I ordered a rebuilt steering box from AutoZone recently, along with one of those steering braces (from another place). I started reading some other threads here and it sounds like I may want to return this AutoZone box and go for a 2008+ box. Is there a write-up someplace that has all the pieces I'll need if I do that? I just replaced all the tie rods in the front end a month or two ago, but I still get nasty death wobble. New tires, new steering damper, new tie rods. Nothing is curing it. I have new hubs to go on soon, and the steering box stuff. Truck has 95k miles on it.

Next Q... how hard is to to replace the box? At a quick glance it looks like it's bolted to the frame on the driver's side. Aside from that and disconnecting the steering shaft and the tie rod that connects to it (or whatever it's called), is that it? Oh and of course the fluid line from the pump.

Thanks!

Rob

 

Not that difficult, hardest part had something to do with the hoses & purging if I remember right.

I find these trucks pretty straight forward to work on for the most part compared to other vehicles I've owned. Especially with the wealth of knowledge & good folks on forums like these.

 

Just replaced mine with a Borgeson unit... much better than newer style as far as I am concerned. Wasn't too difficult.

 

Wow the Borgeson unit is $509! The AutoZone one was only $135. Is it really worth that much more?

Rob

 

spend the extra $25 and get a decent pitman arm puller! it will be well worth it.

 

I paid less than that thru Amazon directly from Borgeson
You get what ya pay for. Better warranty too
The new mopar box is the same design only larger. I read an article from Borgeson and it convinced me their design is far superior. Plus it comes with new pitman arm. Borgeson has been doing steering for over 100 years.

 

I bought my 03 and it had a new updated '08 steering box and pitman on it already. it steers great, for now. I didn't want to wear it out, so I ordered a steering brace to keep the stress off the new box.
However, depending on who's steering brace you have, it may take some minor mods. Let them know what truck you have and if you have the updated '08 box. it requires a larger nut on the shaft on the box, because the 08 has a larger sector shaft. it also sits out further from the frame, so I had to use a die grinder and elongate the holes in the brace to be able to slide it toward the passenger side to center the nut in the hole where the support bearing would go. Also depending on whos brace you get, you may need to shim the support bearing out away(down) from the box to get clearance from using the larger nut. Sorry I don't have picts. if you need more detailed help, I can try to explain it better.
My experience has been that aftermarket steering boxes, like from napa, autozone, etc are garbage. I went through 3, in a matter of 2 weeks, from napa before I just went and got a new one from Chrysler. that was on a dodge diesel at my work. I would suggest do the 08 upgrade and brace or the borgeson.

 

I went with a Cardone pump from Rockauto wasn't 100% satisfied if I still had the truck I would have replaced with the Borgeson the next time it failed.

VERY straight forward install, definitely get a good pitman arm puller , flush the system really well, and make sure you get all the air out of the system.

FWIW when I got wobble really bad it ended up being ball joints.

 

I found one on Amazon, but it's $485. And it sounds like I'll have to send back the brace I got too. Crap this is ridiculous.

If ball joints is gonna be the answer, I'll say to hell with the steering box for right now and figure out how to afford to replace the balljoints. Last estimate I got on that was enormous, and it's not something I can do myself.

The last alignment I got, the guy did say the balljoints were getting close to needing replacement.

Edit: Found a set of Moog ball joints on Amazon; roughly $50 ea (for each upper and each lower). Also added a pair of Precision u-joints at $42 ea, figuring maybe I should go ahead and have those done too. What should it cost to have somebody change this stuff out?? Without a press, it's just not something I can do. At least the hubs can be changed while they're at it, since I already have those.

Rob

 

IF the press is all that is holding you back rent one from autozone or advance. The job is time consuming and can be hell on the hands but I had it done in two days including waiting for parts the first day.

For less than the price of paying a dealer to install crappy joints, I did XRF ball joints, new u joints, hubs, brakes, and the reman steering box.

 

I would not use Moog for this application

 

So are XRF's the way to go? Found a set of them on eBay for $250 for all four.

Rob

 

I used McQuay Norris joints and all is well. XRF is another good choice

 

Or if you can afford them the Carli joints are the top of the line. But I believe forthwith price they must be made of gold.