My steering box was loose and adjustments didn't help. I decided to grab a new box, and balked at the prices for reman so I found a low-mileage used unit at a pick-and-pull yard for $50. When installing I damaged the pitman arm tie rod, and replaced it with a new one, by counting number of turns out of the drag link, and greased it up.

The problems are that this box almost steers the truck by itself, almost zero steering effort in either direction. It also does not return to center when you let go, it just stays where it is, even at full lock.

I have adjusted the box, even trying loosening the adjuster nut almost all the way, and no change. I put the valve assembly from my old box in, no change.

I'm about ready to quit messing with it and get a reman box, but I thought I'd appeal to the experts here first for something I can try before I give up. I've already had the box apart several times, I'm not afraid of doing it again. Any idea what's going on here?

 

I been having the same problems. I had dodge rebuild my whole front end, other than the sway bar, witch they say is good. But I think I better get a second opinion. Anyway they put on a brand new steering gear,and it still did the same thing. So we put on another new one ,and still the same thing. The pickup wants to not come back to center,on its own. Very Darty to drive.. Just wanted to let you know even with a brand new gear,it might do the same thing. If u get it figured out PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IT IS.

 

Mine is horrible pulls with everything(granted it is in part due to the tires and lift but I am slowly narrowing in on gocartablilty) I m gonna bite the bullet and get the psc box only 330 after 100 core refund....as far as I have found that is the only way for lifted trucks but didn't notice if yours was lifted or not.

 

one place that rebuilds steering boxes:

http://pss1.com/index.html

the original Canadian guy who built the stiffener brace for Rams:

http://www.solidsteel.biz/

my memory is fuzzy on the subject,
but I believe there have been past posts on Ram forums where it was found that a Delphi steering box replacement worked better than the original Saginaw steering boxes. Perhaps the guy at solidsteel has an opinion on the best replacement steering box to go with his brace

 

Any possibility the pitman arm is hitting the steering box housing(like on too far) or the tie rod is at the wrong angle and rubbing where it connects to the pitman arm?

 

How about removing the cap on your resivour, and jacking up the front axle. Rotate the steering wheel full lock to lock. keep working it for as long as necessary. 5 min? To me it sounds like you might have gotten some air in the lines. I had a similar issue when i changed my pump. Give her a shot... its free after all.

 

did it work?

 

I haven't tried it yet, will do so tomorrow and report back.

 

Nope. No difference at all.

After trying the bleeing, I went under the truck and noticed the tie rod I replaced was pivoted way over to one side. I thought this must be it, so I loosened the clamp and righted it.

It did not fix it, but it is slightly better. The return is still very weak, and still completely sticks at full lock. I wonder if the tie rod being pivoted screwed it up, or if it screwed something else up? Everything looks fine to me under the truck now, so I'm still at a loss.

 

Update: Got a reman steering box, problems are solved. Lesson learned about junkyard stuff.