Loose redhead steering box
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From: Chaplin
Loose redhead steering box
I had a problem with my steering box being extremely loose so I swapped in a redhead unit along with doing a dana 60 swap with all new components. After about 9 months the redhead box was almost as bad as the POS store brand so I ended up getting a replacement under warranty. I now have MAYBE 2000 miles on this new box and I already have a 3-4 inch dead spot in my steering. The box was tight when I got it but over time the turning effort became easier and the dead spot got bigger. I've never heard of this problem with redhead and I find it hard to believe I got two bad units in a row. I can't move the adjustment screw because it will void the warranty, so that's out. Is there some kind of steering box brace similar to the one for dodge trucks I can use?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
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From: Madison, WI
You're sure it's not anything else? Inner/outer tie rods, pitman, column/shaft? Our Redhead box has been flawless. Only problem was, we put a Flaming River shaft on at the same time, and one of the u-joints had slop in it. They sent out a replacement. Later, one of the set screws for the u-joint worked loose, but it's been fine since I tightened it. Anything like that will create a dead spot feeling in the steering.
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From: Chaplin
I'm starting to go over things to make sure something isn't worn but I doubt I will find anything. The entire front end is rebuilt with dana/spicer and moog parts and only has about 10,000 miles on it. I also installed a borgeson steering shaft as I thought that was some of the problem. Only thing I haven't tried is a steering stabilizer. Also I've had someone in the truck moving the steering wheel in the dead area while i was under the truck and the sector shaft doesn't move. I loved both boxes when I installed them but something is causing them to lose adjustment over time. I don't off road with it and I'm only 8 miles from work so it doesn't get abused, I'm at a loss.
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
I once got very loose steering, it ended up being the steering box becoming loose. Check all 3 bolts holding the box to the frame, see that none of the fat washers have cracked/broke.
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From: Chaplin
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From: Chaplin
Got a little sidetracked but finished going through everything and the box is bolted down tight along with everything else. Even had the front end aligned at which point the tech tells me that my steering box is loose and I might want to look into replacing it......tell me something I don't already know. Jacked up the truck and had my wife wiggle the wheel in the dead spot and I have zero movement at the sector shaft. Going to call redhead and ask what gives, also have been seeing a few threads over the last couple of years regarding leaking boxes and tight/loose steering. Maybe I'm not alone.
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From: Chaplin
Yes, like I mentioned in an earlier post I had swapped the original steering shaft for a brand new one from borgeson. Literally everything in the front end from the steering wheel out to the wheel bearings has been replaced within the last 18 months. At most I have 15,000 miles on all of these parts
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From: Chaplin
Sorry for not updating, life has been crazy lately. I've was playing phone tag with redhead but then I got sidetracked with other projects. I gave them some background and they were going to warranty it but I did some checking and I'm starting to think my power steering pump isn't putting out enough pressure when the RPMs are low. I'm going to dig further into the pump to see if I'm right before I do a 3rd steering gear swap.
Laughing Gas
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Sorry for not updating, life has been crazy lately. I've was playing phone tag with redhead but then I got sidetracked with other projects. I gave them some background and they were going to warranty it but I did some checking and I'm starting to think my power steering pump isn't putting out enough pressure when the RPMs are low. I'm going to dig further into the pump to see if I'm right before I do a 3rd steering gear swap.
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From: Chaplin
Hey guys just figured I'd give you an update. So after putting in 2 store brand steering boxes and now on my 2nd redhead I came to the conclusion that I do not want to install a 5th, warranty or not. So I decided to be the ******* guinea pig and void my warranty by moving the adjusting nut. It drove great for about 3 days but now that damn slop is back in the wheel which is what every box has done that I've put in. I emailed redhead again asking if they have any idea why it would do this, just waiting on a reply. If they don't have a good answer I'm going to look into taking drastic measures and fabbing a different steering box in.
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