I'm on my 3 box, stock box was junk bought a cardon rebuild i think it was , better but sloppy, rebuild ford box that is way worse. I'm trying to get the shop to return it for a refund as I just don't believe there is a rebuilt box that will not have slop except maybe the redhead box. Redhead says they machine for a larger ball and that takes out the slop but I have seen videos on redhead boxes with the slop too. who has put in a redhead box ? everything in my steering is new. from the steering wheel all the way down.

 

Hi Mike. I am by no means an expert on this subject, and I'm curious to hear about the Redhead Box too, so certainly hope for some dialogue here. However I thought I'd offer up my experience taking a different route to address sloppy steering. Based on a lot of reading here I tried a different after-market tie rod setup on my truck. It uses a straight tie rod, GM-style tie rod ends, and pivot-style bushing between the drag link and tie rod. This pivot-style bushing (for lack of a more technical term) between the drag link and tie rod seems to be the key design change as it eliminates one of the ball-joint style connections, which seem to be prone to a bit of roll before all the slack is taken up. The supplier I used is called Carrick Customs, but I assume there are others out there. I think Carrick's product is solid, and his service was good for me. That, plus new ball joints and alignment helped my truck tremendously. Drives much tighter than my old F150 for comparison with all brand new bushings and factory style tie rod ends on the TTB. It's still a little more loose than I would like, but I think it's as tight as I can get it without actually changing the gear ratio in the box. I have to move the wheel farther than I would like to get movement, but for every bit of steering wheel movement I can tell I am getting left-right movement going down the road, whereas before there was a scary dead spot. Good luck with this issue.

 

The guys over on the dentside section swear by redhead, saying they are the box to replace all others. I have no firsthand experience with them but from the reactions I have seen, any negative results from them were quickly remedied with a new, non defective, box with no problem. If I ever need to replace any steering box in any of my vehicles, I will save up to get a redhead instead of bandaiding it with a lower quality box.

 

thanks for the tip. I put in a new but china made unit. it is solid but i dont like the roll it does so i will likely upgrade that too. Sold out right now..

 

You can also try

Off-Road Fabrication Parts - RuffStuff Specialties

I looked at some of there tough for making some suspension parts. Ultimately I changed the plan to use local parts if I need a repair.

 

I don't have any answers but rather another question. This thread is about steering so I didn't want to start a new thread for this. I am having issues with the steering on my 96 f250 it is turning to the left nice and smooth like it should but when I turn to the right its like I have no power steering. Is it possible for the power steering pump to quit working only in the one direction. Any help is very appreciated.

 

The seals in the steering box are shot. You either need to rebuild your box, or replace it. I have had good luck with the steering boxes from NAPA, and they come with a lifetime warrantee.

 

Some guy is trying to do a group buy in the 99-03 7.3 Powerstroke section check it out.

 

I've had my same RedHead box in my obs idit and my obs psd. Over 35k miles combined. Not a single issue and my steering is as tight as a new vehicle. It's really surprising how well an old truck like this steers with new components and a good box. I went through an Autozone unit that lasted about 1k miles. It had a lifetime warranty that was useless to me. I also have a Borgeson steering shaft in my idit I didn't swap it over to my psd yet because it handles so well. They help take any slip out of the rag joint or splines in the factory steering shaft.

Borgeson 000981 Steering Shaft https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A64HW2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZD0pzbAAW223P

 

I have a redhead steering box in my Bullnose along with everything else steering related being replaced (including the steering shaft with a Borgeson) and that thing drives way better than a 30 year old pickup should. My OBS also steers well, but nothing like the Bullnose after all that work!

 

Is that shaft a bolt on deal or is there modifications needed?

 

Steering shaft replaces the rag Joint. It bolt on but some have to cut to right length


here is one I was looking at for mine
Borgeson 000981 Steering Shaft, Telescopic, Steel, 1992-1996 Ford 4x4 Trucks | eBay

 

I didn't cut mine but it should have been. I have one for sale if you really want one haha.

 

I put a Redhead in my '97 F-Superduty Quigley conversion..............Made a world of difference in how it drives.......drives better than my '96 F350 ever has and I bought the '96 new off the showroom.......Yeah a Redhead may cost a few bucks more but......I put a rebuilt from O'reileys in my '78 F150 and it was sloppier than the one it replaced.....so it was just money wasted in my opinion

 

The shop I'm using really wants to use napa parts due to if the part is not good he does not have to pay shipping fees, and replacements are 1 day. I understand that but he knows I will reject everything that is not tight. The brought up the new tie rods I put in and said they were junk. Likely they are but under 3000 miles. I told him to replace everything that has to do with the steering so there is no reason to say this or that is at fault. I had to drive this truck 700 miles towing 10k in 40 to 60 MPH wind last weekend and my body hurts from all the work trying to keep it between the lines...................