Tips and tricks for steering box replacement?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
Many praise the Redhead. Unfortunately my budget was unable to absorb the cost from other recent buck$zooka purchases. I went with an A-1 Cardone reman unit (I don't think you can get them new any more). I've been very happy with it and it was about 1/3 the price. When this one dies I will hopefully be able to get a Redhead.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
Great point! I completely forgot to mention that. I used my seatbelt to hold the wheel in place so I didn't mess up the clockspring.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
No. Never tested homemade concoctions... just formally sold goods from manufacturers, primarily obtained on sales calls as a comparison of "theirs" versus "ours". I would often swap the potential customer two cans of ours for one of theirs and then could test the "other guy's" stuff both at home and on our friction testing machines for later demonstrations.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
I never thought of that however my key was out and column locked
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: OKC
Many praise the Redhead. Unfortunately my budget was unable to absorb the cost from other recent buck$zooka purchases. I went with an A-1 Cardone reman unit (I don't think you can get them new any more). I've been very happy with it and it was about 1/3 the price. When this one dies I will hopefully be able to get a Redhead.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
The clockspring is a spring winding. It is the connection between all of the electronic stuff on the steering wheel (radio, cruise control, airbag sensor, etc.). If it winds too tight it breaks. If it's too loose then it could become misaligned...and breaks. Keeping the wheel straight so that you can line up the gearbox when it's straight will keep the clockspring aligned so that it doesn't potentially break or get damaged.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 10
From: Minnesota
The reason you want to loop the seat belt through the steering wheel with the column UNlocked is so that you have the play necessary to get the splines to line up when reinstalling the steering shaft. UNlocked gives you movement you very much need. Seat belt keeps the wheel from going all exersist on you.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 1,340
From: Bahstun
yes it works very well and just as good as PBBlaster does IMO
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: OKC
The reason you want to loop the seat belt through the steering wheel with the column UNlocked is so that you have the play necessary to get the splines to line up when reinstalling the steering shaft. UNlocked gives you movement you very much need. Seat belt keeps the wheel from going all exersist on you.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: OKC
You can get the box out with the pitman arm still on no problem. I realize now that I didn't mention it earlier but I had my gearbox in a vise when I pulled the arm off. Not enough leverage with it in the truck and I was afraid of what I might damage if something let go or I slipped (including me). I clamped it in a vise when I used the puller to get the arm off.
I had to let it sit overnight to get all of the ATF out of it before shipping it back as the core. If your gear isn't too shot you should be able to move it with your hand. Repeatedly going lock to lock will help expedite the fluid draining process.
I had to let it sit overnight to get all of the ATF out of it before shipping it back as the core. If your gear isn't too shot you should be able to move it with your hand. Repeatedly going lock to lock will help expedite the fluid draining process.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 10
From: Minnesota
pretty sure mine was 1 & 5/16" It took some effort to get loose, my electric impact wouldn't touch it. breaking bar, extension pipe, and a piece of square tubing over the Pittman arm to hold it worked for me.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: OKC
Ok thanks, installing it tomorrow morning. Stay tuned.