Help! Do I have a frame problem?

[killthewabbit]

I think I have a biiiig problem.

My one year old power steering pump drags. When it drags, the belt rubs and it starts to smoke. Therefore, I haven't driven it in awhile. As you can see in the video below, my steering box leaks a lot. Since the leak's at the box, you would imagine the box is bad and causing the pump to drag.

However, I noticed a problem when I grabbed the steering wheel and turned it. I took some video, and here that is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSEnHBrqMvo

If you look really close at around 1:11, you can see what I saw that's making me panic. When the wheel is turned, the driver's side frame rail is twisting back and forth. It's even moving the bumper brackets and the bumper, which you can see at the last part of the movie.

Uh, what can I do here? Is my frame toast? As far as I can tell, the crossmember is securely fastened. What else should I check? I have to tell you guys, I'm pretty depressed. I love this truck, and this is kind of a big problem.

[worthirt_99]

I had the same thing, go to a 4X4 shop. They make a kit to fix this same problem. It cost me a little less than $300 for the kit and to have them fix it. Oh when they did it, my power steering stopped leaking, after I tightened up the lines.

[killthewabbit]

They just knew what it was when you went in? I'm not sure what to ask for.

[killthewabbit]

Oh, and welcome to the board!

[100%Chevy]

Killthewabbit-You have a stressed frame!
Look inside the frame where the steering box bolts on.You may have to clean the crud off first,but you will find cracks around the bolts.They allow the frame to warp as you turn the wheel.
This happens on power steering trucks because on manual steering trucks you can't turn the wheels while sitting still!
The only real cure is to weld it.
The kits you can buy usually supply a plate or steel brace to stiffen the frame at the steering box mount.
I've welded a few of them.
Mike.

[worthirt_99]

Yes, as soon as I explained the problem to them, they knew how to fix it. 100%Chevy is correct on where it was. I just didn't trust myself welding a frame

[killthewabbit]

Thanks for the help, fellas. At least there's a fix for this one. I think I found a repair kit thanks to some folks on another forum.

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm

I think I'm going to try to get in touch with one of the off-road shops here in town and see if they're familiar with making this kind of repair. If they aren't, I guess we'll go from there.

[BIGCHEVYMAN]

there are several good shops in the middle tennessee area that will do a good job.

i would try tennessee off road first, i worked there part time after i got off from my real job and when i was there i seen them do a few of the steering box reinforcement jobs.

there are a few other places around here also, let me know if you need some more leeds.

[jdurant]

Your truck smiles when you make a left--that's awesome.
Really would have freaked me out.

[killthewabbit]

Originally Posted by BIGCHEVYMAN

there are several good shops in the middle tennessee area that will do a good job.

i would try tennessee off road first, i worked there part time after i got off from my real job and when i was there i seen them do a few of the steering box reinforcement jobs.

there are a few other places around here also, let me know if you need some more leeds.

You worked there when they were in Nashville, or since they've moved to Lebanon? I dunno that it makes a difference, really. I was going to try one here in Murfreesboro and if they look at me funny then I'll try TOR.

By the way, good luck on selling your crew cab. I've seen it once or twice on craigslist. Thanks for the info.

[killthewabbit]

Originally Posted by jdurant

Your truck smiles when you make a left--that's awesome.
Really would have freaked me out.

I didn't notice that until yesterday when I was taping the video and I felt the bumper moving at my knees. I started to think it was a pretty bad situation when I saw how much the bumper moved.

[GMBowtie79]

I had the same proble. My Burb had a couple big cracks. The problem is more common with 4x4's cuz of the oversized tires. Alot of people don't notice the problem til the steering box falls off. Easy fix, if you do it yourself put some POR15 or another rust inhibitor on the outside of the frame and the inside of the patch to prevent rust since water will get in between the two peices.