Steering gear box popping, cracking, sqeaking noise

[wesley.ogle]

I am a new owner of a good old 99 f250 PSD. This truck has about 170k and a 4 inch lift and 35 inch tires. I just finished rebuilding the front ball joints, spidle bearing, and replacing 1 axle stub and both hub seals. I have now noticed noise coming from inside my steering gear box i.e; popping, cracking, and sqeaking. While I was investigating where the noise was coming from I noticed that the nut that holds the extended pitman arm was loose, I tightened it in hopes that was my problem but its not, I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if it is as simple as replacing the box or something else? Thanks for the help.......

[TruckTrooper]

Originally Posted by wesley.ogle

I am a new owner of a good old 99 f250 PSD. This truck has about 170k and a 4 inch lift and 35 inch tires. I just finished rebuilding the front ball joints, spidle bearing, and replacing 1 axle stub and both hub seals. I have now noticed noise coming from inside my steering gear box i.e; popping, cracking, and sqeaking. While I was investigating where the noise was coming from I noticed that the nut that holds the extended pitman arm was loose, I tightened it in hopes that was my problem but its not, I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if it is as simple as replacing the box or something else? Thanks for the help.......

hows the slack in the steering wheel? check for loose tie rod also and grease your fittings. Would be a shame to have to get a new gear box. I have heard of people going to an aftermarket gear box, but I am not sure the cost these days.

[wesley.ogle]

Yeah I went thru everything that would take grease. I wondered if there was a stronger after market steering gearbox on the market. Auto zone wants $150 bucks for a rebuilt one. I just want to go thru all of the possibilities first. I also thought about looking into hydraulic steering but I am not sure what all that would involve. The first thing I am going to do is take the pit man arm off to see if it is damaged. I am sure that it has something to do with turning these big tires all the time.