BlueLghtning Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 So it turns out it is the output shaft on my steering gearbox that has the bad leak and from what I've been quoted and reading, that generally is best to just replace the entire gearbox if the output shaft is leaking. I was left a VM today that the cost of this installed is $2235. That seems pretty steep, but I've never dealt with this before. I didn't get any details, but I'm assuming that's a new part? Anyone been through this before? Any thoughts? I'll call in the morning to find out the breakdown of the cost of the part vs labor, etc. Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARGO Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 Why not a used box? Anybody with some big metric tools can replace one, just need FEA afterwards. Where are you? You'd have to see the movie to understand.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtgeodog Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 I had mine replaced in July 2014. Parts= $1582.00 Labor $1142.00 Total Cost= $2725.57 They also had to replace the pitman arm on mine The box itself cost $965.00 with a core charge of %325.00 ShortyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 BL I had a leak and I pulled the old one off and replaced it with a used one. The important thing to remember is the alighnment of the spline on the box so that the wheel is in the correct position. Another route is to pull the box off and send it to Southern Powertrain in Charlette NC and have them rebuild it. Can you put your truck down for a week or so? Try 800 541 2791. They say 1 day service. Not knowing where you live there maybe a shop close to you that does that kind of repair/rebuild. When we replaced my steering box it tool a hour to get the used one off of the donater truck, a 1/2 hour to get my old box off and almost a hour to reinstall the used box on my truck. I have a 98 610 and contrary to what the dealer tells you most of the steering boxes will fit. We used the pitman arm that was on the donater. I've had that used box in the truck for almost 2 years. I gave $350 for the box. Pat The Old Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted June 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 1 hour ago, ARGO said: Why not a used box? Anybody with some big metric tools can replace one, just need FEA afterwards. Where are you? The truck is in Rapid City, SD and yes for that price I may just have to give this one a a shot. Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted June 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 10 minutes ago, JPL said: BL I had a leak and I pulled the old one off and replaced it with a used one. The important thing to remember is the alighnment of the spline on the box so that the wheel is in the correct position. Another route is to pull the box off and send it to Southern Powertrain in Charlette NC and have them rebuild it. Can you put your truck down for a week or so? Try 800 541 2791. They say 1 day service. Not knowing where you live there maybe a shop close to you that does that kind of repair/rebuild. When we replaced my steering box it tool a hour to get the used one off of the donater truck, a 1/2 hour to get my old box off and almost a hour to reinstall the used box on my truck. I have a 98 610 and contrary to what the dealer tells you most of the steering boxes will fit. We used the pitman arm that was on the donater. I've had that used box in the truck for almost 2 years. I gave $350 for the box. Pat The Old Sailor Thanks for the info! Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted June 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 1 hour ago, wtgeodog said: I had mine replaced in July 2014. Parts= $1582.00 Labor $1142.00 Total Cost= $2725.57 They also had to replace the pitman arm on mine The box itself cost $965.00 with a core charge of %325.00 ShortyO Ouch. Thanks for the break out. Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted June 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 So I was able to call thee shop back although the mechanic that quoted it doesn't come in until 10am. The quote is for OEM steering gear box at $1737.94 😮 and about 4 hours labor at $124/hr. I've asked them to see if there are some other options and maybe a bit cheaper. With a truck that only see's 12-15k miles a year, that's pretty steep. Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 Although I have a kenworth and not a Volvo, I bought a rebuilt gear box for about $400. I paid a local shop $300 to change it out. I use them for everything while I am in California. The dealer is too much. Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted June 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 They gave me a couple more options, but still not great. Volvo OEM - $1737.94 / $1671 reduced price / Sheppard gear. Volvo# 176701, M100 box. 4-5 hrs labor / $124/hr Option #2 $847.58 out of TN - Reman through freightliner 4-5 days to receive Option #3 $968.30 out of Chicago 2-3 day shipping Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted June 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 45 minutes ago, Ronbo said: Although I have a kenworth and not a Volvo, I bought a rebuilt gear box for about $400. I paid a local shop $300 to change it out. I use them for everything while I am in California. The dealer is too much. I would have no issues paying those prices. I'm still searching. Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 Let me know what you find. My output shaft on the steering box is leaking as well. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydrvr Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 You might try Adelman's, a local to me supplier of used and reman truck parts. I've been completely satisfied with their products over the years. Jay http://www.adelmans.com/truck-parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted June 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 Well, I went with option #2. Not the best price from what some of you have found your remans, but they did a little better on price it's workable and my truck is already there at their shop. I'm an hour from Rapid City so going to pick it up and take it to a new shop adds a whole lot more time and aggravation just to save a $100-$200 dollars. Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 Here is where I bought my gearbox. It has been quite a while now. Straightlinesteering.com Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atv_idiot Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 I believe I paid 575$ for my reman box through Weller Truck. And I believe they will ship anywhere. Took me longer to get the tools together and top off fluid than it did to swap the box myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemergary Posted June 22, 2018 Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 If there's no real slop in the shaft I'd just replace the seal. Even if slop just a worn bushing so would check on new seal and bushing. Just me talkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beyerjf Posted June 22, 2018 Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 1.8 million miles on my steering box and no slop or leaking. If I did have to repair/replace it I would go with a re-manufactured unit from the original manufacturer of the steering box, or someone who specializes in such. Would not consider used, have no idea what condition or use has been. Not a difficult job for the shade tree mechanics we have here..... Jeff Beyer temporarily retired from Trailer Transit 2000 Freightliner Argosy Cabover 2008 Work and Play 34FK Homebase NW Indiana, no longer full time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted June 23, 2018 Report Share Posted June 23, 2018 I had to replace mine several years ago because the seal was leaking. At some time in history someone tried to drill out the seal and buggered up the shaft. I don't remember where the replacement came from but it was some place in TX. It was a bit pricey because I have a heavy front end (14.6K) and they told me it was not a regular box but for a heavy front end. Could have been blowing smoke but I was a newbie and it has not leaked since. Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertMiner Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 Has your leak been fixed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted June 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 44 minutes ago, DesertMiner said: Has your leak been fixed? Yep, I got it back today. Expensive fix to pay someone to do it, but it's done. Steering feels nice and tight. I guess I'm slowly getting all the bugs worked out of my 18 year old truck. Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.