Posted by John Eickhof on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 10:25PM :
I found out yesterday when I was hauling a load to the dump after doing some spring cleaning! I went to turn off the main highway onto the dump road and I was about 1/2 way through the turn when I heard a funny 'PING' and the steering wheel spun right out of my hands!! I nursed the old 6x6 off the road to find the steering column shaft had sheared at the steering box!! I called Digger, and we spent yesterday afternoon and this morning rebuilding the box in the truck...due to hydraulic brake line placement, it is virtually impossible to remove the box unless you dismantle the brake system! Luck for me I have lots of parts trucks!! She went back together nicely and I found out the cause..when I installed the civvy cab on the ww2 6x6 I really didnot pay much attention when having to use a pinch bar to locate the steering column into the place on the dash! It was about 1" horizontally out of alignment and put so much strees on the shaft it finally gave way..Today I machined some shims and installed them between the box and the frame to center the column in the cab...boy does it steer better now!!!!! Both Digger and I got a first hand lesson on field stripping a Dodge steering box!! Now I have a few more parts to pack on the Moab and trail ride trips!
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