I've stayed away from threads like this one for sometime, but I really think quite a few of you here upgrade to the red head for all the wrong reasons. I do understand when your steering box goes south you need to replace it. On my previous Ex (02') I started with adjusting the steering box ( 1/4 turn at a time ) yes this took 5 attempts to get it perfect. Then the key for me was finding a Great alignment guy that not only drove my ex and only deals with EX's and Super Duty but LISTENED to me (mr. ****). My alignments were done by 1 tech at my local Ford Dealer, you sometimes have to think outside the box and he did. He started at Ford Specs and from there made adjustments again yes it took him 5 test drives. Best $99 ever spent. My old Ex handled incredibly well, almost Porsche like . It did require RAS, V codes and hellwig to get me there but overall I was shocked on the handling, tracking and cornering was for a truck.

When I sold my Ex the new buyer wanted to go for an extended test drive, I agreed but went along with him. First thing he did was play with acceleration, second was let go of the wheel at 60 for what seamed to me as an eternity. He claimed he had been shopping and had driven over a dozen in the last 2 weeks. Needless to say I thought, great a tire kicker. He claimed that not one other tracked even remotely close. He did not haggle with me and couldn't take the money out of his pocket fast enough. Point is most of the steering issues with our Ex's can be resolved without changing out the steering boxes (for steering issues you sometimes have to look outside the box)....Also, my tires always wear evenly, I use to get 70k on by BFG's.

Hope this helps.

 

My issue is the wheel will return almost to center when going around a corner but stays about a half a turn in either direction depending on the turn. If I turn the wheel a half a turn the truck stays going in the direction I half turned the wheel in. It seems to me that it is binding in the center position on the box. I have had a very good alignment guy adjust it a couple times but still the same issue. I have new moog ball joints and he pulled off the tie rods to make sure the ball joints moved freely and they did. Do you think it is still out of alignment or is it the box

 

Have you tried to adjust the steering box at all? Is the steering linkage free of any binding?

 

That is a symptom of a box adjusted too far.

 

I did have the steering box adjusted it took a couple times but it is tight nowthey actually backed it off a little cause it got too tight. My situation only started to show up in the last maybe 5000 miles. never had an issue before in the last 25,000 miles
I am hoping not to have to replace the steering box.

 

The steering linkage is free, My alignment guy did tighten up the box when it was in, do you think he went to tight and if so is it just a matter of loosening up the adjuster?

 

Yes, he went to far! No doubt in my mind... That's why I did not agree with my mechanic when he told me what his intentions/procedure. The dealer wanted to tighten than back out some (as needed). I would not let him do that, thought that can't be good for a box that at the time had over 100k miles on it. The only way (that won't cause any damage) is going a quarter turn at a time, and know when to stop. The only downside is the time it takes to do, but all can be done within a couple hours.

 

Just FYI....If you over tighten the box, you will shorten its life.
Edit*
At this point you have little to lose, back it out and start adjusting again. Just my .02

 

Check your u-joints. New ones for me cured by steering problems.

 

I agree, but would assume that by now the box is toast.

 

I agree with your statement.
Didn't want to scare the OP, but that is usually what happens when you over do it.

I would still give it a try though. Like I said before, he has nothing to lose at this point.

 

Awesome thanks for the info guys. I see Rock auto has a reman box done by LARES which I found out is rebuilt close to me in Cambridge MN. They say they replace all bearings and bushings and seals with OEM parts and the box is centered and adjusted. They also like redhead will void the warranty if the box is adjusted. Rock auto has this box for $106.00. I contacted the company and it sounds like they do a good job on the rebuilds. They also have a great website detailing their process on the rebuilds.

 

That is good to know alot less expensive than Red head.

 

I am ordering one today I will post back and let ya know how it works..

 

I wouldn't buy a Redhead.....................all hype.