Need some steering advice!!

Truckie36mo · 08-09-2010, 05:16 PM

I know this subject always comes up and that there are plenty of threads on this topic, but I need a little advice on what to do to my front end now tht I have some extra cash. Here are some details of what has been going on. My truck has 33,xxx miles on it and has always had play in the wheel since I bought it. I had to replace the PS pump last month and it has ALREADY gone out again. I was told that there is metal in the PS reservoir when I took it in. So I had a 16Q flush done on the PS,SB, & HB system. Still after all of that the PS pump is going out again. I was told that I probably need a new Steering Box because the gears inside are prob worn and pushing the metal threw the system. I am not so sure that this is my only problem though... Whenever I hit the brakes I can feel the bumps from the road in the pedal & in my steering wheel(all the time). The amount of play n the wheel is crazy as well. It almost feels like there is a knock in the wheel as well. And after I shut down my truck there is only pressure in the brakes for 30 secs or so, then they hit the floor. Im worried because if I accidently stalled, I might not have brakes... Could this be a hydroboost issue? How would I know if it is my booster going out? Here are my questions... Where to start!? Should I start with the Steering Box and have the PS pump replaced at the same time? Should I add the BD brace? Should I do the 09 front end conversion or just a stabilizer? And, What would be the best way to correct the steering play if I havent addressed it? Sorry for all of the questions but this truck has been driving me freaking crazy and I am so sick & tired of dealing with it! Thanks for any help!!!

03 Rammer · 08-10-2010, 04:54 PM

33,000 miles, 2007 should still be under warranty? Take it to the dealer and let them take care of it. They may do the 08.5 steering upgrade for ya. There is a TSB for steering problems.

Truckie36mo · 08-10-2010, 05:37 PM

I asked them about it when I had my engine replaced and they said that it wasn't under the recall? I cant imagine that it wouldn't be but thats what they said... Is there any certain way that I should go about asking them again?

Truckie36mo · 08-10-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03 rammer

33,000 miles, 2007 should still be under warranty? Take it to the dealer and let them take care of it. They may do the 08.5 steering upgrade for ya. There is a TSB for steering problems.

And the warranty expired in may for the 3 year coverage. The only warranty left is my 100,000 engine coverage.

gomer pyle · 08-10-2010, 07:07 PM

if you complained of steering problems prior to May it should be on file and still be covered under warranty. i had a similar problem at 38k miles. i took it to the stealership three times with steering problems(ended up being bad gear box, which is what i told them the first time). i finally took the service tech for a ride in my truck to show him what it was doing.

they put a new gear box on the next day.
good luck

ps
what happened to your motor?

Truckie36mo · 08-10-2010, 07:58 PM

The motor is a long story.... They said that I had three cracked cylinders from something being sucked into the engine. I ended up getting a whole new block all the internal guts replaced!. It was out of service for 3-4 weeks! They said that after the motor sucked something in, it scratched the cylinder so badly that it caused it to burn oil really bad! I never noticed any abnormal blow by either... When they drained the oil it only had 2.5 quarts in the motor, and is the culprit to what caused the motor to blow up! They fixed it all under warranty 100%!! I got lucky because I had it at the dealership three weeks prior to get the PS pump looked at and a routine maintenance and they didnt catch or notice the oil being low... So when I came in with a shot motor they didnt have much to say other than "we will take care of it". So in the end I lucked out, brand new motor & I had them put in a South Bend Clutch during the process! Brand new truck basically- IF I COULD FIGURE THIS DANG STEERING CRAP OUT!!

03 Rammer · 08-10-2010, 08:43 PM

If you did complain about it and they did work on it and gave it back to you and now it came back. Usually its within a year of the last RO when they did the work it will be considered a Come back and the tech will look at it again and fix it under warranty.

Just giving some advice If you financially able, get a exteneded service plan. I bought my truck used with 33,000 miles on it and knew I would run into some problems down the road. I paid about 2,200 for the Max Care plan and It paid for its self in 2 visits to the dealership. All you have to do is talk to the service manager and if im not mistaken you can make monthly payments for these aswell.

Truckie36mo · 08-11-2010, 09:53 AM

Nice! Ill have to look in to that! Thanks for the help.

Truckie36mo · 08-11-2010, 04:33 PM

Well I just went ahead and coughed up the extra cash for a Red Head SGB... I figured I should go with the better product so I wont have to worry about this for a while, especially considering I only have 33,xxx miles on the truck! When I swap out the gear box I will put on a new PS pump & a BD Steering brace as well. Hope fully after this I wont have anymore issues with the PS and then I can focus on swapping out the front end & upgrading the suspension!!