Steering problems... please help!
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Steering problems... please help!
The 2 of the 3 screws holding my steering box on just sheared off at the threads when I was pulling into my parking spot. My steering has been stiff only when turning left and only when going slow for a couple weeks now. I've seen many posts on this, it seems the steering gear is mostly to blame.
But how would a bad steering gear cause the bolts to break? It must be binding on the steering somewhere else, right?
When I first started getting the stiff steering, I really thought it was my u-joints, the left front started making noise when I'm in 4x4. But when I jacked up the wheel, I could turn the u-joint freely when the wheel was at full lock. After that, I decided I was going to order a Redhead steering box, but now I'm not sure!
But how would a bad steering gear cause the bolts to break? It must be binding on the steering somewhere else, right?
When I first started getting the stiff steering, I really thought it was my u-joints, the left front started making noise when I'm in 4x4. But when I jacked up the wheel, I could turn the u-joint freely when the wheel was at full lock. After that, I decided I was going to order a Redhead steering box, but now I'm not sure!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,766
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From: East Tawas, MI
Drop the box, you have to anyway.
Lift the front end and try to manually move the steering dropping one unit at a time and trying again. Unless it's freely moving.
If everything moves as it should, the box is the cause.
Denny (Index your steering wheel).
Lift the front end and try to manually move the steering dropping one unit at a time and trying again. Unless it's freely moving.
If everything moves as it should, the box is the cause.
Denny (Index your steering wheel).
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OK, I'll do that tonight and report back.
It doesn't make sense that it would be the box though, right? The pump is built into the box, so if the box had bound up, the screws would have broken from the torque I input into the steering wheel, and I don't think I'm that strong.
It doesn't make sense that it would be the box though, right? The pump is built into the box, so if the box had bound up, the screws would have broken from the torque I input into the steering wheel, and I don't think I'm that strong.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 56
From: East Tawas, MI
I don't think so. It shares the brakes as well. The box is served by the pump that serves both.
Change your fluid as well when you do this. There are a few great write ups on flushing the system. In here I believe it's Guzzles page.
The system by itself is strong, it has very little to do with input strength.
If it was bound up, you may have had road/trail debris in it or it was just time to go. Pretty common failure point.
It's early, I haven't had mine off yet but others have had alot more experience.
Take out the box and look in here after you check for free movement on the steering assy.
If I said it, sorry, make sure you index your steering wheel or get really good at holding your turn indicator.....lol
Denny
Change your fluid as well when you do this. There are a few great write ups on flushing the system. In here I believe it's Guzzles page.
The system by itself is strong, it has very little to do with input strength.
If it was bound up, you may have had road/trail debris in it or it was just time to go. Pretty common failure point.
It's early, I haven't had mine off yet but others have had alot more experience.
Take out the box and look in here after you check for free movement on the steering assy.
If I said it, sorry, make sure you index your steering wheel or get really good at holding your turn indicator.....lol
Denny
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Got the box off and discovered the problem. One of the mounting screws was broken from a long time ago it. I think my symptoms started when I had a flat front tire. The added load of turning that tire strained the remaining screws. So when I turned left, the steering box would hinge on those two screws, when turning right the box was supported by the frame. Over a couple weeks it got worse until it broke! Don't know how old that original screw failure is, but it was real rusty. I think it was from before I got the truck.
I checked the rest of the steering with the drag link off... there's no binding anywhere. My box has play in it, so I ordered a Redhead. Tie rod ends on the drag link aren't as tight as they should be... getting the whole assembly new.
Thanks for the help guys!
I checked the rest of the steering with the drag link off... there's no binding anywhere. My box has play in it, so I ordered a Redhead. Tie rod ends on the drag link aren't as tight as they should be... getting the whole assembly new.
Thanks for the help guys!
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