Steering box questions

[MrTruck805]

Hi all,

Recently sometimes when I hit a small bump I'll hear this rubbing/groaning sound in the vicinity of the steering gear. It will continue until I jerk the steering wheel around a little. My power steering pump has recently been replaced, and didn't coincide with the noise. My steering box is leaking.... but who's isn't.

It's an 89 fullsize jimmy with about 205k miles. Sitting on 35s.

Pretty hard for me to pinpoint the problem since it happens when I'm driving. Do my symptoms remind anyone of a bad steering box? Is that a pretty straightforward replacement?

Thanks.

 

[6872xtc]

I would be checking for a cracked frame .
I don't know if that is definitely your problem , but worth a look.

 

[diesel4me]

I'd also look for frame cracks,and any loose or missing rivets on the two crossmembers that the sway bar bolts too especially,I've found sheared or loose ones even on a few 2WD trucks..also if you still have a sway bar those rubber bushings to the frame clamps can wear down and allow metal to metal contact..
I have seen stock front leaf springs sag enough to let the rear facing shackle rub on the bottom lip of the frame when the shackle bushings wear out too..also stop leaf springs have a double wrapped "eye" up front,and the second leaf down often cracks there where it wraps around the bushing..make sure the u-bolts are tight and the spring center bolts have not sheared too..

Usually a worn out steering box either gets sloppy and steering becomes un-predictable,it'll swerve or dart to one side or the other,or it'll feel like its binding up and releasing, as you turn the steering wheel...