Posted by Keith in Washington on Monday, November 14, 2005 at 1:21PM :
Saturday I replaced the rotors, calipers and hoses on the front axle of my Suburban. When I was adjusting the wheel bearings I got quite a surprise. As I moved the wheel right and left there was a clunking and slop. (I did not see this last week when I put new wheel bearings in on the right as the left tire was on the ground. I look over as I am moving it and all the tie rods and drag link are moving as expeced. The movement/slop apparently is in the power steering box. With 216,000 miles I am not too suprised. It also explains the ghosty feeling in the steering that I have felt lately going down the road. The drag link and tie rods are less than 2 years old and checked out fine.
OK here is the question. Is there an ajustment on the steering box to remove the slop or is is just better to replace it? I have never had to work on a PS gear before as this is the first one that I have really had. I am considering replacing it along with the PS Pump and all hoses as they are most likely contaminated with metal from the wear in the PS gear. Not a cheap way to go but it would be the best solution.
Is there any real reason to go with an AGR box? The Suburban stays on the road all the time. The only thing it sees is weekly snow while going boarding in the winter.
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