Steering Box replacement need Pump?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: California
Steering Box replacement need Pump?
Hello All,
I'm finally getting tired of all the slop in steering my Ex is giving me and I am looking at getting the Steering Gear Box replaced. My question is, should I also get the power steering pump replaced? What do you all recommend? Not sure if going with a Red-Head or other is best. Any advice is welcomed.
I'm finally getting tired of all the slop in steering my Ex is giving me and I am looking at getting the Steering Gear Box replaced. My question is, should I also get the power steering pump replaced? What do you all recommend? Not sure if going with a Red-Head or other is best. Any advice is welcomed.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Why do you want to replace the pump? What problems are you having that make you want to replace the pump?
Stewart
Stewart
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: California
Hey Stewart, no problems. Just a preventative maintenance thing I guess. Would a new steering box put stress on the original pump and cause it to fail sooner then with the old sloppy steering box?
Junior User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
I wouldn't worry about replacing the pump. But a word of advice is to get a new pitman arm. You will play hell trying to get your old one off. Redhead is good but I opted with Advanced Auto parts because of my small budget. Seems to work great after about 9 months.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: California
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I figured as much, but I hate assuming. 
Unless you have money to burn, don't bother burning money on a new pump until it's needed.
The new box won't affect your old pump adversely.
Red Head units are good, but there seems to be a higher failure rate when purchased via a Group Buy. Anecdotal evidence only, so don't take that as gospel.
Not for nothing, but I have a Red Head on my Excursion and I honestly couldn't tell a lick of difference between the new Red Head and the old Ford unit it replaced.
The one on my lifted F250 with 37's was replaced with a stock OEM unit from Ford and it's working just as well as the Red Head on the Ex with stock tires.
Stewart
Unless you have money to burn, don't bother burning money on a new pump until it's needed.
The new box won't affect your old pump adversely.Red Head units are good, but there seems to be a higher failure rate when purchased via a Group Buy. Anecdotal evidence only, so don't take that as gospel.
Not for nothing, but I have a Red Head on my Excursion and I honestly couldn't tell a lick of difference between the new Red Head and the old Ford unit it replaced.
The one on my lifted F250 with 37's was replaced with a stock OEM unit from Ford and it's working just as well as the Red Head on the Ex with stock tires.
Stewart
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: California
I figured as much, but I hate assuming.
Unless you have money to burn, don't bother burning money on a new pump until it's needed. The new box won't affect your old pump adversely.
Red Head units are good, but there seems to be a higher failure rate when purchased via a Group Buy. Anecdotal evidence only, so don't take that as gospel.
Not for nothing, but I have a Red Head on my Excursion and I honestly couldn't tell a lick of difference between the new Red Head and the old Ford unit it replaced.
The one on my lifted F250 with 37's was replaced with a stock OEM unit from Ford and it's working just as well as the Red Head on the Ex with stock tires.
Stewart
Unless you have money to burn, don't bother burning money on a new pump until it's needed.
The new box won't affect your old pump adversely.Red Head units are good, but there seems to be a higher failure rate when purchased via a Group Buy. Anecdotal evidence only, so don't take that as gospel.
Not for nothing, but I have a Red Head on my Excursion and I honestly couldn't tell a lick of difference between the new Red Head and the old Ford unit it replaced.
The one on my lifted F250 with 37's was replaced with a stock OEM unit from Ford and it's working just as well as the Red Head on the Ex with stock tires.
Stewart
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 125
Likes: 10
From: Chicago
I just did the same thing over Memorial weekend. I replaced my original 17 y/o gearbox and power steering pump and all the rusted lines with a red head, ford reman power steering pump and new gates lines and a magnafine inline filter. I love the gearbox, the steering is as good as my Honda Oddysey mini van. The reman motorcraft power steering pumpsqueels more than the 17 y/o original. I'm considering putting the original back on because it only squealed at full lock, the reman squeals all the way through.
On a side note, I did some creative work arounds that I will do a write up about specific to the v10 with vacuum brakes for the steering gear and ps pump and lines replacement job I just did. I make some time to write that up soon.
On a side note, I did some creative work arounds that I will do a write up about specific to the v10 with vacuum brakes for the steering gear and ps pump and lines replacement job I just did. I make some time to write that up soon.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: California
I just did the same thing over Memorial weekend. I replaced my original 17 y/o gearbox and power steering pump and all the rusted lines with a red head, ford reman power steering pump and new gates lines and a magnafine inline filter. I love the gearbox, the steering is as good as my Honda Oddysey mini van. The reman motorcraft power steering pumpsqueels more than the 17 y/o original. I'm considering putting the original back on because it only squealed at full lock, the reman squeals all the way through.
On a side note, I did some creative work arounds that I will do a write up about specific to the v10 with vacuum brakes for the steering gear and ps pump and lines replacement job I just did. I make some time to write that up soon.
On a side note, I did some creative work arounds that I will do a write up about specific to the v10 with vacuum brakes for the steering gear and ps pump and lines replacement job I just did. I make some time to write that up soon.
That's great to hear, will be looking forward to your write up. What made you decide to change out the pump? I'll check in to the magnafin inline filter. Is this to prolong the life of the pump or just to catch any debris that could have made itself into the lines?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 125
Likes: 10
From: Chicago
I did it as preventative maintenance really. I was already draining all the fluid and changing all the lines between the reservoir, pump, steering gear, and cooler so I figured why not change the pump too and throw on a new serpentine belt too. The only thing I didn't change was the power steering cooler because it seemed like it was in good shape. I put the inline filter to catch anything that might still be flowing around in the cooler and to cut down on wear n tear of the new parts.
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