Autozone reman. steering gear boxes - don't buy

A couple of years ago, I replaced a loose steering gear box in my '98 Silverado. I purchased a rebuilt box from Autozone. It never felt right, steering effort was too high and it was a little difficult to hold center, the truck wandered a little, but this didn't bother me too much as the truck was my secondary vehicle and I did not use it much.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I finally got fed up. I had started driving the truck again regularly and the steering was simply unacceptable. So I took the steering gear box back to Autozone and they cheerfully gave another rebuilt unit. So I installed this 'new' rebuilt unit and the steering was ATROCIOUS! I mean, it was beyond belief how bad it was. The steering effort was through the roof and there was a GIANT dead zone on-center. It was quite literally unsafe. So I took this box back and they gave me all my money back.

I then got a used steering gear from a junkyard for $50 and now my steering is like new again! :grinyes:

I am not knocking Autozone in general. I buy a lot of stuff there and you simply can't beat their warranty, which is typically lifetime, so long as you own the vehicle. But when it comes to rebuilt steering gear boxes - well, get a used one from a junkyard.

Anyway, just thought this might help someone who's having steering problems. Hope I'm not violating any forum rules, but if I am, I apologize and just delete the thread.

Thanks

A couple of years ago, I replaced a loose steering gear box in my '98 Silverado. I purchased a rebuilt box from Autozone. It never felt right, steering effort was too high and it was a little difficult to hold center, the truck wandered a little, but this didn't bother me too much as the truck was my secondary vehicle and I did not use it much.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I finally got fed up. I had started driving the truck again regularly and the steering was simply unacceptable. So I took the steering gear box back to Autozone and they cheerfully gave another rebuilt unit. So I installed this 'new' rebuilt unit and the steering was ATROCIOUS! I mean, it was beyond belief how bad it was. The steering effort was through the roof and there was a GIANT dead zone on-center. It was quite literally unsafe. So I took this box back and they gave me all my money back.

I then got a used steering gear from a junkyard for $50 and now my steering is like new again! :grinyes:

I am not knocking Autozone in general. I buy a lot of stuff there and you simply can't beat their warranty, which is typically lifetime, so long as you own the vehicle. But when it comes to rebuilt steering gear boxes - well, get a used one from a junkyard.

Anyway, just thought this might help someone who's having steering problems. Hope I'm not violating any forum rules, but if I am, I apologize and just delete the thread.

Thanks

And thanks for posting this info.

Oh yes.
It should help and answers several post with that problem.

I am not sure where this should be posted.
Maybe admin. can help out there.

But it is very good info about rebuit AZ steering gears and May help answer several post on steering gear problems like yours.
I have noticed several post on hear with the same problem with AZ steering gears.
They must have a bad batch of them.
Did yours have the varable steering setup?
What was the manafacture of the steering gear?
MT

And thanks for posting this info.

Oh yes.
It should help and answers several post with that problem....

Did yours have the varable steering setup?
What was the manafacture of the steering gear?
MT


Ahhhh, good, glad to hear that this info might be helpful. :smokin:
My truck does NOT have EVO (variable steering effort).
Not sure about manufacturer of the gear box.

Thanks for feedback

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