Found out what the annoying noise was in the steering system today, the lower steering box bushing is worn pretty well. The first tie rod end has a little slop but the most of the chatter is coming from the worn bushing.<br><br>Has anyone else had this problem with a few more miles on the truck?<br>Is it a total box replacement or bushing and seal replacment?<br><br>DD4X4

 

I don't know much about your current problem, but this may be something to consider for future prevention once you get it fixed.<br><br>http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...p;pagenumber=1<br><br>Chris

 

There's been a couple of threads here on this fix. People seem pretty happy with it. <br><br>http://www.dodge-diesel.org/yabbse/i...=13984;start=0<br><br>

 

Joel<br>I installed one of the brackets and truck steers like a rack and pinion truck. I have owned truck since new and never had such positive steering with no play as now. I would highly recommend this as one of the best upgrades I have done for aprox $160 including shipping. If you order one it takes aprox 3-4 weeks for it to arrive.<br>Denny

 

I priced a new steering box today at NAPA. I will probably go with a new box and add the brace too.

 

I've been pricing boxes as well, what was the NAPA price? I have advance auto for $125 with lifetime guarantee, pep boys $175 same guarantee. I need to check Car quest too. They had the best price on the Moog track bar for my Ram.

 

that sounds like what my truck is doing! r u getting a loud pop noise when u turn? i spent about a hour under neither playing around and all i could fine was some play in the steering bushing. ball joints r fine new track bar tie rod ends r good no slop. i dont know what else could be the truck is all over the road its a handful.

 

The price from NAPA was $229. In order to avoid name bashing, I will not say what quality parts I have gotten from the other stores mentioned above but I will not buy parts from them. I will tell you that. Lifetime warranty don't mean much if you're swapping parts every three months.<br><br>As Forrest would say, &quot;that's all I'm gonna say bout that&quot;.

 

thats what im saying i could care less about lifetime warranty if i have to replace the part every few thousand miles!! i would rather pay some more $$$ to have a quality part!

 

Higher prices doesn't allways mean better quality. Just for instance the local Napa store was higher on the track bar and it was a Dana or in other words a TRW, which is the same as the factory piece. As far as chassis parts I prefer Moog, there are none better I don't care where you buy it at. Ask them if you can see it, if it is a Moog they will put their name on it even if it is sold in a different box. My track bar that I purchased at Car Quest, is Moog. The real kicker is that it was one of the cheaper quotes too. <br>As far as steering gear boxes go I don't know, the difference between the name brands. You may be right that they are a piece of junk. But a little bit of investigating and asking questions can maybe save some money. The gear at Advance Auto was AGI. I don't remember about the others, but the &quot;Zone&quot; gear was very poor and that is why I didn't give the quote for them.<br>I do agree that some of these stores carry some very poor quality parts. But there is a rose among the thorns from time to time.

 

I'm not saying that the parts are &quot;pieces of junk&quot;, I'm saying that some of the parts do not get the quality rebuild attention at some places. It took me three alternators from one store before I finally gave up and I'm talking within two months here. Went to NAPA, no more problems. The ones from the other place had been cleaned up, a diode or two replaced and put back on the shelf. Even had the old noisy bearings still in two of them. Sometimes you will get a good piece but I'm not willing to take the chance now that I have seen some of the parts.

 

Got to looking at the brace. Looks like it will not fit on mine due to the remote oil filter location I have installed. Wonder if there is a modified version of it available? My oil filters are only about an inch from the front sway bar right now.

 

[quote author=dieseldude4x4 link=board=5;threadid=14594;start=0#139382 date=1053223676]<br>Got to looking at the brace. Looks like it will not fit on mine due to the remote oil filter location I have installed. Wonder if there is a modified version of it available? My oil filters are only about an inch from the front sway bar right now.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Before you abandon the idea, see if you can shift that bypass bracket over a few inches to the right. Could save you from the next steering box install, unless you go over to the other side and get a new truck. <br><br>CS

 

Hey Joel,
I just found this brace. See if you think it might fit your application better.
http://www.solidsteel.ca/Stabilizer.htm

Chris