How tight was the bearing on the output shaft for the brace? When I tried one it just slipped right on

 

I probably shouldn't have said tight. It's firm and has been since being installed in March. It returns to center if I let go after a turn, doesn't wander around the lane following grooves in the road, and doesn't jerk the wheel after a bump. It felt similar after both redhead boxes so we'll see over time.

The bearing for my brace slid on the shaft but it had to be square when you did or it would bind.

 

I think my bearng was too loose

 

The bearing went on perfectly. The extended "collar" screws on in place of the nut, then the brace fits on with the collar sticking out the hole for it, then the bearing installs over it. I gently tightened the set screws and was done.

I drove it to church yesterday and it handles much better. Again, there's a little stretch turning left but it wants to stay straight for the most part. The brace is actually working and helping!

 

UPDATE:
Took a trip to SEATAC airport and back and it drives MUCH better on the interstate. It keeps the lane and responds to very little input. Side roads I can still feel the box's play and it feels like the steering "stretches" on its way from 12 to 11 when giving it left input. I'll probably look into a BlueTop box or something soon. The pump still whines turning at low speed. Overall I'm pleased and would give it 85% out of 100. Still want it perfect like it used to be, though!

 

Couple weeks driving it and there's still vagueness due to the sector shaft flexing or moving. At least that's what I thought was happening. In my effort to understand this problem (I can't sleep until I understand how something works) I came across this video of a rebuild. He explains that the HOUSING of the saginaw boxes actually flex, as well as bad tolerances between the shaft and bearing, plus a weaker bearing.

Jump to 30 min in for the best part:

This flex in the housing will happen on all boxes, especially rebuilt boxes from diesel trucks, or ones that were previously in a diesel truck. I'm sure Redhead and BlueTop think they are fixing the problem by using "upgraded bearings" but they really aren't. This guy installs a zero tolerance bushing and custom fits each new bearing and shaft. Oh, I wish someone could do this around me. The guy in the video has disappeared from youtube so who knows where he is anymore.

So what's our solutions? The larger PSC box seems to be a solution with beefier housing, bearing, etc. Adding a steering brace "sort of" helps this issue which is why so many think those are required. But really, Dodge just cheaped out putting in old boxes that were far too weak to handle 4x4 use and especially Cummins on top of them.

More research and learning to come. Let me know what you think of this video.

Here's the PSC big bore box:
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/motor...ear-21949.html

 

That's the box I ordered

 

Ooo, keep us posted! I'm interested in how it works for you. Compared to other versions, it's not that expensive.

 

I will! Won't be for about a month as they are porting it for Ram assist steering

 

Adding more power to your power steering?? Why??