RedHead Steering box Help Please
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
RedHead Steering box Help Please
Installed a RedHead box yesterday on my 05 F350 crew long dually. Flushed whole system with new Mercon & bleed. Steering wheel is quarter turn to right to drive straight & I understand that is a center link adjustment. What I don't understand is when I make a right turn she dont come back home center but half turn short & stops(6 o'clock) & on a left about a quarter short (9 o'clock). Kind of feels like my old box when I tightened the adjuster a hair to much she stopped coming home completely but fixed with alot of slop & made the steering "heavy". Last week all new tires & alignment at dealer. Then Bilstein 5100's all the way around including steering damper. I plan to call Harvey at ReadHead tomorrow & tell him of my situation & see what he says. Can anyone tell me when they installed their new box if its suppose to be that tight & not return to center? Any info would be appreciated.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 17
From: Millersburg, OH
It could be the box or it could be that your old steering box was so loose that you didn't notice other issues within the steering system. What it sounds like is a memory steer issue.
Here is what I would do. Jack up the front of the truck and put it on jack stands. Take the wheels off and then on one side disconnect the tie rod from the knuckle. Turn the knuckle back and forth. It should turn freely and pretty much flop back and forth easily. If that side checks out reconnect the tie rod and move to the other side and repeat the process.
If one side or the other (or both) is very stiff, remove the drive axle and check its motion and the knuckle. One or both components might be stiff or binding. You will have to replace ball joints and/or u-joints as needed.
If you find that all parts move freely then it could be the the steering box or another component in the steering system. Post back what you find.
Here is what I would do. Jack up the front of the truck and put it on jack stands. Take the wheels off and then on one side disconnect the tie rod from the knuckle. Turn the knuckle back and forth. It should turn freely and pretty much flop back and forth easily. If that side checks out reconnect the tie rod and move to the other side and repeat the process.
If one side or the other (or both) is very stiff, remove the drive axle and check its motion and the knuckle. One or both components might be stiff or binding. You will have to replace ball joints and/or u-joints as needed.
If you find that all parts move freely then it could be the the steering box or another component in the steering system. Post back what you find.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Thanks Mike! Soon as I can get some time off work I will go thru all that you mentioned step by step. Weird though, old box steering wheel came back 100% & new one binding on the way back. I really appreciate your help, get back to u soon.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Just an update: So I removed tie rods last night one side at a time & the spindles did flop back & forth. Been driving on the new Red-Head all week since install & boy is it tight, too tight. Turning the wheel while driving or parked takes pretty much 2 hands. Remembering right before the box change out I was turning the wheel in my driveway lock to lock with one finger while reaching thru the window while my buddy was looking for track bar slop. Called Red-Head this morning with my results & the woman was sweet as a peach. Listened to my problem & I told her I spoke to Harvey about it 2 days ago & she is sending out another box today. Not looking forward to the R&R again, but thats just my luck. So I'm hoping this next box will get me back on track.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 373
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 17
From: Millersburg, OH
Sorry to hear that Ed. Bad products slip through even to the best of companies. The good news is they are backing there product up unlike other companies. There is a guy whom posted in the Red Head install thread I created that is having a similar issue but the steering box is not from Red Head. He's having to fight with them to get anything done.
Anyway when you get the new box installed post up the results.
Anyway when you get the new box installed post up the results.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Will do Mike! Yes I'm not mad, I know it happens. I just want it to be right so badly. They are backing up their product & thats why I went with their box due to the good reputation they have around. I feel for that guy, if he can't get anywhere with the company & the box is too tight I would just back the adjustment stud off a little to see if that does anything for him. Otherwise he must come out that pocket again.
[quote=Monster-4;10638648]Sorry to hear that Ed. Bad products slip through even to the best of companies. The good news is they are backing there product up unlike other companies. There is a guy whom posted in the Red Head install thread I created that is having a similar issue but the steering box is not from Red Head. He's having to fight with them to get anything done.
Anyway when you get the new box installed post up the results.
[quote=Monster-4;10638648]Sorry to hear that Ed. Bad products slip through even to the best of companies. The good news is they are backing there product up unlike other companies. There is a guy whom posted in the Red Head install thread I created that is having a similar issue but the steering box is not from Red Head. He's having to fight with them to get anything done.
Anyway when you get the new box installed post up the results.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Land of Lincoln
Got the second box in & its like real real nice. Big difference from the first box. One finger steering is back. Had to change out the drag link, sleeve, & drag link end due to the rust it could not be adjusted to get the steering wheel straight. So now I got a straight steering wheel & a new box, Bilsteins all the way around, new tires, & alignment. Steering damper is off for the moment so I can get a good feel on the new box. Still have some wondering & bumpsteer. Wanting to get the alignment checked sometime this week & ordered an Icon dual steering stabilizer today to help with bump steer.Any suggestions or recommendations?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hogtrapper
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Nov 27, 2015 10:32 AM
afonda
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
18
Feb 28, 2009 07:51 AM
13MWZ
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Nov 24, 2007 05:38 PM
joseph_m48075
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Nov 5, 2003 01:34 AM
ford351c
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
May 19, 2003 10:14 PM
