Steering Gear Recommendations
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
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From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
Steering Gear Recommendations
Hey All,
I was looking for opinions or sources for steering gear. I've got a 76 F250 with manual steering, and I was looking to replace the box at some point. It's not completely busted yet, but it's worn out.
Redhead Steering gear has a good reputation, and I have the joy of saving on shipping since they're 2 hrs south of me. But by god they want $450. And LMC isn't much better, at $430.
So, for those of you have had to drop the money on a gear, what did you go with? And how did you like it?
Thanks
Jameson
I was looking for opinions or sources for steering gear. I've got a 76 F250 with manual steering, and I was looking to replace the box at some point. It's not completely busted yet, but it's worn out.
Redhead Steering gear has a good reputation, and I have the joy of saving on shipping since they're 2 hrs south of me. But by god they want $450. And LMC isn't much better, at $430.
So, for those of you have had to drop the money on a gear, what did you go with? And how did you like it?
Thanks
Jameson
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,172
Likes: 5,789
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
I have not spent the $ yet, but when the day comes that I need a new steering box I am going that route. I have heard nothing but great things about Redheads products. Waste of time and money getting a parts house repaint/reseal one.
Yes that a lot of $, but 100% tight steering is priceless IMO. Remember to factor in some play from worn ball joints, tie rod ends, rag/flex joint (F150), steering shaft with u joint (F250). Ck out Borgeson for that part.
Yes that a lot of $, but 100% tight steering is priceless IMO. Remember to factor in some play from worn ball joints, tie rod ends, rag/flex joint (F150), steering shaft with u joint (F250). Ck out Borgeson for that part.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,172
Likes: 5,789
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 48
From: Great American SouthWest
I'm a RedHead and I've given my wife all kinds of problems!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
I heard back from Ryan at Blue Top Steering. Here is the pricing breakdown;
"The price is $225 on the rebuild with no extra parts. If a worm needs to be replaced it can add approx another $100 and same with roller for output shaft which can be another $100. It seems to be typical that we replace at least one piece and sometimes both. It all depends on how rough the turning is, some pitting can be left alone in the worm surface if it isn't on center but if bearing surface is shot then we have to replace that part."
Which also goes to answer my question of why these boxes are consistently expensive. I couldn't figure out why a rebuilt manual box would cost almost twice as much as the power steering units where they machine a seat for an additional bearing. Does the gearing in a PS box not typically wear out to the point of needing replacement?
-Jameson
"The price is $225 on the rebuild with no extra parts. If a worm needs to be replaced it can add approx another $100 and same with roller for output shaft which can be another $100. It seems to be typical that we replace at least one piece and sometimes both. It all depends on how rough the turning is, some pitting can be left alone in the worm surface if it isn't on center but if bearing surface is shot then we have to replace that part."
Which also goes to answer my question of why these boxes are consistently expensive. I couldn't figure out why a rebuilt manual box would cost almost twice as much as the power steering units where they machine a seat for an additional bearing. Does the gearing in a PS box not typically wear out to the point of needing replacement?
-Jameson
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
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I did a lot of digging when it was time for me to change out my severely leaking ps gearbox. I decided on the Redhead since there wasn't a lot of price difference between them and others. The Redhead warranty is what sold me. I payed with Paypal credit. 6 months no payments
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,058
Likes: 594
I finished installing a Red-Head today, and WOW! I'm impressed. The engine is half torn down, so I can't road test it. But after no power bleeding as per instructions, it's bubble free. I'll let it sit til morning then turn the pulley with a drill to finish up. With old steering gear, which wasn't too sloppy, I could grab the shaft and turn it about 30 degrees. Now it turns less than my new Jeep, old Jeep, Dodge 3/4 ton, and new F150. And it's a 4 turn box. We'll see how it steers when the truck is back together...
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