Steering gear adjustment.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 292
Likes: 2
From: Southern Maine
Go through the top. Remove the air filter and the Intercooler Hose and you should have a pretty good shot at it.
I'll tell you right now I was in your same boat a short time ago and it wasn't long before I had a redheaded steering gearbox on my front door step
I'll tell you right now I was in your same boat a short time ago and it wasn't long before I had a redheaded steering gearbox on my front door step
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
The pinion and sector gear wear in the center where it rides most of the time and becomes loose, but off center it is still tight. If you tighten the adjustment screw it will fix the center but it will be too tight and bind everywhere else. You can give it a 1/4 turn and see if it helps but I wouldn't do any more than that.
Like ultrasks said, Redhead is the real fix.
Like ultrasks said, Redhead is the real fix.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Greenville, SC
I just adjusted mine last week. I found it easiest to access from the bottom.
Mine's a Red Head that I installed about 3 years ago. Hex key is 3/16", 11/16" stub wrench fit the lock nut and 5/8" fits the bottom nut.
On mine, between an 1/8 and 1/4 of a turn was enough.
I've got about 25K miles on the Red Head and in my experience once you begin the adjusting the gear, it's on its way out.
I personally wouldn't shell out the dough for another Red Head, considering the price and the fact that I'm already adjusting it.
I've heard people satisfied with the Napa product.
Good luck.
Mine's a Red Head that I installed about 3 years ago. Hex key is 3/16", 11/16" stub wrench fit the lock nut and 5/8" fits the bottom nut.
On mine, between an 1/8 and 1/4 of a turn was enough.
I've got about 25K miles on the Red Head and in my experience once you begin the adjusting the gear, it's on its way out.
I personally wouldn't shell out the dough for another Red Head, considering the price and the fact that I'm already adjusting it.
I've heard people satisfied with the Napa product.
Good luck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
If it needs adjusting it needs replacement. Once you have one lock up in a turn you'll never screw with adjusting one again. Ask me how I know!
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
The pinion and sector gear wear in the center where it rides most of the time and becomes loose, but off center it is still tight. If you tighten the adjustment screw it will fix the center but it will be too tight and bind everywhere else. You can give it a 1/4 turn and see if it helps but I wouldn't do any more than that.
Like ultrasks said, Redhead is the real fix.
Like ultrasks said, Redhead is the real fix.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Greenville, SC
I guess my Red Head is done then. I just looked thru my maintenance log and I misspoke in my earlier post. I actually got just a bit over 30k miles from the Red Head gear, as opposed to the 25k stated. (I felt the need to clarify. Would't want anyone to think i'm harshing Red Head or anything like that).
But anyway, I'm probably the only person at FTE who's less than impressed with the Red Head product. Win some, lose some.
Apologies to the OP for the thread hijack.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
That would definitely not be fun.
I guess my Red Head is done then. I just looked thru my maintenance log and I misspoke in my earlier post. I actually got just a bit over 30k miles from the Red Head gear, as opposed to the 25k stated. (I felt the need to clarify. Would't want anyone to think i'm harshing Red Head or anything like that).
But anyway, I'm probably the only person at FTE who's less than impressed with the Red Head product. Win some, lose some.
Apologies to the OP for the thread hijack.
I guess my Red Head is done then. I just looked thru my maintenance log and I misspoke in my earlier post. I actually got just a bit over 30k miles from the Red Head gear, as opposed to the 25k stated. (I felt the need to clarify. Would't want anyone to think i'm harshing Red Head or anything like that).
But anyway, I'm probably the only person at FTE who's less than impressed with the Red Head product. Win some, lose some.
Apologies to the OP for the thread hijack.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Greenville, SC
You are right. They probably would work a deal with me, but even if it were 30% off, that's still 70% on and i forsee some HVAC expenditures in my near future so right now i'm gonna just drive it as is and hang tight. It's not that bad now it's adjusted a bit. I suppose I just figured this wouldnt come up again quite as soon.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Greenville, SC
I'm going to replace the red head with a motorcraft.
I emailed Red Head asking them about adjusting the unit and they said that while they don't recommend it, not to go more than about 1/8th turn and if it doesn't rebound from turn it's too tight.
They also noted that my unit was well out of warranty, which I knew ahead of contacting them. I will still say I thought the service life of the Red Head would have been better.