I bought a new Steering Gear Box from Auto Zone and installed it. The new box is better than my old one but has play in it. With the truck off I can move the steering wheel a good 2-3 inches side to side. And of course this play in present while I'm driving. My questions for you all is this, should I take the box back or will the adjustment nut on the top of the box take care of my problem? I haven’t done anything yet because I didn't want to screw it up.

 

I don't know if the adjustment screw will take all of that out. You might call AZ and see what their policy is on customer adjustment. I hope the box came with instructions, you might try reading the fine print there. If you do decide to adjust it, it is a very fine adjustment (as in go 1/16th turn at a time) and I believe it is backwards of what you'd think is normal, at least that's how my Jeep was, you actually turned the screw out to take up slack.

 

don't waste your money on anything else, buy a PSC box.

 

I already bought a box so.........

 

take it back, tell them it's junk and get your money back. then call PSC and get you a good box that will last.

 

Who makes the PSC Box, I don't know your abbreviation.

 

Here you go:
PSC Website

 

I also went thru 3 boxes from autozone. @ from a company called A-1. I then asked them to order me one from the other supplier called Wares. It worked fine but I did have to adjust the screw to get it right. It lasted about a year and started leaking out the shaft. With my experience I would just pay the xtra and buy a AGR box or something brand new. Those idiots that "rebuild" them dont seem to have a clue. And I called both companys tech line from autozone and they both said they dont normally replace the gears inside. Well with the miles our trucks go the gears have to be worn, usually too much for the box to rebuilt correctly in my opinion. But the box off a 2500 or 3500 chevy from 88-98 will fit also. And they have a 3 1/2 turn lock to lock as our 4 turn.

 

Thank yall for the help on this. I went back to Auto Zone and they will not give me my money back only warranty it out and give me another. I wanted to talk to the manager but he won't be there till tomorrow. I am hopping they will at least give me in-store credit. I am going to look into the PCS and other boxes. One last question thou for the guys that have bought the aftermarket boxes, did you have to do any adjusting to your new box or is it good to go?

 

Which PSC box did you buy?

 

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/produc...3d74f2743b0f48

That one. None of the rebuilt boxes from the auto stores are worth the scrap metal value. PSC is the only way to go.

Keep complaining your way up the chain at autozone. They have a policy of customer satisfaction but you have to demand it. Go all the way to reigonal manager if you have to, you will get your money back.

 

Ordered a PSC box this morning. I will take off the Auto Zone box and place it on there counter.

Thanks for the help on this.

 

I can't believe 12 posts and no one told him about the OTHER adjustment... requires a spanner wrench, but it will take the slop out of the input. I think it's called "bearing preload"

 

with these cheap rebuilt boxes the preload adjust does little to help. They don't replace the pitman shaft or upgrade to a stronger bearing on these units so there is little the average guy can do. Anyway if you spend multi hundreds of dollars on a steering gear you shouldn't have to tear it off the truck and adjust it.