'94-'02 Dodge Ram Power Steering Gear Box Replacement - Step by Step!

[@rpvilleneuve]

man! I was about to pay ALOT of money to have someone swap mine out!(to the tune of 500 dollar for labor) I'm going to tackle it myself no problem love all the 2nd gen videos!!!!!

[@CodeRed21288]

I have to give the biggest thanks man. Think about all the time and money people like you help save. I got this done in a day and it saved my job, which I’m turn saves everything else. So again thank you so much bro

[@zachdavis4103]

Thanks! Well done! So many of these videos I find here on KZbin don't teach me anything. I end up wondering why the person even made the video in the first place. This is perfect instruction, good light, concise and useful. Thanks

[@Navs126]

Zach Davis welp that’s because they’re diesel vloggers and not actual technicians 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Cee1019]

Very greatful to see the exact process in a nice clean garage so that i know what im doing while i go lay in the snow at 7 am ^^

[@boldendorion]

The low quality videos are the best . This will make a easy work when I do mine . Thanks

[@andrewhansen4179]

Hi Jake. Good video. I just installed a RedHead steering box and used your video as a prep. Just in case others follow your video, I have a few different torque specs shown in my repair manual. Intermediate steering shaft pinch bolts...36 ft/lbs. Three attachment bolts of steering box to frame....140 ft/lbs. Sector shaft nut.....185 ft/lbs. Four sway bar/bushing attachment bolts......40 ft/lbs. All specs for 1999, 2nd generation 2500 4x4 diesel. RedHead steering components are excellent, with excellent customer service to boot. Thanks for the video. A.

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Thank you for the comment, yes I recommend looking up the proper specs in a manual, I think I got my specs from Cummins Forum because I didn’t have a manual. Again, great comment! It’ll definitely help people!

[@phendrix9476]

Those specs also apply to an ´01 2500 Dodge

[@digginwithhiggins7154]

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to explain and for all the wrench sizes!

[@leefeekes4289]

I'm going to be replacing one in a 2001 3500 ram van 5.9 liter non diesel. Hope everything works out the same. I'll let you know

[@jenniegarcia9308]

Great video.. This job sounded hella intimidating but your video really eased my anxiety of doing it myself. Thank you

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Glad I could help!

[@sebastianpistritto-yp8gy]

That was a great way the way you described it it was like a b and c thank you my friend I appreciate it you really helped me out

[@raymiller9391]

Thanks Jake just getting ready to change the steering box on my 2001 ram. Very helpful!!

[@workingshlub8861]

take the seatbelt and wrap it around the steering wheel and lock it to keep from moving...

[@Kernfederate]

You said you replaced your Pitman arm, is there a specific reason to do so or why you did it? Wondering if I ought to also. Thanks for the great video!

[@slit4659]

I have a 01 Dodge 174 Thou and had A'lot of play to...Not as much as this guy....I had Les Schwab install mine....After a Year it's still nice and Tight and Steers Great....I'm was around $680 having it done....Glad I did it.

[@GregoryJohnston77]

I'm that guy that puts the impact on the puller 😂🤣🤣🤣

[@digginwithhiggins7154]

Same 😂

[@billymorrow43]

Just done it twice just yesterday

[@digginwithhiggins7154]

100%

[@clark5486]

Same. And I'm not greasing my threads lmao

[@paulgarcia1040]

Nice of you to mention the wrench sizes. Makes it much easier to do this.

[@nathanh6950]

question, does it seem like the send and return line have enough movement to be moved to the side of the box? the psc big bore box has them located on the side and i want to make sure they will before purchasing

[@buixote]

Holy Crap! I've been pulling my pitman arm for *days* now... penetrating oil, heat, impact... that sucker ain't goin' nowhere! I'm watching your video to see how to take the box off... will put it in the press and get that sucker off! Thanks!

[@warrenzonator]

Tip #1 - git under there and pressure wash it first, I don't even get mad when people complain about wash fee shops charge sometimes

[@jkline999]

Thanks for the video. After a year, my redhead went tits up. For $50 they sent me another, so I get to do the job twice. Thanks, so much, team RedHead!

[@bryanjones4985]

I ordered one of those Redhead boxes. $500, with a $350ish core. Extremely sloppy paint, damaged splines and threads. It looked like they just painted where the new seal is supposed to go. I didn't even install it. I just sent it back. I bought a new one from Napa. It was very expensive but it's brand new with a lifetime guarantee so I would only be swapping it with another new one if it fails, not someone else's junk "remanufactured" box. Going to install mine after I finish watching this video

[@waynehutchinson1423]

Good vid.Why did you change the pitman arm.?

[@hunterfortner1852]

Is the steering shaft able to slide up and down freely

[@eberduque7952]

Do you have a video where you bleed the system?

