One thing you guys might consider when doing the steering box is lots of these trucks are ready for EVERYTHING to be replaced. I had Duck Fan replace my steering box, tie rods, ends, heck even the steering wheel to get the texture back. No surprise it drives LIKE NEW now. About 300,000 miles on my truck.

 

This is absolutely right!

The steering gear being up to the task and of good quality is a major component to a good and tight steering system, but not the only component. You are lucky to have someone like Duck Fan near you as most of the FTE is not.

I believe in my situation that most of the steering components are in good serviceable condition. The ball joints need replacing, but are still doing what they need to do. In my specific case, I can reach down and turn the spline where the steering gear meets the steering shaft easily 2" in either direction. This is with my hand, the truck off and no hydraulic assistance. The AZ gear is crap, that is all there is to it. At least this one didn't leak the same day I installed it.

 

Your right. I too was looking at the USPS Priority (2day) large box and do believe it's cheaper and faster then UPS.

 

Sous, you think we might get a break in cost if we order in quantities? I need one so do you..theres two already. Anyone else?

 

My current project will be getting all new steering components from gear box to hubs and everything in between. Count me in as a 3'rd.

 

I already bought the steering gear and it is due here on Friday. If you are referring to a group buy on other components, I am not sure what additional I may need at this time. I'm hoping nothing, but time will tell.

 

This is my experience as well. The rig I just bought had 350K on it with a seemingly sound engine, but the front end is all worn out. PS Pump, steering box, drag link, tie rod, ball joints, needle bearings, axle seals...

Replacing all of that is costly, but the plus side is I shouldn't ever have to worry about the steering or front end handling on this truck for as long as I own it!

 

Man I gotta put this on my list. I look like I am dancing while driving down the road.

If I ever get pulled over I will ask the officer to drive my truck a mile and back.

Then he will let me go. LOL

 

Reps sent for the FTE name and coinciding avatar, both of which provided a smile and a chuckle. Your right, we hope that when we refresh OEM parts with good quality parts that we will get another 200,000 miles out of them.

I am the same way sir. I am not exaggerating when I say at least 2" of play between engagement going either left or right. It is so bad that when I set the center of the wheel, it is instantly off when I go to turn and then straighten out. I gave up after the 5th time setting the wheel straight. The AZ gear got us back on the road, but I think 4 years of "dancing" the truck down the road is quite enough.

Good to see 2021 is bringing good things to a lot of us already!

 

BlueTop steering gear delivered a few minutes ago by UPS. Very well packed with vacuum foam, robust box, tape and staples.

 

Sous, looking good. Tell us how the process went and if the steering issues were solved.

 

My avatar says " hey!, we dont tike kindly to your kind around here"........... "now now skeeter"

my 2003 was sloppy like this, still loving my blue top little over a year and 25,000 miles later, has a nice solid feel

come on man get her nekkid and take some pics


truck ****!!

 

Hopefully tomorrow Chris. I cannot take her top all the way off like you did though, I just go right for the goods...

For anyone following this in the future, the torque specs are noted below. All numerical values are in ft lbs.

Shaft pinch nut - 36
Castle nut - 66
3 mounting bolts - 59
Pitman arm 199

 

AutoZone POS edition steering gear out and boxed. BYE FELICIA!!!



These are the two pullers I rented and have used with great success in the past.



I had the track bar off in about 5 minutes, another 30 minutes later the lines and shaft were disconnected. 10 minutes later the POS steering gear was on the bench.

I spent the next 2 hours trying to get the pitman arm off. The problem was that the 27170 large puller I rented had been abused and neglected. I failed to check the bolts when renting it, so that us in me.

One bolt was too short, the other was stripped and both were a low grade of strength. I tried to make it work with some spare bolts I had, but could not get the pitman arm to budge.

I spent that long fighting it and trying to make it work because AZ is 30 minutes away. I called and they had another puller in, so I ran over there and picked it up.

60 seconds after walking into the garage, the pitman arm was off. Lesson learned... Check rental tools before leaving the store.

I am grateful they had another puller with the proper bolts.

Pay special attention to the marking on the gear and the shaft splines. They need to be in line with each other.



I also neglected to get a #10 and #11 o-ring, so I had to scramble to find some. AZ was a joke, Advance was close, but not right and NAPA was closed.

I managed to find a helpful older gentleman at O'Reilly that had single o-rings and we matched two of the proper size out of this Dorman vinton package.

I could have bought the nitrile rubber singles, but felt the viton would be better.



BlueTop installed and ready. I am unable to bleed the system due to the SXE turbo not being installed.



Last week before ordering the BlueTop I could turn the steering shaft either direction 2" by hand. Not using the wheel, just my hand. Even with the AZ gear on the bench, I could turn the shaft about an inch with three fingers. What a POS...

The BlueTop has none of those characteristics. The shaft does not move at all by hand and I could not turn it with my fingers at all.

I am really looking forward to trying it out on the road soon.

 

Glad it’s coming along for you. As particular as you are in regards to your truck, I’m surprised it took this long!