Steering Box Options

[JPVortex]

Hey y'all, 02 Suburban 1500. At 200k miles, it's well worn with a good amount of slop. Entire rest of the front suspension and steering is brand new. What's the verdict on the best steering box to go for without breaking the bank? Debating between a Bluetop or a new unit from one of the RockAuto brands. I know RedHead is crap now, not sure about Bluetop, also not sure about how these new ones would be.

Heres the new ones on RockAuto:

 

[Marky Dissod]

Borgeson, Lee Power Steering, and Turn One come to mind for having reputations that exceed GM OE.
They are capable of rebuilding your steering box.

Do not know how to determine whether your 'production code' is LS, UT, or YK.
Do know that you want 12.7:1 steering box.

 

[JPVortex]

Borgeson, Lee Power Steering, and Turn One come to mind for having reputations that exceed GM OE.
They are capable of rebuilding your steering box.

Do not know how to determine whether your 'production code' is LS, UT, or YK.
Do know that you want 12.7:1 steering box.

Thank you sir!

 

[JPVortex]

Hey folks, so was looking for play today. Kind of hard to tell where the play is from. I know it’s from either the column to the box, everything else is new. I took this video here.
Thoughts?

 

[Fless]

I'd say gearbox. No way you should be able to move the shaft that much with your hand.

My test was having someone inside the cab wiggling the steering wheel back and forth slightly, while I watched the gearbox input shaft for movement.

 

[JPVortex]

I'd say gearbox. No way you should be able to move the shaft that much with your hand.

My test was having someone inside the cab wiggling the steering wheel back and forth slightly, while I watched the gearbox input shaft for movement.

That’s kind of what I was thinking. So definitely am in the market for a new gearbox. Then I can get the alignment decent. Right now the wheel is off center and pulls to the left. Literally I’ll be going around a left curve and I’ll have to hold the steering wheel slightly to the right. Feels super weird.

 

[BoatyMcBoatface]

Hey y'all, 02 Suburban 1500. At 200k miles, it's well worn with a good amount of slop. Entire rest of the front suspension and steering is brand new. What's the verdict on the best steering box to go for without breaking the bank? Debating between a Bluetop or a new unit from one of the RockAuto brands. I know RedHead is crap now, not sure about Bluetop, also not sure about how these new ones would be.

Heres the new ones on RockAuto:

View attachment 452768

Check out the close out section of rock auto, i found my gear box there. It was a BBB.

 

[JPVortex]

Check out the close out section of rock auto, i found my gear box there. It was a BBB.

I had horrible luck with BBB Industries steering gears in a 94 K1500 I owned. Tried like 3 different ones and they all had slop in them.

 

[BoatyMcBoatface]

I had horrible luck with BBB Industries steering gears in a 94 K1500 I owned. Tried like 3 different ones and they all had slop in them.

Funny , i had the same issue but once i adjusted the preload it was good. I was going to send it back but it worked out fine. Still in use. This is unfortunately what happens with rebuilt boxes.

 

[JPVortex]

Funny , i had the same issue but once i adjusted the preload it was good. I was going to send it back but it worked out fine. Still in use. This is unfortunately what happens with rebuilt boxes.

Did you do the 2 part preload adjustment? I know on the Saginaw boxes you can adjust the preload from the front by the input shaft and up top like most other gears.

 

[BoatyMcBoatface]

Did you do the 2 part preload adjustment? I know on the Saginaw boxes you can adjust the preload from the front by the input shaft and up top like most other gears.

The input should be set. I only used the top adjustment. I preadjusted it by clamping in a vise with an old steering shaft connected to remove the slop. After install i checked and tightened it just a hair more. I also friggen ended up cross threading one of the mounting holes. The center one had to order a tap to chase it.

 

[JPVortex]

The input should be set. I only used the top adjustment. I preadjusted it by clamping in a vise with an old steering shaft connected to remove the slop. After install i checked and tightened it just a hair more. I also friggen ended up cross threading one of the mounting holes. The center one had to order a tap to chase it.

The top adjustment is pretty much what everyone uses, not really the proper full adjustment at least for those Saginaw boxes. You’re supposed to loosen the top one then adjust the front input until there’s a certain amount of drag, like 2in lbs or something, can’t remember the exact procedure.

With that being said, I’m not even sure the 3 bolt steering box in the gmt800s like the suburban I own now even have that sort of adjustment, I don’t see anywhere to adjust it but the top Allen key. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

Cross threading bolts on important things is probably the most scary thing in the world lol… my most recent cross threading story was when I replaced my exhaust manifolds and cross threaded the absolute **** out of one of the bolt holes in the head for the manifold. Thankfully running a tap through it saved the day.

 

[JPVortex]

Ok folks, I found a local part out for a Silverado 1500 with only 130k on it, with no steering play.(My burb has 200k) Guy wants $60 with steering shaft included, going to get tomorrow.

Y'all think Ill need another alignment when all Im doing is replacing the steering box? Same pitman arm bolted to different box. Just had aligned a couple months ago. If the wheel is off center I can adjust the tie rods(one side in, one side out equal amounts).

 

[JPVortex]

Update time, got the $60 steering box and it’s great! Here’s the video here, it has literally zero play in it and all and needs no adjustment whatsoever. To say I’m excited to put this thing in tomorrow is an understatement.

Here’s the video:

Happy Easter folks!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Update time, got the $60 steering box and it’s great! Here’s the video here, it has literally zero play in it and all and needs no adjustment whatsoever. To say I’m excited to put this thing in tomorrow is an understatement.

Here’s the video:

Happy Easter folks!

Too bad they cut the pitman arm. Would've made it that much easier for you with the install.

 

[JPVortex]

Too bad they cut the pitman arm. Would've made it that much easier for you with the install.

Oh that’s no worries at all. It came right out and I’m reusing the one on my old box. It’s only a couple months old.

 

[JPVortex]

Update here, what are your guys thoughts based on this video?

 

[JPVortex]

No need for adjustment, almost no play when driving it so far. It’s never going to have 0 play, as it’s not a rack and pinion. At the alignment shop now, steering does feel a little weird

What I did notice is that with this box the steering effort is a lot more than the other one, it feels super firm while turning the wheel. Not sure if that’s normal or not. Almost feels kind of like the pump might be going out. It’s definitely making some noise, groaning and then sometimes a higher pitched grinding sort of noise. So I may end up needing a pump in the future.