600 Megawatts

OK, heres the deal. I have been driving my ol' reliable 94' GMC diesel suburban for the last few weeks. Get back in the dodge, and am totally in love with my cummins power all over again. BUT I am totally disgusted with the filthy, sloppy, pathetic steering and handling of my dodge, which by the way is 7 years newer and has 1/2 the miles of my GMC. I bought the dodge because of the cummins, and the cummins alone. If they would build a GMC with the cummins I would take my dodge into a field, demolish it with my dozer and burn whats left of it.

I have been through every part in the front end and have a tight track bar setup. But the steering wheel slop is still there and so annoying I cant take it anymore. Driving the GMC for a few weeks has just made it that much more unbearable.

I have looked into steering boxes and learned that our diesels are supposed to have a 20:1 ratio box (~4.25 turns lock to lock) but that guys are putting in 13:1 boxes (~3 turns) from the gassers and getting much less slop. I also hear good things about PSC boxes. So I look at their website and they have whats called a light valving 13:1 box (Part # SG-841MX). Is this what guys are running in the rams and raving about?

Kp

BigBlue

I'm running a PSC box in mine. Not sure which one but it does drive nice. Still sloppy though. This is my 3rd box in a year and I'm about to have to replace it. Not real good quality control. They have been really helpful though in replacing the box at no charge.

silverbullet830

do you have a steering stablizer? the dss from solid steel is supposed to stop the flex on the arm of the steering box and if you've already done everything else then i'm sure thats where your problem is.

600 Megawatts

I am indeed putting on a DSS when I put the new box in, I have already decided that for sure. But I also have about 30 degrees of slop on the INPUT shaft of the box before the output moves. Its a junk carquest reman. I should have known better.

Munchies

The light valved PSC box rocks. Thing moves some pressure!

BigBlue

600, I've got about the same amount of play in my steering wheel as you do and I do have a PSC and a tight track bar.

Munchies, I'll agree with you on that. I didn't realize just how much easier to turn these 35's are with the PSC till I drove my buddy's truck with a stock gearbox.

gunracer1

we put a light valved psb box in butter beans truck. that thing rocks, i am have them build me a quick ratio box for my little truck.

Mike D

600 Mega, Have you tried to adjust the steering box?

600 Megawatts

Well, then I think I'll go ahead and get the light valving box. Im a little concerned, but its not much more than another reman carquest/pepboys box, so I'll go for it.

Mike, yes I have adjusted the box three times now. It tightens it up for a while, then its back to being loose again in a month or so. And the adjustment isnt coming loose, so something inside keeps wearing. Probably an aftermarket made in china sector gear which isnt hardened.....

Kp

Mike D

Kp,

Give us an update after install.

Mike

CL2000

I just put an AGR in a friends truck and it helped out big time! Very little play now

NMCTD

I've had the SG-841MX in my truck for about 2 years and absolutly love it, so much nicer to steer!!!!! at the same time I installed the dss and an 03 track bar and so far 40 some thousand miles later it still drives great. The gear box makes it steer alot better, but without the dss I think we'd just be pissin in the wind.

At the time I bought my box he only offered the 13-16:1 box in light and normal valving, they added the 20:1 in the last year or so, but I think I would still have opted for this one because i do alot of intown driving and towing and it makes it much nicer backing trailers.

600 Megawatts

Yep, I ordered the SG-841MX, a DSS steering stabilizer, new tie rod ends, new drag link, new steering damper, and polyuerethane sway bar bushing kit. All the stuff should be here monday or tuesday. When I get it all in I'll have it alligned.

If it doesnt steer nice then, well just chock it up to dodge "engineers".



Kp

BigBlue

I know the feeling kp. I'm ordering thuren's cross over steering setup once my tax return comes in so that oughta help.