Steering gear box swap

[Jaycenk]

I am thinking about getting rid of this stupid varible ratio factory steering box. I changed that steering wheel possition sensor and I think I may have to change the power steering pump or that varible rate flow valve on the pump. it works ok but everything has 160k on it so things are wearing out. What kind of problems am I loking at if go with an AGR pump and AGR 12/1 ratio quick steer/ steering box. I know the thing will be sesitive at highway speed but I am kind of used to that anyway. I got this 98 Tahoe 4dr 2wd a couple of moths back and I know I am basicaly reinventing the wheel on it but it is my tow vehicle for my boat and the damn steering box seems to not be very responsive at highway speed and it is strange to me. Let me know if any of you have done it or see potential pro's and cons about doing this. Thanks

 

[ewheelin]

Do you mean you have play in the wheel? You can adjust them fairly easily.

 

[T-Bagg]

How do you adjust this? I must know. I have ridiculous amounts of play at highway speeds. So much so, I'm the only one who can drive it, as I'm used to it. It's only been driven by other people twice, for DD purposes. They told me the next day it was a pain in the ass and their shoulders were sore from it.

 

[Jaycenk]

How do you adjust this? I must know. I have ridiculous amounts of play at highway speeds. So much so, I'm the only one who can drive it, as I'm used to it. It's only been driven by other people twice, for DD purposes. They told me the next day it was a pain in the ass and their shoulders were sore from it.

That sounds like the steering wheel position sensor for you Tbagg. Mine was the same way and what happens is the sensor goes bad and the varible flow rate valve on the pump is constantly changing the flow rate which changes the box from 13 to 1 steering to 16 to 1 steering. I changed mine and it works ok now but I actually hate the 16 to 1 steering at highway speed. I have minimal play due to rebuilding the front end but I can't stand not having the responsiveness. The position sensor is located at the base of the steering column. It tells the flow valve on the pump what ammount of fluid to flow. I thought about changing to the AGR varible rate box and pump but I am not sure if I want to do that or just go with a quick ratio box and standard pump. I have swaped the steering boxes but had no luck with 2 of them that where rebuilds. I called AGR and they machine the boxes and use the correct size new internals V's the reman's that machine and sleeve the stock boxes and do nothing with the cam's and valves which are what go bad.


I don't really have play ewwheelin. I am just kind of stuck as to what type of steering I really want to have. I think the 12 to 1 box may be what I am looking for but I am not sure.

 

[T-Bagg]

That sounds like the steering wheel position sensor for you Tbagg. Mine was the same way and what happens is the sensor goes bad and the varible flow rate valve on the pump is constantly changing the flow rate which changes the box from 13 to 1 steering to 16 to 1 steering. I changed mine and it works ok now but I actually hate the 16 to 1 steering at highway speed. I have minimal play due to rebuilding the front end but I can't stand not having the responsiveness. The position sensor is located at the base of the steering column. It tells the flow valve on the pump what ammount of fluid to flow. I thought about changing to the AGR varible rate box and pump but I am not sure if I want to do that or just go with a quick ratio box and standard pump. I have swaped the steering boxes but had no luck with 2 of them that where rebuilds. I called AGR and they machine the boxes and use the correct size new internals V's the reman's that machine and sleeve the stock boxes and do nothing with the cam's and valves which are what go bad.


I don't really have play ewwheelin. I am just kind of stuck as to what type of steering I really want to have. I think the 12 to 1 box may be what I am looking for but I am not sure.

You got a pic of this sensor so I know exactly what I'm looking for? And what's the price, about, on one of those?

 

[Jaycenk]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Dorman-Sensor-Steering-Wheel-Speed/1998-Chevrolet-Tahoe-2WD/_/N-ja8d1Z8ijac?counter=1&filterByKeyWord=steering+wheel+position+sensor&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=21391_0_13424_

---------- Post added at 03:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:31 PM ----------

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Dorman-Sensor-Steering-Wheel-Speed/1998-Chevrolet-Tahoe-2WD/_/N-ja8d1Z8ijac?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=steering+wheel+position+sensor&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=604618_0_2826_

---------- Post added at 03:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:32 PM ----------

Both of these are the same thing. I bought mine through local GM dealer and it was $100.

---------- Post added at 03:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:33 PM ----------

Some modles don't have them. If you do more than likley this is what is causeing the steering problems. They are located at the bottom of the column near the fire wall. If you follow the steering shaft back up you will see a cup that this sensor snaps into. It is a real PITA and you have to be careful of the wire harness for it. t is very short and hard to work with. Took me about 30 mineven though it looks like a 5 min job. You have to disconect the steering shafte and push it back through the fire wall. The boot on the fire wall will come off most of the time but is not that bad to get back in. Slide the old one off and the new one on and put it back together.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

What years came with the modules? i thought it was past 97 or something?? i cant remember.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

My steering blows...I have new pitman and idler arms. Saying If I change these...it will be better? I have 4wd

 

[Jaycenk]

My steering blows...I have new pitman and idler arms. Saying If I change these...it will be better? I have 4wd

Change what the box or that sensor? If you have that varible rate system had any kind of milage then yea swap the sensor because it goes bad on just about every one of these trucks that have 60k on them. It came on 4wd and 2wd. I am going to call AGR monday and talk to them about the swap.

 

[992dr]

I have an AGR quick steer gear box. I swapped everything (complete front end) accept the sensor. Looks like I'm going to do that very soon, lol.

FYI, the steering box from a 454SS is the same ratio as the AGR for half the price