[@7xTHORx1]

Do you still like the Red ahead? I read about a lot of these blowing seals within a year or two. I’m still looking for a box but I’m looking for long term results.

[@knight4869]

Great video brother, I am confident I can swap mine afterwatching.

[@garrittcusack8702]

When you installed the pitman arm to gear box it looks like it slid all the way up to the top of those splines? This is normal..? doesnt seem like mine wants to go that far up

[@KooLaidblue]

pro tip, if you're replacing them pitman arm also then leave it attached to the box and you can skip the special tool and extra work. Kudos on spending the extra time to show the viewers though.

[@bobbyhill7430]

Aye g you installed the "drag link" upside down it's supposed to go on the other side of the Pittman arm

[@xXGOTCRABSXx537]

Did you turn the wheel to align the steering shaft on the new box ?

[@imranvv]

Do u have to center the steering wheel or turn it to lock before you remove gearbox

[@joshuagarrison330]

Very informative video, thanks alot the torque specs definitely help.

[@SM0NKnT0NK]

How did you get the chassis so clean before you mounted the new steering box back on to it?

[@salty_saxy]

I'm legitimately about to buy a Red Head from DSP but don't want to pay a shop to change it. This was the first video that popped up, and I'm damn glad it was since it's the same product and basically same truck.

[@jacobduffy6860]

I couldn’t get the gear box off the steering column to save my life. Don’t know what I’ll do about that. Any tricks?

[@joestargia]

Hey i have a 2000 dodge 3500 need to replace the transmission u have any videos of that

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

no unfortunately. I replaced the transmission on this pickup before I got into youtube. its really easy tho. do some searching and read forums, lots of good info out there

[@peterd2587]

Best video I found on this

[@stu7604]

May I suggest that step one should have been to spray that working area with a gel type degreaser and power wash it off first?... I did so I didn't have to work through all the grease and oil. Questions: You already have a gear box stabilizer... so why did you need to replace your gear box? Don't the stabilizers work? Nice video!

[@nautilus9008]

If his gear box was original then it was worn out before he even installed the stabilizer. The stabilizer helps stop frame flex. It doesn't save a worn out gear box

[@patrickmuldoon3431]

Did that take out some of the play and help the truck turn better?

[@simontupikov]

How much would you charge to do this job again?

[@someguy19x]

The crown jewel for the 12v

[@shanesink8073]

Two years later, how do you like this steering box???

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Awesome. Feels just as good as it did the first drive with it two years ago

[@michaellumpkinjr2052]

I have a 12v myself wish I would've seen your video before I did the swap would've made things a lot easier thanks

[@jbygodd]

Great video !! Helped me out alot !! Thanks 👍🤘

[@billharmon1084]

@j-bobsgarage7535 how do I know if I should replace my pitman arm?

[@dumbeezy5480]

Can this be done with the wheel on the ground?

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Yes but you need to wheels off the ground to bleed the system when the job is done

[@dumbeezy5480]

@@j-bobsgarage7535 thank u sir

[@bruspacheco2373]

Hey, where did you buy the truck address box?

[@jeremyschneider7783]

why no sway bar? I also dont see a steering stabilizer that truck must have been rough to drive! glad to see another 98 12v still alive like mine looking forward to more videos!

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

The sway bar wasn't on the pickup when I bought it, no idea why, but I've done some reading online and people say that when they are off it gives the suspension more travel. I can't confirm this, but my dad has a 1998.5 24v Cummins and he has the sway bar and the steering stabilizer and you can't tell a difference driving his from mine, especially with my new steering box. The front end steering is an HD steering conversion the previous owner did, here's a like for more info about it if your curious: mopar1973man.com/cummins/articles.html/12-valve-2nd-generation/axles-suspension-brakes/98-99-hd-steering-conversion-r188/ Thanks for watching and it's nice to hear from other fans of the 98 12 valve!

[@uwebuehrle6381]

Warm the tie pitman slightly up, it expand and gives the rod end cone easy free !

[@Black0ut9150]

Can this Gear box be a probable cause of a powersteering leak?

[@TWINTURBOS4LIF3]

Where can you get a replacement return line fitting that goes off gear box? Anybody know size ?

[@javierlopez4545]

Did you get to make a video on how to bleed out steering box system? I found the the installation video very helpful. Thank you

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

no i never did, but there is some good videos on youtube if you just search.

[@rhecyeeyeejake7184]

ItS a GrEaT dAy To DrIvE a DoDgE 😂 indeed every day driving one is good

[@L33CHW33D]

Goodness. So I followed this and turned out great EXCEPT now I can't get the steering shaft back onto gear it's like it's too long. And if I connect it up first I'm having a devil of a time getting the 3 big bolts aligned

[@tacatomon]

Hey good video m8, thumps up. Question: Do you know if the steering gearbox of a 2500 4x4 gasoline is compatible with the diesel 4x4 version?

