Bad NEW Steering Gear?

Just replaced my gear box on my 98 K1500, and it requires much more effort than my old one did. It is working, I can turn the wheels with the truck sitting still easily enough, but going down the highway, it seems to take a LOT of effort to change lanes, or even hold a steady line if the wind is blowing. I have never had this problem before in any of the other vehicles Ive owned, and realize that a new box should be a bit tighter, but this seems a bit rediculous, since driving tires my arms......
I tried adjusting it, but tighter makes it just that, worse. Looser equals too much play in the wheel....
Any ideas?

Reman, new, used? Do you have EVO steering in that truck? Why was it replaced, same problem.

Reman, was replaced because of worn out box, could not adjust play out all the way without it becoming tight....not the same problem. I have the sensor under the dash on the column, but unsure about what its true function is, since the power steering pump and gearbox have no wires, and it would be fairly impossible for it to control anything there without a connection of some type.....maybe its not EVO then.....

Nobody? I was wondering maybe if the pump could be bad, but again, it worked ok with the old box....

try taking the cap of the resivoir and with the truck running turn the wheel back and forth about 10 times to each side(turn to each side as far as possible) to bleed out any possible air pockets that might have been formed.

Over sensitive steering in the straight away drive position is typical of a bad evo sensor, just don't know if this truck is so equipped. Or you have a poorly rebuilt unit, remember there is another adjustment involving the spool/rack.

your EVO sensor controls pressure depending on speed & wheel position.
Dealer can test it. Cost about $70 for part. Took me about an hour to replace. If you research you'll find alot of info. Most common symtom of
bad sensor is a sudden loosening of the steering around a corner at a moderate speed. If I hadn't researched prob on this site, I probably would
have ended up replacing steering box, maybe ball joints ect. before figuring
out what prob was. PM me if you want detailed replacement instr. GOOD LUCK

I cant stand the excessive effort required to turn while on the highway, even for a lane change, it acts like the power is gone. But while sitting still it seems to turn OK.
My Cherokee used to be stiff to turn, but now since this, its easy as pie....

Just replaced my gear box on my 98 K1500, and it requires much more effort than my old one did. It is working, I can turn the wheels with the truck sitting still easily enough, but going down the highway, it seems to take a LOT of effort to change lanes, or even hold a steady line if the wind is blowing. I have never had this problem before in any of the other vehicles Ive owned, and realize that a new box should be a bit tighter, but this seems a bit rediculous, since driving tires my arms......
I tried adjusting it, but tighter makes it just that, worse. Looser equals too much play in the wheel....
Any ideas?

Did you ever get this fixed????

I also have a '98 K1500, and I recently replaced the steering gear box with a rebuilt unit from Autozone. This is the second steering gear unit from Autozone. Now the steering is atrocious. There is a GIANT dead zone on-center, and the truck wanders, PLUS the steering requires a lot more effort at all speeds.

I cannot live with this horrible steering, but would like suggestions before I go back to Autozone.

Should I simply buy a used steering gear from a junkyard?

Someone please help. This is 'driving' me crazy. :runaround:

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Did you ever get this fixed????

I also have a '98 K1500, and I recently replaced the steering gear box with a rebuilt unit from Autozone. This is the second steering gear unit from Autozone. Now the steering is atrocious. There is a GIANT dead zone on-center, and the truck wanders, PLUS the steering requires a lot more effort at all speeds.

I cannot live with this horrible steering, but would like suggestions before I go back to Autozone.

Should I simply buy a used steering gear from a junkyard?

Someone please help. This is 'driving' me crazy. :runaround:

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Best to start a new thread with your own problem.
Also some proper testing to make sure it is a defective steering gear.
If so.

AZ should take care of it under warranty.
Not sure but they may pay labor on it to.
You could also have a weak ps pump.
I would also make sure power steering pump is good.
And also sensor as metioned in post 6-7.

Best to start a new thread with your own problem.
Also some proper testing to make sure it is a defective steering gear.
If so.

AZ should take care of it under warranty.
Not sure but they may pay labor on it to.
You could also have a weak ps pump.
I would also make sure power steering pump is good.
And also sensor as metioned in post 6-7.


Thanks for the tips. I am having the work done at a local shop, where the guy has 40+ years experience with Chevy trucks. All his guys (and him) own Chevy trucks. He is convinced the problem lies with the AutoZone steering box. So, he called his junkyard buddy and they are getting me a used box.

Good idea to check on the P/S pump. I looked at the pump, but did not see any wiring to it, thus it must not have the EVO??

Thanks again.....

Thanks for the tips. I am having the work done at a local shop, where the guy has 40+ years experience with Chevy trucks. All his guys (and him) own Chevy trucks. He is convinced the problem lies with the AutoZone steering box. So, he called his junkyard buddy and they are getting me a used box.

Good idea to check on the P/S pump. I looked at the pump, but did not see any wiring to it, thus it must not have the EVO??

Thanks again.....

Just looking does no tell a person much.
Only proper testing will tell the story.
Well with that much experiance they should know that.
EVO sensor controls the pump and steering gear operation and power steering pressure.
Good Luck and let us know how itngoes.