slop in it but it's getting better. It's just ridiculous that I've gotta do this on a box that's only got a 1000 miles on it. This is my 4th and last PSC box. My buddy's o'reilly's boxes are better than this one.

 

are there gears on the and of that shaft.... maybe replacing the whole shaft??? i have aout 3" of play in mine with over 263000 miles and have replaced everything except for the shaft and it still has lots of play... keeps me awake on the road.

 

It ain't the shaft. I can grab the shaft and turn it back and forth and the box never starts to turn the tires. It's just slop that needs to be taken out.

 

This allen screw on top of the steering gear... can someone help explain to me where it is and what I will find there?

From what I gather, it's just above where the intermediate shaft connects to the steering box, right? The allen screw must be accessible by coming in from the top maybe?

I have the EXACT same thing you have BigBlue on my OEM box at 68K. My wife turned the wheel in the cab while I was watching underneath and she could move it about 1.5-2" left-to-right and the steering input turned just fine, but it did not move the pitman arm at all.

Steve

 

It's located on the top of the steering box on top of a plate. It's got a lock nut on it with an allen head screw in the middle. It's very simple to find.

 

OK, I found it. So you left-loosy the lock nut first, then right-tighty the allen head screw and then re-lock in place right? No french lefty-tighty stuff, right?

I'll probably start with 1 full turn. Any negatives to going too far - what will I notice if I do?

Thanks!

 

Do only about 1/4 to 1/2 a turn at a time, it doesn't take much, and if its tightened down too much your wheel will bind up. Do a 1/4 turn, take it around the block, another 1/4 turn, another test drive and so on. Remember, its a recirculating ball system, it isn't going to be as tight as a rack and pinion, so getting out all the slop is impossible.

 

Your truck has a 4" lift kit if I remember correctly. With a recircualting ball steering the adjustment will take almost all of the play at the midpoint of the gear. If it's off the midpoint a certain amount of play will be introduced. That is why it is important to adjust the box with the gear at midpoint. Then with the wheels off the ground operate the gear through midpoint to check for binding. I have allways adjusted them to the point where I can just feel a slight bind at the midpoint. Any tighter just makes the box wear faster and is not safe. Since you have had so much trouble with your steering gear you might want to check this. The lift kit will pull your front axle to one side which will cause your steering box to be past midpoint when you are going straight forward. If you have a adjustable track bar then you could make sure the front axle is located correctly. Good Luck

 

If you are talking to me, I have a 2" in the front only. But with my Thuren, I was able to adjust the length of the trackbar so my axle is located correctly under the front.

I'll adjust the allen screw 1/4 turn at a time. I'll probably jack up the front and put the axle in the air like Barry suggested.

Thanks for the help.

 

Mine's the same way. My thuren track bar is adjustable and the truck is centered as close as I can get it. I think it's 1/8" or something like that off but I chalk it up to variances. I did 1/4 turn the first time then 1/2 turn the second time and it is tighter but not perfect. I'm gonna give it anothe 1/2 turn and see how it works. No binding in the steering and my tires and steering wheel are always pointed straight when I do this. I just wanna know why there's more play to the left than to the right.

 

I have 289K on the origenal box and I took up almost all the play with a DSS and Solid Steel 3rd Gen Trackbar. It has almost no slop now. Most of it was in the secter shaft coming out of the bottom of the box. The DSS braces that and will not alow it to flex. My brother had a 01 3500 and it was worse than Big Blue but with both of these kits it is better than a 07. He went threw about 4 boxes from Dodge and they were all junk. The DSS takes out the flex in the box and of the frame. With big tires it will flex the frame. I got mine from PRD but I will make my oun next time. I realy think this will fix more than you think. We also adjusted the box and it helped but did not fix it all. Have someone turn the wheel and look at your shaft and see if it flexes, I bet it dose.

 

I've got the DSS. And thurens crossover steering. And thuren's weld in track bar. And a PSC box. And a steering column bushing. Only thing left stock is the shaft but it's not bad. It's the blasted PSC box that's bad. You can turn the steering wheel and the input to the box turns but the pitman arm shaft does not turn at all.