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OEM or Redhead
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Don't get me going 
It was a piece of chit from the start and total fail within weeks!
Purchased an OEM great from the start, no more drama.
Previous Ex, did the adjustment and that worked out fine.
It was a piece of chit from the start and total fail within weeks!
Purchased an OEM great from the start, no more drama.
Previous Ex, did the adjustment and that worked out fine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Wow, I saw your post Sean and wondered why you were linking to another site for steering box adjustment when I've posted it over a hundred thousand times here on the forum (I just counted each post and it was actually 100,001 times to be exact... 
) and have also posted a link to the instructions in the tech folder, when upon further investigation I realized there isn't a link in the tech folder!
What the heck...how could THAT have fallen in the cracks?
Oh well....rectified!
Stewart
) and have also posted a link to the instructions in the tech folder, when upon further investigation I realized there isn't a link in the tech folder!What the heck...how could THAT have fallen in the cracks?
Oh well....rectified!
Stewart
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,595
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 48
Elder User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 547
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
I went RedHead during the group buy and have been happy. I did try adjusting the original one and screwed it up so if you try that listen to LivingLarge and go 1/4 turn and drive it a bit. I think if I would have gone that route I wouldn't have messed up my original.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor fl
Give me a minute, Looking for that link...(or set of threads covering the topic).
http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...les/042601.pdf See section on Steering gear mesh load adjustment. 1/4 turn, then tighten and drive re-test as Michael recommends. Not implying you have oscillations, but the step by step instruction is described there.
That's a great observation Stewart.
http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...les/042601.pdf See section on Steering gear mesh load adjustment. 1/4 turn, then tighten and drive re-test as Michael recommends. Not implying you have oscillations, but the step by step instruction is described there.
That's a great observation Stewart.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 300
Likes: 6
From: Tampa
Went OEM w new sway bar bushing, hubs, track bar bushings, brakes/lines. The box alone wouldn't have fixed the issues I had but with it all together it drives so much nicer. I don't have the veins popping out of my forearms anymore trying to steady it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
I went OEM because it was covered under an extended warranty. I have no complaints. If steering performance is what you seek to improve, beyond the obvious parts already suggested, deal with the rear. The rear steer on the bugger was my biggest issue. When you put on a new steering gear, it will still wander. The steering will be more sensitive which can be even more frustrating trying to delicately correct for the wander...at least that was my experience. Hellwig Anti-sway bar, radius rods and roadmaster active suspension fixed me. Some change to different code swings..point is, if it wandered before, the new steering gear won't make it a lot better.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
I went reman OEM. Reason being, the remans seem to have fixed the issue that wears out on the factory part. I guess instead of running the pinion shaft in a machined cast bore, the remans bush the bore for extended life. That was good enough for me. Plus the fact that a mechanic friend had some bad aftermarket parts to replace after not so many miles. Extra money for fancy paint is no way to live.
FTE Remembers
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
copy paste direct from Fords website
"Gear housing that does not meet stringent inspection standards is replaced with new original equipment gear housing – no sleeved gear housings are used"
https://www.fordparts.com/Products/S...Gearboxes.aspx
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Our plow truck has an OEM box that was installed the same time the plow was put on.
It has been a good box however within the first couple years the top cover cracked in half where the adjustment stud and nut are. I replaced just the cover and no problems since.
A guy could get a bad box from anywhere. I am sure if there were group buys from OEM there would be a few bad apples as well. How easy and painless the exchange after that makes a difference for some.
It has been a good box however within the first couple years the top cover cracked in half where the adjustment stud and nut are. I replaced just the cover and no problems since.
A guy could get a bad box from anywhere. I am sure if there were group buys from OEM there would be a few bad apples as well. How easy and painless the exchange after that makes a difference for some.