Ahhhhh!!!!! Truck broke down!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

arveetek · 03-20-2004, 12:48 AM

No, it's not the engine. Over 120,000 nearly trouble-free miles since rebuilt in 1996. The old 6.2L has been the most reliable engine I've ever owned.

No, it's the steering! If you recall, a couple of weeks ago I disassembled the steering gear box in order to repair a power steering fluid leak. I ended up having to remove and reinstall the worm gear to fix it.

All seemed well since then. No more leak, and the steering was tighter than ever. However, after turning a corner at an intersection tonight, the steering wheel locked up solid and wouldn't turn either direction. This locked me into a turn, so I had to pull into the center turn lane and come to a stop. There I was, in the middle of the road, unable to turn my wheel.

After wrestling the wheel back and forth a few times, I was able to get the wheels to turn a bit. I managed to pull into a nearby parking lot to see what I could do.

I could get the steering wheel to turn back and forth a few times, and then it locked up solid again. Finally, after trying to decide whether to attempt to drive to my in-laws a short distance away, or leave the truck where it was at, it decided for me. The gearbox broke, and now the steering wheel spins freely without any effect on the wheels whatsoever! Good thing I didn't attempt to drive it any further.

Talk about scary! I'm just glad this didn't happen at 70 mph. I'd have run off the road, swerved into oncoming traffic, or gotten killed!

I had no idea that a gearbox could fail like that. So much for fixing it myself, eh? Guess I'll be buying a new box tomorrow!

Anybody else ever experienced anything like that?

Casey

**swervin ervin** · 03-20-2004, 02:04 AM

No, but damned glad you are OK. That could have been real messy, real quick.

Blue Beard · 03-20-2004, 10:39 AM

Had one do that in a dodge van........sheard the shaft off just inside the box.

Devil'S Ride · 03-20-2004, 01:36 PM

yeah had one do that in my 1980 3/4......I had just pulled the old engine and was rolling the truck back outside....turned the wheel with no P/S an stripped the shaft.....then it locked up...I think the stripped teeth bound up? good to know you are ok tho.....must have been a bit of a shock!

Also.....can you post or PM me....what a steering box goes for? the one on my 77 leaks like seive out of the top seal.....thanks!

-Devil

arveetek · 03-20-2004, 05:54 PM

Devil,

I'm getting a reman unit from my local auto store for $150.00

Mike,

Thanks for the kind words.

Yep, it was really quite a shock! I actually ended up laughing, sitting there in the middle of the road, with a locked up steering wheel. I just thought it was so funny! I mean, a steering wheel you can't turn! What the .......???!!!?? My wife didn't think it was so funny, though!

I was very fortunate it failed when and where it did, instead of on a busy interstate or something.

*mike reeh* · 03-20-2004, 06:57 PM

time for an AGR performance box! around $300

mike

arveetek · 03-23-2004, 07:55 PM

I got the truck back together today. I installed a reman gear box. The pitman arm was worn out, so that needed to be replaced. Since I was going to need an alignment anyway, I went ahead and replaced all 4 tie-rods and the idler arm while I was at it. Now all steering components are new.

I have an appointment Friday morning for the alignment and 4 new tires as well. I got 60,000 miles out of these BF Goodrich tires, so I'm pleased!

The truck will be better than ever!

**Captkaos** · 03-23-2004, 08:13 PM

Glad you are ok Casey.

BTW, care to give you opinion here:
http://pub158.ezboard.com/f7387chevy...icID=219.topic

apstguy · 03-23-2004, 09:13 PM

SOunds like you got lucky! Glad your ok. I've seen those AGR boxes around, but aren't they for 4X4s only?

*mike reeh* · 03-23-2004, 10:36 PM

apstguy my agr box is 4wd but Im approximately 99.5% sure that they make em in 2wd version also

mike

**Captkaos** · 03-23-2004, 10:46 PM

Yeah, the do. Note lower right of pic
http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/enginemock1.jpg

**swervin ervin** · 03-23-2004, 10:56 PM

Yep, they have AGR boxes for 2wd's.

85 K5 · 03-24-2004, 10:35 AM

Did some research on AGR, found out the original owner Tom sold the business due to a car wreck or something. The quality of their products quickly went downhill since. Tom has since restarted his own business and everything I've read about his boxes is positive. pscpowersteer.com Check it out, they're not as expensive as AGR. I just got one for the 4x4 from him and am happy with it. It is tight and has I think a 16-17:1 ratio which results in a 3.25 total turns of the steering wheel. Found lots of AGR hate threads in the pirate4x4.com forum search.

apstguy · 03-25-2004, 02:39 PM

You guys with AGR boxes notice a difference? Tighter or just different?

**swervin ervin** · 03-25-2004, 03:44 PM

Yes, I did and my old box wasn't worn out either. It gives a tighter feel to the wheel. Like it goes where you point it. I believe it has a little quicker ratio also. For our trucks, you can't get real quick ratio anyway buy these are variable ratio. Of course the feel prpbably has a lot to do with a rebuilt front end and urethane bushings too.

