Hi all I just had the shaft that comes out of the steering box shear in half just above the pitman arm. The wife was driving it to work when the failure happened. total loss of steering. The truck is a 2001 f250 7.3l crewcab. My question is has anyone heard of such a failure and is there a recall on this truck for this item.

 

Don't know about a recall... never heard of it before. Here's a link to an outstanding upgrade unit, though, and it is very competitively priced in comparison to an OEM replacement. Seems to be manufactured to extremely high standards, and I've read excellent reviews from folks who have purchased them.

Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Home

 

Same thing happened to me. Luckly I was just in the driveway when it happened. Here is where mine broke.[IMG]<a href="http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g40/rustydailey/Parts/?action=view&current=DSC01268.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g40/rustydailey/Parts/DSC01268.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

 

Interesting, thats the same place mine broke.Your picture could pass for my broken gear

 

Do you have a lift on your truck, too? I noticed Rusty has a 4'' lift. I don't know it this could be a coincidence.

 

x2 on the redhead gear boxes, i dont have one myself yet, but have heard nothing but great reviews from those who have

 

Yep I wrecked mine a year or so back...no really bad body damage other than a bedside, but the impact from the ditch broke my steering shaft and the gear box. I had the body shop put in a red head steering gear box. Very good quality and very reasonably priced. It turns 35s just like the stock gearbox turned the stock tires.

 

Yes I have A lift on mine, I already installed a new steering box. My friend who ownes his own repair shop said he has never seen or heard of a failure of this kind. We checked the alignment on all of the steering compoments and everything checks out ok. My next step is to call Ford and see what they say. Anyone want to guess what they will tell me, LOL.

 

. I will, I will. Ford will give you all your money back, and give you a brand new truck. Am I close?

 

I've heard about this more than once. I also run a Red-Head and love it. Good luck with Ford.

 

I've heard of it a few times on lifted trucks too. Seems there's is a different arm or something that can be installed to keep this from happening.

Sorry, I don't have a lift so I didn't pay that much attention.

 

What about slop in the steering?

Would that be caused by a worn steering gear box? My 7.3 has >200k miles.

I have replaced all the steering linkage and associated ball joints. Front bearings are new. Put a new set of Michelin tires on and the need for constant course correction is making me nuts. Wasn't as bad with my past cheapo tires.

I have new struts all around as well as a new hydraulic steering pump.

Alignment guy told me it might be steering gear box.

Redheads are EXPENSIVE: 2001-2004 Ford Super Duty Steering Gear | RedHeadSteeringGears.com

RockAuto has ACDELCOPart # 36G0037 remaned unit for $150 plus shipping plus core charge and that shipping annoyance.

Thoughts?

 

I've had three of them break and look exactly like yours. None of them broke while doing anything other than driving normal. I could tell from mine, all of them looked like they had been cracked about half way through for quite some time, then snapped the rest of the way for no particular reason. I would hate for this to happen at highway speeds. All of them broke on me at under 20 mph.

 

The exact same thing happened in my truck ,looks like it's just a weak link in an otherwise heavy duty reliable truck if there is a recall I'd like to know about it too.