Last week I started having an issue with my gearbox. I dont drive my truck except for on the weekends so its been sitting since, but when I turn only to the left it gets in a bind and and it sounds like a door creeking open/closed. A friend of mine who is very knowledgeable on the 6.0s was thinking it may just have and air pocket in it some how causing the problem..

I didnt know if any of you guys have had the same problem and if so what resolved it? The shortened version of the story was last week I had to pull my brothers 6.0 out of the mud hole he got in (killed just the starter thankfully).. After pulling him out was when I noticed it. I didnt go through any puddles as most of the tracks were dry, but im pretty much stumped at the moment.

I was going to change the ps fluid and see if that helped, but I figure ultimately it needs a new gearbox. Where would be the best place to get one as far as $$? Would a junk yard be somewhere to stay away from? Ive heard that im looking somewhere around 500?? for one new?

 

Redhead steering gearbox is the best from what I hear.

 

Have you heard of any numbers $ wise? There website doesnt give much info other than a phone number lol.

 

Call RedHead and see what they have to say.

Here is some readng in the meantine:

Steering box adjustments:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ightening.html

Before deciding it is your steering box, make sure wheel bearings, steering linkage parts, and ball joints do not have excessive play and then verify that "toe-in" is within spec. Incorrect toe-in will cause an otherwise sound vehicle to have a tendency to "follow" irregularities in the road surface whereas preloading the steering box on such a vehicle would only promote wear and not stop the wandering.

Cartmanea can give you pointers if you want to ask questions on what he has done.

Access to the box is pretty good w/ the fender liner out.

 

Is it a 4X4? If not you can skip all but the last part.
You will need help for the ball joint test. Only jack up one said at a time
Have a helper take a bar or some thing to use as a lever to pry up on the wheel
just a bit and watch both the upper and lower ball joint. Do this to each side
Jack the front end off the ground and hand turn the wheels while the hubs are locked.
Turn the wheels both to the left and right. Look for binding in the axel u-joints.
Back up in the air both sides again to check for looseness in the steering gear.
You are looking for play and smoothness in operation left to right and back.
Read some of the other posts about people that have had problems.
But once you know it's the box that is bad
Remember you get what you pay for a cheep box may get you down the
road but for how long before it fails again and your out the labor to change it again or
worse yet they try to wiggle out of there so called lifetime warranty.
Call RED-HEAD STEERING GEARS INC. 1-800-808-1148 Harvey can talk you through
more testing to make sure you need a new box,
Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Remanufacturing Process
BTW I don't work for Redhead. Just happen to like there stuff.

Sean

 

Yes yahiko it is 4wd. At first since I mentioned the story, I had to use 4x4 to get my brother out and thought that even though i turned it back to 2wd it was still engaged. The steering is real choppy when youire not in slippery mud, but I checked the axles and they spun freely..

Thanks guys for all the info and hopefully tomorrow ill make a day out of it and do some looking around. Ill def give them a call and talk to them more!