If you've spent any time behind the wheel lately and felt like you're wrestling a boat rather than driving a truck, it might be time to look at your 2017 ram 2500 steering box. It's one of those parts that you don't really think about until it starts acting up, and when it does, it makes every highway trip a stressful, white-knuckle experience. These trucks are heavy-duty machines, but the steering system has a reputation for developing a bit of "personality" as the miles add up.
Signs Your Steering Box Is Giving Out
The most common complaint is what truck guys usually call "dead space." You're driving straight down the road, and you can wiggle the steering wheel back and forth a few inches without the truck actually turning. It's annoying, sure, but it's also a bit dangerous when you're towing a heavy trailer or driving in heavy wind. If you feel like you're constantly correcting the wheel just to stay in your lane, that's a classic symptom.
Another red flag is a literal red flag—power steering fluid leaking from the box itself. You might see some wetness around the pitman arm or find a few drops on your driveway. Once those internal seals start to fail, the steering feel only gets worse. You might also hear some groaning or whining when you're maneuvering in a parking lot. While that's often the pump, a worn-out box can contribute to that overall "tired" feeling in the front end.
Why the Stock Box Struggles
The 2017 Ram 2500 is a massive piece of engineering, especially if you've got the Cummins diesel sitting over the front axle. That engine is heavy, and every time you turn the wheel, that weight puts immense pressure on the steering gear. If you've added bigger tires or a lift kit, you've basically doubled the workload for that stock steering box.
The factory units are okay for standard use, but they weren't exactly built to last forever under extreme stress. Over time, the internal gears (the sector shaft and the worm gear) develop play. You can try to tighten the adjustment screw on top of the box, but honestly, that's usually a temporary band-aid. If you over-tighten it, the steering won't "return to center" naturally, which creates a whole new set of driving headaches.
Replacing vs. Upgrading
When it comes time to swap it out, you've got a big decision to make: do you go back with a standard Mopar replacement, or do you step up to an aftermarket heavy-duty version?
Going with an OEM replacement is the easiest path, and for a lot of people, it's perfectly fine. If your truck is bone stock and you just want it to drive like it did the day you bought it, a new factory box will do the trick. However, many owners find themselves back in the same spot 50,000 miles later.
This is why the aftermarket is so popular for the 2017 Ram 2500 steering box. Companies have figured out where the factory design falls short and have reinforced those areas. They often use larger internal bearings and better seals to handle the side-loading that happens when you're running 35-inch or 37-inch tires.
Popular Aftermarket Choices
If you start browsing the forums, a few names will keep popping up. Redhead Steering Gears and Blue-Top Steering Gears are two of the biggest players. They take original housings and remanufacture them with much tighter tolerances than the factory ever did. They actually fit each individual set of gears to the housing to make sure there is zero play.
Then there's the Borgeson option. They offer a heavy-duty replacement that's often a bit beefier than the stock unit. It's a favorite for guys who do a lot of heavy towing or off-roading. Any of these options will usually give you a much firmer, more precise feel through the steering wheel than the stock unit ever could. You'll actually be able to feel the road again, which is a nice change of pace.
Don't Forget the Steering Brace
If you're going through the trouble of replacing your 2017 ram 2500 steering box, you absolutely should consider adding a steering box brace at the same time. These trucks have a design where the sector shaft (the part that sticks out of the bottom of the box) is only supported at the top. This allows it to flex side-to-side under load.
A steering brace attaches to the frame horns and provides a second bearing for the bottom of that shaft. It's a relatively cheap part—usually around $150 to $200—and it makes a world of difference. It takes the leverage off the steering box internals and helps prevent that "wobble" from starting in the first place. It's probably the best "insurance policy" you can buy for your new steering gear.
Tips for the Installation
Changing a steering box isn't exactly a "quick oil change" type of job, but it's definitely doable in a driveway if you've got the right tools. The biggest hurdle is usually the pitman arm. Those things are pressed on there with years of road salt and heat, and they do not want to come off. You'll need a heavy-duty pitman arm puller—the cheap ones you find at the local parts store might just snap.
Make sure you also have plenty of rags and a catch pan, because power steering fluid gets everywhere the second you crack those lines open. When you're putting the new box in, it's a two-person job if you can manage it. These boxes are surprisingly heavy, and trying to line up the mounting bolts while holding the box with one hand is a great way to get a workout you didn't ask for.
Once everything is bolted up, you'll need to bleed the system. This usually involves jacking the front end up and turning the wheel lock-to-lock dozens of times (with the engine off initially, then with it running) to get all the air bubbles out. Don't skip this step, or you'll hear the pump screaming the first time you drive it.
The Difference It Makes
It's hard to describe how much better a truck feels once the steering is tight. You don't realize how much mental energy you spend "driving" the truck in a straight line until you don't have to do it anymore. With a fresh 2017 ram 2500 steering box and maybe a brace to support it, the truck feels smaller and more nimble.
You'll find yourself much more relaxed on long hauls, and the truck will respond to small inputs rather than requiring big sweeps of the wheel. It's one of those repairs that feels expensive when you're buying the parts, but the second you hit the highway, you'll realize it was worth every penny. If your Ram is starting to wander, don't wait until it becomes a safety issue—take a look at that steering box and get your truck back to driving the way it should.