Red Head steering issues
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Red Head steering issues
As the title states has anyone else had issues with red head steering. I replaced my steering gear almost 2 years ago along with ball joints and a few other wear items and it improved things significantly but never seemed perfect and due to a few deadlines it had to do. I have maybe gone maybe 13,??? miles on the new steering gear because my Excursion was parked for a year while I was out of the country yet I can turn the steering wheel either way a good bit (haven't had a chance to actually measure yet) before the tires begin to turn. I want to go to a new OEM box but they are so expensive but don't know of many alternatives. Has anyone had luck with another source?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
have you verified it is the steering gear and not something else that is worn out in the steering system ?
with only 13k on a rebuilt steering gear it seems unlikely to be the box.
if it were mine I would check the intermediate steering shaft, pitman arm, drag link, and track bar bushings, if or when all those check out ok i would contact red head and see about having them rebuild the box.
fwiw, ford doesn't offer a new steering gear, they sell rebuilt ones. ( redheads are also rebuilt ford units )
with only 13k on a rebuilt steering gear it seems unlikely to be the box.
if it were mine I would check the intermediate steering shaft, pitman arm, drag link, and track bar bushings, if or when all those check out ok i would contact red head and see about having them rebuild the box.
fwiw, ford doesn't offer a new steering gear, they sell rebuilt ones. ( redheads are also rebuilt ford units )
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,072
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From: Dustbowl, NV
It'd be wise to check over everything mentioned before just throwing another box at it. If the Redhead didn't fix all your problems before, the odds are there was another issue before that's still a problem!
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I checked all steering components before I posted. I never measured exact play but everything was verified with the engine off, hood open and or me under the vehicle watching while my wife turned the wheel. When turning the wheel it takes approximately 2 inches before the pitman arm will move after the steering wheel is turned. I have verified that the steering shaft and wheel move as one and had no extra play.
I am not blaming red head as any company can have a bad product miss inspection every now and then but I am curious if anyone else has had trouble because there are other older posts discussing it.
I am not blaming red head as any company can have a bad product miss inspection every now and then but I am curious if anyone else has had trouble because there are other older posts discussing it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
sounds like you have already done the research if you have read other post about people discussing it so rather then rehash that I'd say give redhead a call an discuss with them the next step.
there is a ford factory method of adjusting the backlash on these boxes and it is not "turn the adjusting screw a little bit and see how it feels" but I would check with talk to redhead before jumping to setting the back lash via Ford's method.
there is a ford factory method of adjusting the backlash on these boxes and it is not "turn the adjusting screw a little bit and see how it feels" but I would check with talk to redhead before jumping to setting the back lash via Ford's method.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,263
Likes: 149
From: In the field...
sounds like you have already done the research if you have read other post about people discussing it so rather then rehash that I'd say give redhead a call an discuss with them the next step.
there is a ford factory method of adjusting the backlash on these boxes and it is not "turn the adjusting screw a little bit and see how it feels" but I would check with talk to redhead before jumping to setting the back lash via Ford's method.
there is a ford factory method of adjusting the backlash on these boxes and it is not "turn the adjusting screw a little bit and see how it feels" but I would check with talk to redhead before jumping to setting the back lash via Ford's method.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs, CO
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
At least you got 2 years out of yours, mine lasted a couple months at best.
I went back to oem.
I went back to oem.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2016
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I just bought one of these Red Head steering gears for my truck. Installed it and all new hoses and pump. Filled and immediately fluid began leaking out of a crack in the red cap. Wasn't visible due to the fresh red paint or what ever it is. Circular crack right around the adjustment screw. Don't know whether it happened in transit or just missed during production. I had to send it back and get another locally. Refund was processed immediately and no issues. I sure wish it had worked out well.
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