So, my power steering is loose, very loose. So instead of messing with it I decided to bite the bullet and go with a Red-Head steering box. It should arrive today. I am reading the Haynes book and it tells me to center the wheels to assure I pull the pitman arm off in the center position of the steering gear. I understand that.

The question I have is how do I know the Red-Head box center position?

Am I overthinking this?

I hope I've explained myself clear enough.

 

I installed a Red-Head in my 78 f250 last weekend. They come centered so all you have to do is bolt everything up. fill with fluid bleed it and go!

Just dont move the new gear box off center before you install it.

 

Awesome Possum!! Thank you..

Are you glad you bought Red-Head?

 

Very glad I bought a Red-Head. My truck drives so much better now, not weaving all over the road with the loose steering. Plus no more leaks!

I do suggest using a pitman arm puller to get the pitman arm off. If you don't have one O'riellys has a rental pitman arm puller, same thing with the nut that holds the pitman arm on. They have a 34 MM Axle Nut Socket that works to get the nut off if you don't have a socket to fit it. Makes it alot easier and quicker to use the pitman arm puller.

 

Ford p/s bleeding instructions:
1- Hook everything up
2- Fill with fluid
3- Jack up front of truck off of ground (Both front wheels)
4- Disconnect or Disable coil (So Truck CANNOT start)
5- Turn Steering wheel lock to lock about 5 to 10 times
6- Top off Fluid
7- Repeat Step 5
8- Repeat Step 6
9- Crank engine over (Ignition Disabled) and turn steering lock to lock 5 to 10 times
10- Repeat Step 6
11- Repeat Step 9
12- Repeat Step 6
13- Enable Ignition
14- Start Truck and turn Lock to Lock 5-10 times
15- Turn off Truck
16- Repeat Step 6
17- Repeat Step 14
18- Repeat Step 15
19- Repeat Step 6
20- Let Truck Down off of Jacks or jack Stands
21- Repeat Step 14
22- Steering should work just fine, have all the air bled out and have a quiet pump to boot!!!

 

Red-Head actually sends a piece of paper with the new gear box with bleeding instructions. I was going to bleed using the ford way above but decided to do the Red-Head way, it involves less wheel turning but still gets the air out and no pump noise.

 

Thank you sooooo very much for the help.