steering shaft update

[debo4x4]

so i take my truck in to the stealer this morning to get the steering checked out again. i'm assuming they will tell me i need the new shaft installed since mine has not been replaced yet and greased 2 times now....but they come back and tell me i need to have my "stearing gears" replaced for $660! that's a new one for me. i told them no thanks on that repair. anyone else ever heard of this?

[dannyukonxl]

askthem for a reason and for an explanation etc, find out EXACTLY what your paying for, the only gears involved in the steering system if im not mistaken are inside the powersteering pump, it sounds like they're trying to pull out some money

[Bish]

so i take my truck in to the stealer this morning to get the steering checked out again.  i'm assuming they will tell me i need the new shaft installed since mine has not been replaced yet and greased 2 times now....but they come back and tell me i need to have my "stearing gears" replaced for $660!  that's a new one for me.  i told them no thanks on that repair.  anyone else ever heard of this?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

They are talking about the steering box. It's a $400 part but you can get it for around 250. There is at least 1 aftermarket that I know of but pricing is similar. Steering shaft connects to the steering box under the battery. It connects to the frame and it holds the pitman arm which starts the steering process. There are power steering hoses connected to it for assist. There is an adjustment you can do but you can damage it if you overtighten.

 

Unfortunately, at 150K, I'm thinking mine may be shot. I just completely rebuilt the front end (ball joints(4), tie rod ends(4), Control arm bushings(8), Stabilizer bar endlinks and bushuings, Pitman and Idler) and there is still a shimmy over bumps and I'm thinking it may be the steering box.

 

I'm not telling you it's your steering box. I'm just saying it's possible. I would check for any play in the front end before I replaced the steering box.

[debo4x4]

bish--you were right on with the steering box gears. i have had a bad shimmy for about a year now and a whine in the steering wheel while turning left. i went back to the dealer and talked to the tech who looked at my truck and he showed me the steering box and what he though was wrong. i decided not to do the repair for $600+ now because it's more of an annoyance then a problem. but if the gears are gone i don't know how long the steeing box will last...i did have them install the new steering shaft and it feels so nice to at least have that rattle gone. i'm still fighting with the service mgr to have gm tp pay for the $130 part since i am well out of warrenty.