new steering gear box

[Dirtautoguy]

this all has kind of happened over time so I will give as much info the best I can.

 

I have a 1996 chevy k1500 with the 350 vortec, it has 230,000 miles on it right now and I bought it while I was in high school. it is my first car and I love it. before I graduated I got hit by a subaru on the driver side by a 80 year old lady that was speeding lol. anyway she hit the tire more than anything and because of time and knowledge I didnt have at the time I had a shop (owned by my cousin) fix it. ever since then it has had slop in the steering and pulled to the left. so I set on a quest to fix it. I replaced all the steering components

 

ball joints

inner and outer tie rods

pitman and idler arm

allignments

 

none of these things fixed the issue. the allignment said it was all good other than the camber was just barely off on the driver side but not enough to worry about. the truck still pulled to the left so finally years later after being married and have learned alot I replaced the steering gear box and ps hoses.

 

and the problem is fixed!!.... sort of..... now instead of pulling to the left it pulls to the right and the power steering feels like its turbo charged. the steering wheel turns super smooth and is super sensative. I felt my dads 98 k2500 and the steering as slightly stiffer but mostly the same so im guessing thats normal.

 

so I guess in the end the question is do I need to go get it alligned again?? maybe because the gear box was messed up after the last allignement it is messed up now?? the truck has never wore tires out or wore them funny but I have brand new tires on it now and i dont want to start now.

 

to keep it from pulling to the right I just have to hold it just barely to the left and it goes straight like an arrow.

 

Oh and the steering does center after a turn I dont know if that makes any difference.

 

thanks for the help

[2018GMC]

I had a local mechanic replace my steering box. An alignment is not needed after steering box replacement. Especially if it was just aligned before new steering box.

[2018GMC]

The steering on my 97 K1500 is butter smooth with the new steering box.

 

If you have an electrical plug on you power steering pump. This is why your steering is over boosted.

 

I disconnected the plug on my truck so I have a slower reacting and predictable power steering system.

 

see this post...

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/171455-jerky-steering-in-99-gmc-burban/

[Dirtautoguy]

I took it to get an allignment check and it was a little off. not terrible but off. so I went ahead and had them align it, after they got done a paid and headed out. and almost immediatly instead of going right with the steering wheel straight it went left. so less than a mile down the road I turned around and went back. they looked at it again and really took there time even though they closed. I watched both times. and after the second time it was the exact opposite it went right again with the steering wheel straight. we checked all the tie rods and pitman arm. nothing is loose we are both very confused and I have another appointment on friday.

 

the only thing that I can come up with is that when I put the pitman arm back on it did not fit flush on the gear box however from my understanding the gear box is tapered so with shouldnt fit all the way is that correct? I tightened the piss out of it when I put it on though.

 

anyone have any ideas?

[Lazarus Long]

I just had to replace both the power steering pump and gearbox on my 97 Tahoe due to leaks.

 

I did notice that the steering feels tighter, but I don't think the alignment changed any.

 

The only thing I notice is there isn't much boost at idle when the wheel is turned all he way. It was a bit of a surprise the first time I slowed for a sharp corner, start the turn, the boost cut out, and I almost didn't make the turn. I guess I should have the mechanic take another look

[Dirtautoguy]

after about 5 or 6 times on the rack it was still doing the same thing. they double checked all the suspension parts and they were all good too. finally the tech alligned it with the wheel just slightly off center to compensate for the over shooting toe issue. and the result was with the steering wheel straight the truck drives mostly straight but follows the curve of the road. ( if Im on the right side of the road and its slanted a good amount it wanders right some. and same with the left side) this is better than the truck has ever driven since I have owned it.

I think that I will take it back in one of these days before my 30 day alignment runs out as a 30 day alignment cost me $90 is that normal? and if nothing else just double check it all. I am slightly suspicous as to why it would have to be aligned with the wheel off center?? mechanical or human? I asked for a pirintoff of the numbers but their printer just happen to be down but It is on file and I can go back and get it when their printer is working again.

I have heard that a alignment specific shop is generally better than going to a tire/ mechanic/alignment shop is there truth to this Im just curious.

 

the power steering does not have an electrical plug on it.

thanks for the help!

[Jamie Laplante]

i have an 88 chevy gmt400 steering box going out should i replace it with a new one or a used one i have on hand?