I would flush and adjust the box as well....... just leave the return line off, run the engine at idle, and with the front jacked up, have someone turn the wheels lock to lock, while you pour in fluid. You can go thru a LOT of fluid right quick though, so, make sure you have plenty on hand.

Before spending any money though, I would do the free stuff first, and eliminate some potential causes.... Disconnect the steering stabilizer for one..... check all steering components and u-joints next. With the steering unlocked, and the engine off, grab ahold of one of your front tires, and cycle the steering from lock to lock a couple times, see if you can feel anything sticking.

 

Sound like the U-joints in the front axles to me. Easy test, put it in 4 wheel, cut the steering wheel and go. Does it turn smooth or does your front end jump forword?

 

got the project on hold til saturday, i'll try the 4 wheel drive test first, then flushing it out. i'll keep y'all posted, thanks again for all input guys.

 

well, after spending most of my disappointingly low VA check for the month, i've determined 2 things: 1- it wasn't the power steering pump, replaced it and the pulley (all hoses and lines looked pretty good) and 2- i didn't notice anything weird in 4wd, but again, i'm a rookie at this diagnostics stuff. i'm going to replace all the u-joints on the truck. which leads me to this question: the parts store is asking me what size axle i have up front (either 3400 or 3500), h**l if i know, the tags are rusted, lol. i know it's got a dana 60 w/4.10 up front. where they getting these 3400 & 3500 numbers from?

i always said that the military was gonna buy me a new truck via my disability payments, just didn't think i'd be building it from the ground up, lol. if nothing else, i gotta be learning something..........

 

it should say it right on the inside of the door jam, or the driver door.

 

negative on it being on the door or jamb. took a picture of the only stickers in the jamb, no "3400" or "3500" anywhere. i'm gonna call a dealer tomorrow with the vin number and see if they have some answers.

 

I'm curious to hear what it ends up being. I have the same problem but didn't now where to start.

 

lol, oh sure, i get to be the lab rat on this one. well, take notes man, hopefully you won't have to do the chasing i'm doing. last option is drive until there is a catastrophic mechanical failure, then hop out and see what broke, lol.

 

Thats how I learned half of what I know LOL. When I was 16, I didnt know the meaning of the word maintenance (and my old chevy hated me).

 

lol thanks man. Seeing as im 19 even though I take great care of my rig I was just planning on driving it till something brakes then I will now what it is. Thats the easy and probably more expesive way. lol