sloppy steering
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: SW Idaho
The trac bar will not contribute to wandering nearly as much as worn steering components. Guys, these boxes DO wear out. That adjusting screw is for setting the lash when all the components are in their original machined configuration. 9 times out of 10, when you adjust the gearboxes with that screw enough that the slop is gone, the box is so darn tight it won't auto return any more when you turn a corner.
Been running a fleet of 20+ trucks for the last 8 years now plus doing wrenching on the side. Never had any luck fixing the box. If the wandering bothers you to the point you need it fixed, I would suggest you save your clams and get a new/rebuilt box.
Been running a fleet of 20+ trucks for the last 8 years now plus doing wrenching on the side. Never had any luck fixing the box. If the wandering bothers you to the point you need it fixed, I would suggest you save your clams and get a new/rebuilt box.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 855
Likes: 5
It hohnestly depends on how the truck is used. I have 4x4 rigs that see a fair amount of trail time or at least rough roads and they have gotten sloppy at 85k. Other 2x4 trucks that mainly see highway use have lasted 200k+.
It is not like a ball joint where you go out one day and suddenly have a clunk. Normally these boxes are a gradual deterioration over a period of time. It only is really evident if you don't drive the truck on a regular basis. You can drive it at 100k and it might seem ok, but by 135, you can feel wear, though if you were the daily operator of the rig you probably wouldnt feel any sudden transition because the change happens over thousands of miles.
If I were to average our wear, i would say we get 2-3 front ends out of a box. By that I mean, however much you use your vehicle, by the time you have swapped your tie rods and ball joints 2-3 times, your box is starting to wear too.
It is not like a ball joint where you go out one day and suddenly have a clunk. Normally these boxes are a gradual deterioration over a period of time. It only is really evident if you don't drive the truck on a regular basis. You can drive it at 100k and it might seem ok, but by 135, you can feel wear, though if you were the daily operator of the rig you probably wouldnt feel any sudden transition because the change happens over thousands of miles.
If I were to average our wear, i would say we get 2-3 front ends out of a box. By that I mean, however much you use your vehicle, by the time you have swapped your tie rods and ball joints 2-3 times, your box is starting to wear too.
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: SW Idaho
It hohnestly depends on how the truck is used. I have 4x4 rigs that see a fair amount of trail time or at least rough roads and they have gotten sloppy at 85k. Other 2x4 trucks that mainly see highway use have lasted 200k+.
It is not like a ball joint where you go out one day and suddenly have a clunk. Normally these boxes are a gradual deterioration over a period of time. It only is really evident if you don't drive the truck on a regular basis. You can drive it at 100k and it might seem ok, but by 135, you can feel wear, though if you were the daily operator of the rig you probably wouldnt feel any sudden transition because the change happens over thousands of miles.
If I were to average our wear, i would say we get 2-3 front ends out of a box. By that I mean, however much you use your vehicle, by the time you have swapped your tie rods and ball joints 2-3 times, your box is starting to wear too.
It is not like a ball joint where you go out one day and suddenly have a clunk. Normally these boxes are a gradual deterioration over a period of time. It only is really evident if you don't drive the truck on a regular basis. You can drive it at 100k and it might seem ok, but by 135, you can feel wear, though if you were the daily operator of the rig you probably wouldnt feel any sudden transition because the change happens over thousands of miles.
If I were to average our wear, i would say we get 2-3 front ends out of a box. By that I mean, however much you use your vehicle, by the time you have swapped your tie rods and ball joints 2-3 times, your box is starting to wear too.
Adjusting a steering box is not a fix for a hi-miler worn out box.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 2
From: Fort Wayne, IN
14 year old truck with 110,000 highway miles, a good 1,000 or so in rough 4x4 country. Lots of steering at lower speeds there.
Hey thanks alot. I'll take a look at your stuff. A bit strapped for cash, getting the girlfriend a computer this xmas has kind of drained my wallet. But I'm hoping to change this out on my Bronco, along with some mods for the Expy this spring.
Hey thanks alot. I'll take a look at your stuff. A bit strapped for cash, getting the girlfriend a computer this xmas has kind of drained my wallet. But I'm hoping to change this out on my Bronco, along with some mods for the Expy this spring.
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