red-head steering boxes
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Posting Guru
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red-head steering boxes
good day another member posted some links a few weeks ago that i was checking out and found this company based in seattle wash. called red-head steering. the web site looks good so i called them and was told they have "the fix" for these boxes with machined houseings bearings on the lower shaft and "resized bearing *****" for the sector shaft my ? is has any one here used these boxes from this company for a 79 2wd? by the time i pay for the box,shipping to alberta,and core charge its a $500.00 bill so i am just wondering if their as good as they say they are any comments?
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
ALL Ford/Saginaw P/S gearboxes have a built in flaw: There are no bearings on the sector shaft. And because of this, within a short time, P/S fluid begins leaking past the sector shaft seal. 
ALL the so-called "rebuilt" P/S gearboxes sold by FoMoCo and autoparts stores are nothing more than resealed gearboxes.
Red Head takes the housing, machines it, installs the bearings that FoMoCo left out...on purpose...so they could sell a gazillion seal kits!
Ford/Saginaw P/S introduced in 1965 Galaxie/LTD, in F100/250 2WD's and F350's in 1969 from serial number D96,001. Thru 1972, only a master seal kit (C5AZ-3C538-A) was available.
D7AZ-3E501-B (replaced D7AZ-3E501-A, D3AZ-3E501-A & C5AZ-3C538-A) .. Sector Shaft Seal Kit // F3AZ-3E502-A (replaced D7AZ-3E502-A, D3AZ-3E502-A & C5AZ-3C538-A) .. Input Shaft Seal Kit.
Last FoMoCo vehicles to use Ford/Saginaw P/S: 2002 Crown Vic/Mercury Grand Marquis, went to Rack & Pinion P/S beginning in 2003. 2010: Mercury cancelled, 2011: Crown Vic cancelled.
ALL the so-called "rebuilt" P/S gearboxes sold by FoMoCo and autoparts stores are nothing more than resealed gearboxes.
Red Head takes the housing, machines it, installs the bearings that FoMoCo left out...on purpose...so they could sell a gazillion seal kits!
Ford/Saginaw P/S introduced in 1965 Galaxie/LTD, in F100/250 2WD's and F350's in 1969 from serial number D96,001. Thru 1972, only a master seal kit (C5AZ-3C538-A) was available.
D7AZ-3E501-B (replaced D7AZ-3E501-A, D3AZ-3E501-A & C5AZ-3C538-A) .. Sector Shaft Seal Kit // F3AZ-3E502-A (replaced D7AZ-3E502-A, D3AZ-3E502-A & C5AZ-3C538-A) .. Input Shaft Seal Kit.
Last FoMoCo vehicles to use Ford/Saginaw P/S: 2002 Crown Vic/Mercury Grand Marquis, went to Rack & Pinion P/S beginning in 2003. 2010: Mercury cancelled, 2011: Crown Vic cancelled.
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Posting Guru
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so bill do you think the work they do with the sector shaft/ball bearings would make a difference? it seems like all most every truck i have has a "steering issue" either the box is too loose [road wander] or it starts to load up the pump it the ajuster is to tight spending the $ is not a problem if it works
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I've recommended Red Head for 6 years and not because I have red hair.
The Ford/Saginaw P/S gearbox has been crap since day one, because there are no bearings on the sector shaft.
And btw, there isn't a peep in Ford parts catalogs about the gear being made by Saginaw, probably because...Saginaw is a division of General (aka Government) Motors.
AFAIK, FTE member jowilker let the "cat oughtta the bag" by calling the gearbox a Saginaw. The first day I noticed that, I said to myself "What the hell is he talking about?" Investigated, found out he was right.
The Ford/Saginaw P/S gearbox has been crap since day one, because there are no bearings on the sector shaft.
And btw, there isn't a peep in Ford parts catalogs about the gear being made by Saginaw, probably because...Saginaw is a division of General (aka Government) Motors.
AFAIK, FTE member jowilker let the "cat oughtta the bag" by calling the gearbox a Saginaw. The first day I noticed that, I said to myself "What the hell is he talking about?" Investigated, found out he was right.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
I have one and several other FTE members have them.
Works great. As Bill said, they correct the design defect in the box. The sector shaft now rides on needle bearings instead of just the cast iron housing.
Their price is competitive with the chain store "spray and pray" rebuilt units.
You can either send them yours and they'll rebuild it or they can ship you one from stock and use yours as a core.
Mine cost around $226.00 plus the UPS charges.
Works great. As Bill said, they correct the design defect in the box. The sector shaft now rides on needle bearings instead of just the cast iron housing.
Their price is competitive with the chain store "spray and pray" rebuilt units.
You can either send them yours and they'll rebuild it or they can ship you one from stock and use yours as a core.
Mine cost around $226.00 plus the UPS charges.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
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From: NW Indiana
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Panama City, FL
There very popular in the 7.3 forum also. Theres a group buy going on right now to get them cheaper.
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From: I live in no. ca.
I bought one from red head and it cannot be beat they put a bearing on the pitman arm end. I'm ordering one now for my 79 with only 70K mi. and the lower bushing is worn. makes the truck wander. there price is right also.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
bearing on the pitman arm end. I'm ordering one now for my 79 with only 70K mi. and the lower bushing See posts 2 & 4 for additional info.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
The hard parts to actually rebuild the internals of the steering box haven't been available for years. Besides adding the needle bearings to the sector shaft Red Head also regrinds the "screw" of the input shaft and then fits oversize ***** so these units are truly rebuilt not just resealed like you'll get from the chain stores.
They also work their "magic" on manual 2WD and 4WD boxes.
They also work their "magic" on manual 2WD and 4WD boxes.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
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From: West Virginia
My excursion has a redhead steering box on it. They charged my credit card for the core charge and would not refund it 2 months after I'd sent the core back (with deliver receipt so I knew they got it). When I called (a few times, mind you) they always sounded stoned. Just take any teen movie with a bored, stoned drive through burger clerk and imagine his voice over the phone... "uh, I dunno man, I don't see your order anywere (rustling of papers) nah I dunno man." I finally had to threaten to do a charge back on my credit card after accruing 2 months of interest before they would refund the core charge. Mind you, they never said they didn't get it, and they never said it was damaged. I shipped it return receipt with insurance. And about 4-5 months after this fantastic expensive magical steering box was installed, its now groaning every time I turn the wheel.
I won't be doing business with them anymore, I can tell you that.
I won't be doing business with them anymore, I can tell you that.