6 weeks ago dealer replaced my steering box. Today I was backing out of a drive with wheels turned right. Started to go forward and turned wheels left, I heard a clunk and then I couldn't turn the wheel anymore. I was able to pull forward and off the road. Looked under truck and checked PS fluid. Everything looks normal. To make matters worse I was 40 miles from home and not near a town. I did drive home very carefully and white knuckled.

So here's what I got. I can turn wheels right and back to center no problems. When I try to turn left I have to put all I got into the steering wheel to get it to turn and when I do I hear a hydraulic hissing sound from under the dash.

Anyone heard of this before and/or any ideas of what happened. I'm thinking something in the steering box broke.

 

It almost sounds like the pitman arm got put back on incorrectly?

 

>It almost sounds like the pitman arm got put back on incorrectly?

How would that effect it and why 6 weeks later?

 

Does it feel like there is no power steering to the left? And it turns easier when you are moving? You didn't say if it feels like it's binding.

Sounds more like the boost valve assembly in the box broke. Never heard of such a thing, but I am not familiar with these boxes internally. I know the old Mopar boxes very well.

 

Your right I wasn't thinking or I forgot you said 6 weeks.

My son has an '05 and his first steering box went under warranty. Then last year out of warranty the pump went away and took the steering box out again, or so he thought. Either way he put on a steering sector shaft support along with a new box and pump in hopes of beefing it up. It has had a lift on it since new with larger tires so if the S boxes on these trucks are weak that wouldn't help much either?

About the weak steering box, the description on Borgeson's web site has me wondering what is or why is there a need to upgrade?

http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/produc...productid=1685

 

There is definitley no PS to the left and it is not easier when moving. I can only turn it enough to make a wide left hand turn and that is a struggle. I do feel a slight pulsating in the wheel and can hear something that sounds like air leaking.

I'm going to raise the front wheels off the ground and try turning it without the engine running and see what happens. I'll post the result.

 

I haven't been on this forum for a long time, are many people using the Borgeson box? It sounds like a nice upgrade. I think the disclaimer at the end is because of the pitman arm?

 

Yes my sons has a dropped pitman arm so with the leverage I would say it puts quite a bit of stress on the steering shaft! Since there is an upgrade I'm thinking the stock box isn't that hearty?

 

From his described symptoms it sounds to me as though the mechanic wasn't careful about keeping the system clean; it may have a clog in the spool valve.

 

Spool Valve! That's it Couldn't think of the name of it.

What's bothering me is he heard a snap. Maybe an O-ring blew out

 

Or maybe the spool or its bore had a burr in it.

 

Guys, your talking over my head here, is the spool valve in the steering box?

I did raise the wheels off the ground and I could easily turn the wheel about half way left and then it got tight. I forgot to check it with the engine running.

I'm dropping it off tonight at the dealer so they will have a nice surprise in the morning. If it's a failure of the box I'm not going to blame them, but I really want to stress that this is a totally unexceptable failure/design flaw that could easily end a life. I was lucky it happened while backing out of a driveway.

 

what could couse a slight pull to the right????? I have put new Nitto tara grapplers on and no change and balance is good. Tire man says every thing else is good.......

 

You answered it then. Not being there to see and feel it, it's hard. Something in the box failed. I wouldn't think a ball joint would do that

 

My 03 did something similar, had to replace the PS box, then the PS pump shortly after.