readhead steering boxes
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 2
From: Fallon NV
Well the new box and all the new tie rods did not change anything I can see. The shop said the truck is as good as a 30 yo truck can get. there was slop in the steering when they were new. I told them people say the redhead removes the slop. he seems to think the rebuilt boxes have alll new parts and I say the gear that the ball runs through is not new and just reused. The redhead uses different ***** to remove the slop. Am I wrong?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170
Likes: 1,331
From: Bahstun
Well the new box and all the new tie rods did not change anything I can see. The shop said the truck is as good as a 30 yo truck can get. there was slop in the steering when they were new. I told them people say the redhead removes the slop. he seems to think the rebuilt boxes have alll new parts and I say the gear that the ball runs through is not new and just reused. The redhead uses different ***** to remove the slop. Am I wrong?
I never had one apart to know but keep reading on how many love them
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 2
From: Fallon NV
Not the rag joint on my truck. its tight as can bee, The shop even tested the shaft.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Cary, NC
I'd like to subscribe to this thread. My truck is terrible too, so I'm thinking of just starting to replace all the steering components a little at a time. I did tie rods, drag link, and tightened all the bolts I could find and I still have 5 inches of dead wheel, and the truck tracks poorly. As you said, no good when you have a trailer behind you. You would think if the steering box is new, and the shaft is tight, that should at least address the dead space in the wheel.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 2
From: Fallon NV
Something i learned yesterday talking to a rep at redhead is the box has to be centered or there will always be slop. the adjustments to remove slop are all made at the center point, anything off center will have play. We just don't feel it as we are turning. mine turns about 1/8 a turn or about 6'' more to one side. I don't know if that makes any difference. The truck came back from the shop with about 1 inch of play now.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,266
Likes: 1,649
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
You can always adjust your steering box, most alignment shops don't do this because if you over do it your trucks tires will track and become really dangerous, you can adjust it by turning the adjuster Allen screw 1/4 of a turn drive and do drive it and adjust till you get the slop out.
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New User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I have a '96 F250 with over 330K miles that had steering almost worse than a '67 Mustang a family member of mine has. I had to keep the steering wheel on the truck at about the 1 o'clock position to keep it going straight, had serious slop, and had a really neat tendency to randomly wander in long sweeping turns on the freeway. I replaced the box with a Redhead, and it has been wonderful since. Brought a smile to my face on the very first turn I made after I installed it. Money well spent.
The Redhead shop is only about 25 mins from my place, so I paid them a visit when I went to pick mine up. They seem like a good outfit.
The Redhead shop is only about 25 mins from my place, so I paid them a visit when I went to pick mine up. They seem like a good outfit.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: New Milford, CT
How much are these redhead boxes? My steering also has about an inch to two of dead space but I've grown used to it.
Also I never really directly looked but I feel like my 97 doesn't have a rag joint. I feel I would of noticed it if it did. What years had them?
Also I never really directly looked but I feel like my 97 doesn't have a rag joint. I feel I would of noticed it if it did. What years had them?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 21
From: Aransas Pass, Tx
Mine has one. I *think* the only way you don't have one is if someone went in and replaced it with a u joint or something.
The joint is under a little plastic cover just above the steering box. I bet you just never lifted that plastic cover to see it.
The joint is under a little plastic cover just above the steering box. I bet you just never lifted that plastic cover to see it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 16
From: Ideeho
Google Readhead steering.....they have a website with application and prices.......
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170
Likes: 1,331
From: Bahstun