I broke it.......

[RCCUMMINS89]

Ok............so, today I accidentally hit a HUGE log in the road.

After the horrific jolt, I did a once over and everything looked ok. I hop in the truck and notice the steering wheel is now cocked 90 degrees off............ok, broken axle center bolt (been there, done that many times).

Get home, take everything apart...all looks good. When steering wheel is centered like it used to be both wheels are turned to the right.

Call up a local 4x4 guy (and a buddy) he says "ya junked your box".


Thoughts/opinions? I wasn't thinking I would, as I have 3 steering stabilizers on this thing and they take quite the jolting out of everything.

[PToombs]

Your box may have skipped internally. I have seen the wheel jump thing before, but never experienced it personally. I never heard of that ruining a box, but I guess it's possible. Does it drive ok?

[RCCUMMINS89]

It is SUPER sensitive to the right............steering to the left is lazy.

It tracks straight, but any sort of an excuse it pulls to the right.

[RCCUMMINS89]

It's definitely something in the box......

I went out and it now turns quite a bit further to the right than the left.

I'd say that the arm (the one that immediately comes out of the box) possibly just slipped a spline or two.... but due to the odd steering to the right and lazy to the left, tells me it is in the box.

[JimmieD]

I haven't looked at these 'newer' Dodge boxes but isn't there a 32 spline connection at top of box, steering box input shaft to steering column shaft, with a clamp or through-pin there? Seems like it could have jumped splines there. I think those splines aren't as deep as the steering arm splines, so it might be the first to slip from impact.

[ellis93]

Pull the Pitman arm off the box and I'd bet money you'll find the shafts splines are twisted. Seen this a bunch on different vehicles what were wreaked.

[RCCUMMINS89]

I haven't looked at these 'newer' Dodge boxes but isn't there a 32 spline connection at top of box, steering box input shaft to steering column shaft, with a clamp or through-pin there? Seems like it could have jumped splines there. I think those splines aren't as deep as the steering arm splines, so it might be the first to slip from impact.

It didn't slip there.......

[RCCUMMINS89]

Ok.............. stuff just ain't right. I went down to the power wash and washed everything clean so that I can tell what I'm doing.

Down and back the truck is just wandering and acting like the alignment is jacked...........so before throwing money at a box I took it down to Les Schwab and had them do a thrust alignment check on it

EVERYTHING was dead nuts on. I have to admit that makes me happy on my frame shortening abilities

But.... box is yarded and the bracket is cracked completely in half. Don't know on the frame there yet or not.


Can we still get the frame to box bracket from Dodge?

[ellis93]

I need the definition of "yarded" please

[RCCUMMINS89]

Broken. Ka-put. Come Un-c*nted. It go good no more.

[Black93]

Can we still get the frame to box bracket from Dodge?

Nope, I've tried many dealers all over the country with no luck.

[RCCUMMINS89]

Guess I'll have to weld it..... frame is cracked now too.... in three places. Holy balls..........

F'n a cotton...........f'n a

[cmann250]

F'n a cotton...........f'n a

Pep needs new shorts!

[RCCUMMINS89]

[RCCUMMINS89]

Put on a new steering box today..... welded up the damner.

So the steering wheel is in the same spot now as it was with the old box....which is the "new" and off position..wtf?

Oh well, I can move a steering wheel.



New box steers VERY firm. I don't like it, I want my old stuff back.