New steering box is notchy

[SkylinesSuck]

I just replaced my Durango steering box (that I never liked) with what is supposed to be a new Lares 11353 box. I bled it with the engine off by sawing the steering wheel back and forth lock to lock for a while and everything looks fine. Went for a test drive and there is a very noticable, almost dangerous "notchy" feeling to it that I have to really give some umph to overcome. Definitely wasn't there before I swapped it this morning. New fluid btw. Any ideas? I'd hate to have to return this thing and go through getting that damn pitman arm of again lol.

**Seems like there are 2-3 notches or humps it needs to "get over" from one lock to the other each time. Revving it doesn't seem to change it. It feels like it's getting very heavy in a few spots.

Bad box?

 

[Gollywomper]

Exchange it. Sounds like it is bad.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Yeah, I think so. Lares customer support just told me to repeat the bleeding process a few times I need it running so I might just return it to rock Auto and go get some crappy store brand

 

[Lax22]

It does sound like there is something wrong internally. Did you bleed it with the wheels off the ground? It took me about 80 cycles to get the air out when I did a frame swap.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Yep, wheels were off the floor. I'm going to bleed the piss out of it when I get home, but I'm not expecting it to fix anything. I want to wait on a replacement, but I don't have time, so I might gamble on the AutoZone crap. Not exactly a quick swap either

 

[pagrey]

You tossed the Durango box already? The steering stuff seems so sensitive to good parts, you might look into PSC.

 

[Gollywomper]

You tossed the Durango box already? The steering stuff seems so sensitive to good parts, you might look into PSC.

It’s all a crap shoot any more.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Still have the Durango box sitting on the floor. It's fine and I'm considering throwing it back in for now and ordering a replacement Lares unit. I just don't like the heavy feel of the Durango box and I think it feels "darty" on the road with it's quick ratio. Just got home. Gonna go bleed it some more now and trouble shoot a bit of I can. Maybe fresh eyes and a beer or two will help me figure it out.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

And, I will share my stupidity. After lifting it up and bleeding it some more with the engine off, I could hear a mechanical interference noise along with the "notch" feeling. I kept checking and saw no interference issues until I noticed the marks on the hard lines going in and out of the box. The end of the bolt holding the steering shaft on to the box was tickling the line. I think the Lares box is a slightly different shape and that let the lines get closer to the shaft. It cleared most of the time which is why I didn't notice it until I did. Only when it rotates just right did it touch. I will go for a test drive in the morning to confirm, but I'm pretty sure that was it. Bending a couple lines out of the way is about the best outcome I could have from this potential problem, despite having to fess up to my stupidity!

 

[Gollywomper]

And, I will share my stupidity. After lifting it up and bleeding it some more with the engine off, I could hear a mechanical interference noise along with the "notch" feeling. I kept checking and saw no interference issues until I noticed the marks on the hard lines going in and out of the box. The end of the bolt holding the steering shaft on to the box was tickling the line. I think the Lares box is a slightly different shape and that let the lines get closer to the shaft. It cleared most of the time which is why I didn't notice it until I did. Only when it rotates just right did it touch. I will go for a test drive in the morning to confirm, but I'm pretty sure that was it. Bending a couple lines out of the way is about the best outcome I could have from this potential problem, despite having to fess up to my stupidity!

Better than removing and swapping it out. Glad you found the issue.