Steering Gear box

n8huntsman · June 23, 2003

My adjustment bolt snapped off on the gear box. The seal bagan to leak. I bought a new seal and pulled the unit apart to replace it. But with the adjustment broken I cant adjust it. Will it be okay if I just put it back together. Or will the backlash be too far off and destroy the gears? I really dont want to buy a new one. The "st"ealer wants $500. If I do need a new one, is it the same box that they used on the earlier body style?

n8huntsman · March 9, 2004

Months later it's still leaking and nobody has responded. I want to revive this question of whether the '01 HD steering gear boxes are interchangable with the older body style. I dont think they would have redisigned it just for the HD trucks but who knows.

Stepside Z · March 10, 2004

I am thinking that you are going to have to bite this one and take it to the dealer to get it fixed. You will be much happier with the truck in the long run.

JimWilson · March 10, 2004

What about seeing if you can find one in a boneyard?

1BADHD · March 10, 2004

Where is that adjustment bolt on the box? What does it do? I have a bit of play in my wheel....

JimWilson · March 11, 2004

The adjuster is on the top of the box. It looks like an Allen sticking up through a bolt. Check out this link:

http://forums.pickuptruck.com/showflat.php...true#Post239856

n8huntsman · March 12, 2004

I am thinking that you are going to have to bite this one and take it to the dealer to get it fixed. You will be much happier with the truck in the long run.

Why would I do that? Worst case I would buy a new one from the dealer. I dont trust the dealer to do anything on my cars, especially when I can do it myself quicker and cheaper.

In the past that has been a tuff part to find in a junkyard because the trucks arent too common. But I finally found one. $200 later it's good as new - all because of a stupid little bolt.

n8huntsman · March 12, 2004

Where is that adjustment bolt on the box? What does it do? I have a bit of play in my wheel

Dont try to adjust the bolt to get rid of the play. I hope thats not what you were pondering. The adjustment is very precise and if its a little bit off in either direction youll ruin the box in a hurry. It's only there to adjust the gears when the box is manufactured. You shouldnt ever change it.

1BADHD · March 12, 2004

So........how did yours get broke then? Must have tried to adjust something.......

JimWilson · March 14, 2004

Dont try to adjust the bolt to get rid of the play. I hope thats not what you were pondering. The adjustment is very precise and if its a little bit off in either direction youll ruin the box in a hurry. It's only there to adjust the gears when the box is manufactured. You shouldnt ever change it.

I can't say I agree with that. Adjusters are their for a reason, so unless you do something silly you should "ruin" it by making a minor adjustment.

michigan2500hd · March 15, 2004

I agree.If you are carefull and just turn the allen screw about a 1/16 of a turn at a time you should be ok taking most of the play out of the steering.Did this on my 99 nbs 2500 and it was much impoved.Never had any problems with loose steering after that. Place allen wrench in bolt while loosening and tightening jam nut to make sure it doesnt move too much.