[@ManInTheBigHat]

So do you like the RedHead? Did it take that play out without adjustment?

[@atlas3863]

ManInTheBigHat Yeah I was wondering about that myself I’ve seen a couple of these videos but no one talks about if it actually fixed anything or not or if It was worth it over a new stock box....

[@glennboone1082]

Did you forget the o rings? Or just not covered in the video?

[@chrispeters4405]

excellent chance to use that neat knife

[@darlalarcom9739]

Why no sway bar? I have a 1500 2nd gen with steering stabilizer as well.

[@momoreno944]

Did the steering stabilizer help eliminate the play on steering wheel?

[@ChevoMKY5.7]

Can those be rebuild?

[@Namelesshero-e8k]

Yes

[@rpvilleneuve]

there is a laundry list of "that's what she said" jokes in the video 😂😂😂😂

[@Jdl223]

Did anybody add gear oil to the box or did it come full?

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

I just put in another box into my dads pickup last weekend and it came full

[@Jdl223]

@@j-bobsgarage7535 thanks, did you use atf or powersteering fluid? I ended up using atf for my reservoir. Some people say that's bad but I already had the box on by the time I realized I didn't drain the box, redhead uses atf I guess

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

@@Jdl223 I used atf in mine havent had a problem and its been a few years now. Used power steering fluid in my dads the other week, working just fine also.

[@terrellupshaw1433]

Do you have to take the pitman arm out to replace the gearbox?

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Yes because you have to swap it over to the new gear box that’s being installed

[@maxx597]

on the thread on the pitman arm it didnt have hole for cotter pin , so i drilled it and added one,

[@bryanzhinin6127]

Hey sorry to bother you again but I was driving and I had to brake a little hard and the pedal just sank on me and the abs light went on idk if I need new brakes or something else happens

[@truckcampertraveler7369]

Bryan Zhinin air in your line

[@uainttheone]

I just put one of those the big one the heavy duty like 1100 bucks cuz they wouldnt take my f****** core because the shaft was snapped.. the things already leaking like a sieve.... And I ran into a mechanic at the gas station he told me he has something to do with the air conditioner . Said people usually delete the air conditioner when they put the redhead on.. I just looked at him like he was crazy cuz there ain't no f****** way I'm taking my air conditioner off. I'm thinking to have something to do with the 38-in tires

[@billiambarnett]

Did you add the brace in hopes that it would solve your problems and not need a new gearbox? I was thinking that also.

[@benedictphoto]

i added the brace and it helped steering feel a ton, but i still have gearbox slop. it just doesnt feel like the steering wheel is buckling in turns anymore

[@dewywildon8880]

How's it steering now? Would be good to add a video of the result

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Steering is way better, I thought about doing a video of the result but it would be kinda hard to do that because you feel it when your driving, a video just wouldn't capture it very well I feel

[@nsboost]

@@j-bobsgarage7535 You showed us the steering wheel play in the beginning. I don’t know why you didn’t show us the wheel play after I watched a video of someone drive it after and before they even said something I could see how much better it drove.

[@Jdl223]

I got that metal line on the top with a 18mm line wrench crowfoot and a wobble extension , if anybody has trouble

[@davidanshel2772]

How to replace a power steering cooler box at bottom of a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 ?

[@Jwagnon89]

So is it still holding together nice and tight?

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Yes sir, about 6k miles on it since the video

[@Cc75757]

Thank you sir. Great video.

[@Michelle-fy4vq]

Is this video good to use for a 2001 Dodge ram 1500 5.2?

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Yeah it should be, if not it’ll be very similar anyways.

[@tacklebaseball1078]

Did it fix the problem?

[@romanstar7550]

ive a 2000 2500 4x4 ram . steered like a boat , all over the road . watched a ton of vids , talked to a bunch of people . replaced the gear box with a remanufactured one , didnt help . was play in steering column so put one from junk yard in that didnt have any play , didnt help . aligned it , didnt help . new front sway bar links , didnt help . went to a local highly respected alignment shop , told me the track bar was worn so replace that b4 aligning . he also said these rams are famous for sloppy steering , as in dont be real hopeful of getting it perfect . he also said its worth theextra money to buy the redhead gear box . though i add theres a vid here on rebuilding own gear box and it isnt real difficult . so im doing the track bar and also replacin the stsabilizer shock with the heaviest duty one because ive seen guys say that helps alot . btw , within the past 5000 miles i did upper n lower ball joints , all the tie rods , shocks , tires .

