Its time to replace the steering box 2001 F350, been looking, reading & hoping to find a youtube video but no luck. For tools looks like a pittman arm puller and steering link puller, PS hoses and it's bolted to the frame.

Was hoping to learn about disconnecting and connecting the steering wheel shaft, getting the steering wheel centered and a question on what is needed to prime with fluid?

I feel this is a job I can tackle but looking for a little guidance, tips and tricks.

Thanks

 

I just did mine few months ago. Removing the steering box is easy. Consider getting Haynes book for your truck. Here is a run down only on the parts you are looking for guidance on.


To disconnect the steering shaft, you will kind of lift the black plastic shield out of the way from the steering box end. Remove the bolt that clamps the part onto the steering box. Its kind of like the handle bar on a bicycle. It was easy to disconnect the steering shaft as I thought it would be a real pain to disconnect it. The steering shaft is not one solid bar, it slides into another shaft, which makes it easy to get it out of the way. You will not do anything on the other end of the steering shaft, just on the steering box end.


To take the pitman arm off, rent the tool from Auto Zone or whatever. To buy that tool, it cost like 90 dollars. Its free to rent it from Auto Zone and it needs to be a big one. Here is how I took it off. First, remove the steering box with the pitman arm still attached to it. Put the tool over it and tight the bolt. Hit it with a big hammer and tight the bolt again. Repeat the process until the pitman arm pops off. I was thinking about using the impact wrench to force it off, but the instructions says not to do that.


You don't need to prime it. Just put the fluid in and start it. Top off as you need to.



If I remember correctly, the pitman arm can only be installed in certain way. You will not be able to get the center messed up. Just remember which side is up and which side is down. After you reinstall the pitman arm, then reinstall the steer box. Once it is on, make sure the pitman arm is pointed center and your steer wheel is center, then reattach the steering shaft. After it is all put back together and you take it out for drive and you notice the steering is not straight even though the truck drives straight then you can adjust that on the steer box and steer shaft end by disconnecting it and reconnecting it.

 

Thanks for the reply! I did see the plastic shield where the steering rod connects. I am going to give this a go in the next week or so.

 

Just did mine. It's easier than it looks and takes more time than skill. Pulling the pitman arm off the gearbox was the hardest part. I used a puller and was really leaning on the breaker bar, heard a small *pop*, and it was off. It would have been a challenge without the puller.

Everything I learned and used is in these write-ups. Between these two it covered everything I had to do or ran into:


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...installed.html


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-dummies.html


I decided against a RedHead after reading some of the more recent posts and saved a few bucks and got one from A1 Cardone and I'm very happy so far. It is night and day and drives better now than it every has since I bought it over 7 years ago.

 

Run your seat belt thru the steering wheel, or otherwise secure the wheel, so that the steering wheel doesn't go around-and-around, messing up the clock spring.

 

I need to replace mine too... it has a good amount of play in it.. I know I can get the cardone gear locally. the redhead gear is about a month out?.?so they said when I called. Any horror stories with the cardone or redhead that we need to be made aware of?

 

I decided to go with the cardone from advance auto $90 shipped after $40 coupon. Local stores don't stock but will take core. some good some bad reviews

 

I've only had mine in for a week but it installed perfectly and it's been great so far. I've had my truck for over 7 years and it's the best it's every handled. The loose play and huge dead spot is all but gone now.

 

I had mine replaced in my 00 Excursion, I used an Advance Auto parts Cardone gearbox. I sold it a year later and 30,000 miles on it with zero issues.

I just bought a new pitman arm, they do wear out over time.

 

thanks for the "how to" links! Steering box arrived, installed and flushed fluid. Steering is much better.

 

No problem. Glad to hear it and that everything went well!

 

Thanks for the "how to" I need to replace mine. Cant get my steering wheel straight because of the play.

 

The play can be adjusted with the screw on the box.
Loosen the nut while holding the screw with a large screw driver, you need to back that nut off quite a bit, then turn the screw in , clockwise gently , until it is snug.
Then tighten the nut , while holding the same screw.

 

Can play be adjusted on an existing/OEM box this way?

 

Yes it can. Be careful to not overtighten the screw.

The adjustment screw will help extend the life of the steering gearbox but, if you are adjusting it, it is only a matter of time until you will need to replace it.

My A1 Cardone gearbox lasted me a little over a year. I went with a Blue-Top steering gearbox after that and never looked back.