Check the front axle u-joints, mine did the same thing except when driving it was hard to turn back to center than it would just jump back causing me to cross the center line of the road, after pulling the front axle's i found the u-joints would stick in one direction this was after i replaced everything i thought was possible and buying advise from a cummins mechanic on the net, nothing fixed it until i found the u-joints bad, works great now.

 

I will check on that. You know, I've had a weird intermittent hum from the front end that comes and goes for the past 6 months or so. Usually gets started by a bump and stops after about 10 seconds. Happens at any speed over 20 mph but mostly around 30-40 mph. NO relation to engine speed or transmission. If I put the truck in neutral, hum doesn't change. All the tie rods are new. Checked both front bearings and they spin smoothly and have absolutely no play.

Never could determine the cause and since there were no other symptoms, I've just lived with it until warmer weather.

In 2 Hi, the front u-joints shouldn't spin so they shouldn't be the source of any hum. However if one is sticking, that sounds like it could explain some of what I'm dealing with.

Did you pull the u-joints to check them or check them in place?

Thanks...Steve.

 

Is your steering assembly lubed properly? And, the pump could be worn which would not provide enough output pressure. Tire pressure but that would cause a pull to one side. The hydro boost could be bad or the box itself is worn. If you have a bench to work on. You could rebuild any of them. With power steering fluid bath and some petroleum jelly. They are fiddly contraptions. Box has a bunch of ***** that are tricky to get back in.

 

I also just got a pdf factory Dodge Manual courtesy of Citizen Nine, so I'll go through that and see what tests I can run and what might be involved in diagnosing and/or repairing.

Tire pressure is correct, I'm certain. Steering linkage is new and fully greased.

I'll keep digging.

Thanks...Steve.

 

Inside the box there are valve called spool valves ... done many in the big trucks ... I put money on the box being the issue as its only one way .. if a u joint was sticking you would experience it in both directions as they do turn unless you have manual hubs ..

 

Not trying to hijack here...
I have been thinking of replacing/upgrading my box due to play/slop and age.
Any thoughts on the new Borgeson Box which replaces the Siginaw with a new Delphi? There are all sorts of advertised benefits...
There is also a replacement box in Summit I believe (an ag box IIRC); they claim quicker ratios.
If this is your problem (the box), what is the best option for repair?
DD

 

Im telling u its the gearbox!

 

i also think it is in the valves in the gear box. I would also like to know about the Borgeson box. Mine is leaking pretty good. I got the seals to fix it, but when i tried to get the pitman arm off earlier i managed to break the end off of one of the arms on a K-D two jaw puller.

 

I'm more curious about what Borgeson means by "modified" when they say that if you have a steering box brace it will have to be modified to work with their upgraded box.

 

hadn't seen that before. i did see somewhere offering a borgeson box and steering brace all in one package.