[@mikepodojil9773]

@@romanstar7550 am i missing something here? Did you get it fixed? Did you rebuild your old unit or buy the red head, or? How did it come out? I'm about to rebuild mine or replace it, not sure which yet but it needs replaced.

[@romanstar7550]

@@mikepodojil9773 didnt get fixed so driving other truck . put an oreily reman gear box on still swerves all over road . im trying this gear box stabilzer bar at link next . www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7W04VE?psc=1&pf_rd_p=de8506a5-56d5-4c6c-86fc-6a6d5de7bc06&pf_rd_r=5K3MVQVRR8QJ7Z22ZMDM&pd_rd_wg=VIuc5&pd_rd_i=B01N7W04VE&pd_rd_w=cYGeS&pd_rd_r=138060e3-bba9-4de1-abf3-5e2bc439ccfb&ref_=pd_luc_rh_rtpb_03_01_t_ttl_lh

[@thuss5162]

Nice your dash is one piece . my 96 the dash is junk. I was looking at a Sorensen the are supposed to be good. This looks better

[@eljoven732]

Wait so is there a way to make the dash look new again?

[@pelvismc]

Really good vidéo ! Thank you

[@rudygomez6996]

Thanks for video, very helpful

[@97Cummins]

good stuff, about ready to do this

[@kota001]

Ever replace power steering pump

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Yeah did that a few months before, and also rebuilt the vacuum pump

[@dk-bw4gk]

I waited til the end to see how much play was removed... Finding a quality Dodge steering box is a PITA.

[@oscarwalton1188]

You should get a sway bar

[@justinclark3840]

Got a 98 1500 and will be doing this replacement soon, good video was wondering if you've replaced your shocks and if you had any recommendations on the different brands

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

I'd recommend bilstein 5100s, I'm going to put those on soon

[@thankfullife7968]

Jake couldn’t agree more in the bilstiens. Rough country replaced 3 sets that leaked within first year and then 5 yrs ago went to Bilstien 5100 and still work great!!

[@chrishicks4999]

You got off easy, I had to cut my pitman arm off of mine

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Uff da that doesnt like too much fun

[@flawless2142]

What intake do you have geez 😂

[@themessaroundchannel8855]

Looks stock

[@backtheblue7716]

Am I the only one waiting for the end to see how little play was in the steering wheel after?

[@blackshirt4ever02]

You do know that you can adjust the gearbox, right?!

[@MrTtillots]

Brody Heilig how do you adjust it?

[@blackshirt4ever02]

There is a hex head bolt/nut on top of the gearbox. I am trying to remember how it’s done, but I believe there may also be a lock nut too. But I do know if you tighten it too tight you can screw up the worm wheel inside the gearbox.

[@MrTtillots]

Brody Heilig thanks man!

[@j.r.w7636]

I’m gonna have to try this before buying a new box

[@Jaymachine]

usually the gearbox is more worn in the center so be aware adjusting your box and make sure it does not bind at full turn.

[@kr4dh4x0r]

Holy leaks bat man.

[@bryanzhinin6127]

Hey so my 2001 2500 Cummins ho has a steering problem where I literally can only in a straight line I can’t turn at all it’s really stiff and my brakes also are stiff to press down on any ideas what it might be ?

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Could be a few things honestly. The first thing I’d check would be the power steering pump because the brakes and the power steering box are both powered by the power steering pump. Doesn’t sound like a common vacuum pump issue because the would cause the brake to feel really squishy. But check the power steering pump and go from there. If the pump is good it’s more than likely two separate problems. I’d also check out Cummins Forum, tons of info and I’ve solved many problems just by researching and reading threads!

[@bryanzhinin6127]

Jake thanks will do

[@bryanzhinin6127]

Hey so my truck has a little blow by is that normal ?

[@j-bobsgarage7535]

Yes, a little blow by in the 12 valve is pretty normal. They don’t have the best breather system ever. So what I did to help is to put a hole in the oil cap and run a hose from it to a bottle. Doing this helps relieve crank case pressure. I’ve also seen guys vent the valve covers.

[@bryanzhinin6127]

Doesn’t matter if it’s a 24v? No right

[@pablomarquez4431]

Clean the lense next time. Looks really foggy

[@pullinslack5600]

Great music

[@willgutierrez3064]

*Cries at part prices in Canadian

[@gregreece2073]

Good video, thanks! Will DIM it! Say I noticed (& read here) that's tranny fluid, right? Instead of Steering fluid? Gotta be a good reason...please FILL ME IN! Thanks again! SmknLZRD

[@TheKillerMarine]

That's just what Dodges use

[@ShainAndrews]

I've used ATF or hydraulic fluid (HiTran or HiGuard) my entire life. Never an issue. Then again I actually change power steering fluids yearly. Amazing how maintenance stops things from breaking down or leaking.