2006 dodge 2500 diesel mega cab. ok yesterday i was backing out of a parking space and heard a loud pop under the hood. after that i have a lot of play in the steering wheel. has anyone had this to happen and do i need a new steering box?

 

I had a similar thing on my '05 a couple of years ago. I didn't have a lot of play in the steering wheel though, just popping noises when I turned at slow speeds in parking lots. They put a new steering box in and welded the frame where it was cracking (dealer did the work). No problems since.

Make sure they check your frame. On mine they replaced the steering box and the problem re-surfaced. When I took it back they found the cracked frame around where the steering box mounts.

 

i checked for cracks and no cracks. but you can take your hand on the steering rod and move it about 1/4 turn with no resistance.

 

FWIW, the NAPA boxes work on diesels even though they're listed for gassers only, same part and they're only about $100.

 

and they are junk. have a friend here in town with an 06 mega and has gone thru 3 of them and they keep leaking.

 

Which do you suggest?

 

The only option that is any type of quantifiable improvement over any other reman box currently offered (that I have heard of, anyway): REDHEAD STEERING GEARS

 

Hmmm - might give Redhead a try. They are just a couple miles south of me. She qouted me 326 with core exchange. My leak is getting really bad out of the box now....only a matter of time.
Unfortunately, I have to do the switch myself - and my garage is packed full up....

 

took me 1.5 hours to swap over the box and install the late model steering and I have a steering brace on so had to mess with the bearing etc.. piece of cake.

 

which "rod"? steering shaft going from steering wheel to gear box, or steering linkage going from pitman arm to tie rod end? still sounds like the steering gear but i would make sure nothing else broke on the steering linkage. i've had great luck with a red head box...

 

which late model?

Funny how many people have problems with the steering box, yet there are only a few options to repair the steering - besides stock.

 

i did the 08.5 steering linkage and OEM replacement box. My box was leaking from the top adjustment screw area plus it was worn out with over 100k miles and being lifted since the truck had 30 miles on it. 37" or bigger tires its entire life

 

I had the entire linkage, and box swapped out to the 08+ also, but after about 15k miles I have noticed a slop in the box and I have been being relatively easy on the truck (relative to me).

I started to make the box support this past weekend, and am hoping to finish it this weekend, all I need is a bearing.

 

Some leakage problems are from bad front u-joints. I am sure that is what caused mine, I could hadly turn them, they were so rusty and that was with 60,000 miles.

 

I have a napa box it was like 200 some bucks, had it 4 year still tight and no leaks. I don't know if I would generalize.