Steering slop
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 165
Likes: 48
From: Howell Mi.
Just wanted to update this. After thouroughly checking out the steering and suspension, i was able to determine that all the movement in my steering was above the steering box. Meaning there was a good 50 degrees of steering wheel movement with no pitman arm travel. I decided to give the sector shaft adjustment a try. I turned it in about 1/3 of a turn and went for a test drive. Wow.. totally different truck, feels tighter, virtually no wander. Steering returns to center, all is good. I am tempted to go a little more but i think ill leave it. So I am glad i gave it a shot, i realize its kind of a band aid fix and the box probably needs work, but for now, ill take it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 0
I was tempted to give mine a little more, don't do it.. if you're happy in the least bit, leave it.
I now have bind, cant lock my wheel completely (getting better, just have to get it some force near lock) and the play is as bad as it was in the beginning. My pivot arm bushings are also shot, so it might be coincidence that the play is worse. Redhead box and new bushings are only one paycheck away for me.
I now have bind, cant lock my wheel completely (getting better, just have to get it some force near lock) and the play is as bad as it was in the beginning. My pivot arm bushings are also shot, so it might be coincidence that the play is worse. Redhead box and new bushings are only one paycheck away for me.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Small acerage in Nebraska
My 91 had lots of play when I bought it too. Retorqued the suspension lift bolts, replaced pivot bushings and the radius arm bushings. That alone fixed 1/2 of the problem. Then noticed the shaft from steering column to the box was loose/had play in it when moving wheel. Rplaced with a good used and now it steers great!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 0
From: Longview, TX
It is on the steering box. I would suggest to forget about it because the major wear in the gear is straight ahead. However, if you must, loosen the lock nut, turn the screw 1/8 turn clockwise and hold it while tightening the lock nut. Drive it for several days. This will not repair worn gears.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, AR
It is on the steering box. I would suggest to forget about it because the major wear in the gear is straight ahead. However, if you must, loosen the lock nut, turn the screw 1/8 turn clockwise and hold it while tightening the lock nut. Drive it for several days. This will not repair worn gears.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 24
From: ME
I adjusted the sector shaft on my old steering box a couple months before I bought the Rehead steering box.It seemed to take some of the play out.But after a month my steering box started leaking. 
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, AR
How much do the redhead boxes cost?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 24
From: ME
After getting my core charge back it was about $280 shipped.It only took 2 days to get here, from Seattle WA to Maine.It's not cheap but from what I've heard, I wouldn't have been happy with a cheap remanufactured steering box.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 1
Do not buy a AGR box. I bought one and it was worse than the box I removed. I called them and they sent me instructions on adjusting the sector shaft. I would have thought it would be adjusted when I got it. The Red Head costs about the same and it is ready to bolt in. I have had to adjust it a couple times in the last few years. But that is probubly due to my big tires. And so far, it adjusts good for the whole range. Not just in the middle.
I must repeat, dont be afraid to adjust the sector shaft. I have done this many times on all sorts of vehicals. You might make it too tight, but you will know it on the first drive. It will not return to center. Back it off and try it again.
I must repeat, dont be afraid to adjust the sector shaft. I have done this many times on all sorts of vehicals. You might make it too tight, but you will know it on the first drive. It will not return to center. Back it off and try it again.
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