Ok , put in reman. gear box Cardone A-1( 2nd one,1st one had 4 inches play).Only reason I replaced the gear box in the first place is because the pitman arm shaft was so loose, I couldn't lock the steering wheel to left or right when parking without the seal leaking badly. Also Borgeson steering shaft, and the Rock Solid Ram Steering bushing (which still hasn't broken in fully, as when I turn the wheel or move the shifter, one or the other will move a little). And even the 1st replacement gear box with 4" play was not centering. I did not have this prob before any of this work I did.. Then I noticed the PS pump was making a growling sound , which it did not do before ,so I figured I let it run dry by accident when I was flushing the system for the new gear box. Went and got a reman. pump, Cardone A-1. Installed it, bled it, and same growling noise when I turn the wheel and still won't center. I find it hard to believe that the Rock Solid fix being slightly,and I mean slightly tight can be causing this. Any opinions welcome.

And btw, there is nothing wrong with the BJ's or TRE's or anything else suspension wise . John

 

Maybe take it back and get a PSC. That seems to be the preferred steering box if you change it. I have no idea on centering the wheel though. Did you adjust it? I know they can adjust it at an alignment shop so they may be able to get it centered for you if you go get an alignment.

 

Is it possible the adjustment nut on top of the steering box is too tight and the grinding you're hearing is the worm gears binding and popping over each other?

 

i don't think the rock solid bushing is causing the problem me and many friends have done the rock solid steer fix and have not experenced this problem so this problem didn't occur until the steer box was changed

 

I adjusted the 1st one because it was so loose, 3-4 inches of play in steering wheel. I tightened it 1/4 turns at first and nothing. So I bottomed it out and nothing, then I loosened it all the way and nothing changed. Thats when I brought it back and got the 2nd one.( I have not adjusted the 2nd one, because I don't want any probs as far as warranty goes). And by centering, I'm talking about when you are driving and turn left or right the wheel does not return by itself, you have to manually turn it back to go straight.

 

I hear the growling from the pump, and louder if I take the fill cap off. My original one did it too after replacing gear twice. I only changed the original one because I thought I screwed it up when flushing. And if I do decide to loosen the adjustment, isn't that also going to make the play in the wheel farther also. The 2nd box has about 1 1/2 to 2 play now. I'm pissed cuz I don't think it should have any play I can see it getting returned too. Now they are going to start blaming me somehow.

 

Problem is, I replaced the gearbox,steering stabilizer and the Rock Solid bushing at the same time.

 

i'd return all and go some where else . are these parts remans

 

Well, my steering debacle is finally resolved! Turns out that 2, A1(cough)cardone reman. units were bad.(the valve bodies I suspect)
After raising the front end and disconnecting the outer tie rods to eliminate a BJ problem, disconnecting all the joints everywhere and checking their movement,2 PS pumps,all the hoses,and gallons of PS fluid to flush the system 900 times LOL.And one pissed off wife.(the 3rd weekend I have been dealing with this)
I got tired of the BS and went to pepboys for whatever POS gear they sell besides a cardone , turns out they sell Fenco. First thing I noticed, the stub shaft had NO play what so ever, and I could rotate it side to side almost effortlessly. The 2 Cardones I could only move the stub shaft as far as the loose play would allow me.

Anyway,all said and done, the steering wheel has less than a 1/2 inch of play, and it returns to center normally. So, besides all the BS I went through, the Borgeson shaft ,the Rock Solid steering fix and the $172 Fenco steering gear(Cardone $203), my Rams steering is a thing of beauty and maybe the best steering in the history of the Ram world! LOL Atleast until the Trac-bar goes bad again! LOL

 

That might be my next purchase, a trac-bar. I am going with napa, since it has a lifetime warranty.

That borgeson shaft help? I heard it takes care of the clunk. But that shaft cost more than the gear box.