03-20-2004, 12:48 AM	#1
arveetek Ultimate Diesel Dude Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 328	Ahhhhh!!!!! Truck broke down!! No, it's not the engine. Over 120,000 nearly trouble-free miles since rebuilt in 1996. The old 6.2L has been the most reliable engine I've ever owned. No, it's the steering! If you recall, a couple of weeks ago I disassembled the steering gear box in order to repair a power steering fluid leak. I ended up having to remove and reinstall the worm gear to fix it. All seemed well since then. No more leak, and the steering was tighter than ever. However, after turning a corner at an intersection tonight, the steering wheel locked up solid and wouldn't turn either direction. This locked me into a turn, so I had to pull into the center turn lane and come to a stop. There I was, in the middle of the road, unable to turn my wheel. After wrestling the wheel back and forth a few times, I was able to get the wheels to turn a bit. I managed to pull into a nearby parking lot to see what I could do. I could get the steering wheel to turn back and forth a few times, and then it locked up solid again. Finally, after trying to decide whether to attempt to drive to my in-laws a short distance away, or leave the truck where it was at, it decided for me. The gearbox broke, and now the steering wheel spins freely without any effect on the wheels whatsoever! Good thing I didn't attempt to drive it any further. Talk about scary! I'm just glad this didn't happen at 70 mph. I'd have run off the road, swerved into oncoming traffic, or gotten killed! I had no idea that a gearbox could fail like that. So much for fixing it myself, eh? Guess I'll be buying a new box tomorrow! Anybody else ever experienced anything like that? Casey __________________ Project truck: '81 C/20 converted to 6.2L TURBO DIESEL bored .040", gear drive, 6.5L injectors/pump, custom pistons, custom 4" exhaust, 700R4, 4.10's Daily Driver: '95 K1500 Tahoe, 6.5L TURBO DIESEL, NP241, 4L80E, 3.42's

03-20-2004, 02:04 AM	#2
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	No, but damned glad you are OK. That could have been real messy, real quick. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

03-20-2004, 10:39 AM	#3
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Had one do that in a dodge van........sheard the shaft off just inside the box. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

03-20-2004, 01:36 PM	#4
Devil'S Ride Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Grants PassOregon Posts: 335	yeah had one do that in my 1980 3/4......I had just pulled the old engine and was rolling the truck back outside....turned the wheel with no P/S an stripped the shaft.....then it locked up...I think the stripped teeth bound up? good to know you are ok tho.....must have been a bit of a shock! Also.....can you post or PM me....what a steering box goes for? the one on my 77 leaks like seive out of the top seal.....thanks! -Devil __________________ The Devil 1983 ONE TON 454/400/208 11" of lift on 44's

03-20-2004, 05:54 PM	#5
arveetek Ultimate Diesel Dude Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 328	Devil, I'm getting a reman unit from my local auto store for $150.00 Mike, Thanks for the kind words. Yep, it was really quite a shock! I actually ended up laughing, sitting there in the middle of the road, with a locked up steering wheel. I just thought it was so funny! I mean, a steering wheel you can't turn! What the .......???!!!?? My wife didn't think it was so funny, though! I was very fortunate it failed when and where it did, instead of on a busy interstate or something. __________________ Project truck: '81 C/20 converted to 6.2L TURBO DIESEL bored .040", gear drive, 6.5L injectors/pump, custom pistons, custom 4" exhaust, 700R4, 4.10's Daily Driver: '95 K1500 Tahoe, 6.5L TURBO DIESEL, NP241, 4L80E, 3.42's

03-20-2004, 06:57 PM	#6
mike reeh 5 day ban, learn to behave. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 684	time for an AGR performance box! around $300 mike

03-23-2004, 07:55 PM	#7
arveetek Ultimate Diesel Dude Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 328	I got the truck back together today. I installed a reman gear box. The pitman arm was worn out, so that needed to be replaced. Since I was going to need an alignment anyway, I went ahead and replaced all 4 tie-rods and the idler arm while I was at it. Now all steering components are new. I have an appointment Friday morning for the alignment and 4 new tires as well. I got 60,000 miles out of these BF Goodrich tires, so I'm pleased! The truck will be better than ever! __________________ Project truck: '81 C/20 converted to 6.2L TURBO DIESEL bored .040", gear drive, 6.5L injectors/pump, custom pistons, custom 4" exhaust, 700R4, 4.10's Daily Driver: '95 K1500 Tahoe, 6.5L TURBO DIESEL, NP241, 4L80E, 3.42's

03-23-2004, 08:13 PM	#8
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Glad you are ok Casey. BTW, care to give you opinion here: http://pub158.ezboard.com/f7387chevy...icID=219.topic __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

03-23-2004, 09:13 PM	#9
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	SOunds like you got lucky! Glad your ok. I've seen those AGR boxes around, but aren't they for 4X4s only? __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

03-23-2004, 10:36 PM	#10
mike reeh 5 day ban, learn to behave. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 684	apstguy my agr box is 4wd but Im approximately 99.5% sure that they make em in 2wd version also mike

03-23-2004, 10:46 PM	#11
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Yeah, the do. Note lower right of pic http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/enginemock1.jpg __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

03-23-2004, 10:56 PM	#12
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Yep, they have AGR boxes for 2wd's. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

03-24-2004, 10:35 AM	#13
85 K5 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Spring TX Posts: 113	AGR Did some research on AGR, found out the original owner Tom sold the business due to a car wreck or something. The quality of their products quickly went downhill since. Tom has since restarted his own business and everything I've read about his boxes is positive. pscpowersteer.com Check it out, they're not as expensive as AGR. I just got one for the 4x4 from him and am happy with it. It is tight and has I think a 16-17:1 ratio which results in a 3.25 total turns of the steering wheel. Found lots of AGR hate threads in the pirate4x4.com forum search. __________________ 350 Crate 10 bolt 3.73 2.5 lift 32x11.50 1904 Edelbrock http://www.oplnk.net/~spirit/K5front.jpg

03-25-2004, 02:39 PM	#14
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	You guys with AGR boxes notice a difference? Tighter or just different? __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

03-25-2004, 03:44 PM	#15
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Yes, I did and my old box wasn't worn out either. It gives a tighter feel to the wheel. Like it goes where you point it. I believe it has a little quicker ratio also. For our trucks, you can't get real quick ratio anyway buy these are variable ratio. Of course the feel prpbably has a lot to do with a rebuilt front end and urethane bushings too. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10



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