My '96 Ram 1500 with 4X4 will be getting a new steering gear before winter. I've heard of using a steering brace and see several available. How much of a stinker are those to put in? Why would I need one? I'll use the truck off road but I just go here and there. I don't seek out mud or other obstacles.

 

Not hard to install but they are heavy so extra help is nice. They kinda work. I used mine for several years with the stock gear and didn't notice any change so I left it off when putting in the first Redhead. I recently rebuilt it and put it on with my second Redhead which has movement in it. The brace helps noticeably but when there's play in the gear, this won't cure it. The bearing pivots in the flange mount so any side to side play in the output shaft of the gear will still be able to move. It does stiffen up the front end by tying the frame rails together and makes the front more stable over bumps. But again, "saving" the gear it will not.

 

I installed a brace on my '96 Ram 2500 4x4 truck when I installed a new Borgeson steering box several years ago. It installs under the frame mounts of the sway bar and has a bearing to help minimize movement of the steering gear output shaft. I installed it to help the new steering gearbox last longer, So far, it seems to be doing the job. For what its worth, I don't take my truck off-road and just use it to haul things in the bed or pull trailers.

 

Careful with the bolts for the sway bar mounts. They tend to snap, especially the driver side.

 

I probably won't bother with one. I'm not going to do anything with this truck I haven't done with other ones. A little frame flex over granite out crops is good. One tends to NOT break things there. I took a major hit on pay when I retired so I need to be more careful with my money.

 

I used one off eBay and wasn't impressed. If I were to do one again I would make one like DOR sells.

 

Ummm, isn't that the point of retirement? To stop working for money?

 

Evidently you aren't retired. The GF keeps finding things for me to do along with stuff on my vehicles and around the house. I just don't get paid for it.

 

Buddy of mine retired, and he is busier now, than when he was working full time....

 

Haha, uh oh!

Let us know what steering gear you end up getting. Inquiring minds want to know!