Fall mod/upgrade session has begun
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Sous, I did not get a specific model name or price for the "updated design". Given Redhead's already higher price, shipping cost for core, etc., I just didn't take the inquiry that far because I expect most folks wouldn't spend the extra money, and if they would, it would be better for them to call Redhead directly to work out their own deal.
OK... Stand by for input from Joe's Transmission in PA. Dave's initial response was "We generally don't do steering boxes any more because of liability, we just focus on drive line work, primarily the manual transmissions for the 99-03 SD's. In fact, we don't even have any cores any more for the steering boxes. However, let me walk out into the shop and talk to Joe and see if he'd be willing to rebuild a steering box, but it would require shipping us your box and then you waiting for it to be rebuilt and sent back to you."
UPDATE: Well, Dave said he would call me right back right away, but since it's already been about 20 minutes, I don;t expect to hear back from them based on the fact that they "no longer do that kind of work."
OK... Stand by for input from Joe's Transmission in PA. Dave's initial response was "We generally don't do steering boxes any more because of liability, we just focus on drive line work, primarily the manual transmissions for the 99-03 SD's. In fact, we don't even have any cores any more for the steering boxes. However, let me walk out into the shop and talk to Joe and see if he'd be willing to rebuild a steering box, but it would require shipping us your box and then you waiting for it to be rebuilt and sent back to you."
UPDATE: Well, Dave said he would call me right back right away, but since it's already been about 20 minutes, I don;t expect to hear back from them based on the fact that they "no longer do that kind of work."
One thing that I often think of is how my truck reacts if I try to turn the wheel while sitting still, I try hard not to let that happen. It obviously puts a strain on the box and probably strains it in ways that are not so obvious to me at the time. I'll confess to even wondering if that's what Sous did while hooked to his camper when his blew apart.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,350
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I am in rep jail as well and could not give any to Pete.
Thanks again for doing the leg work for us, this is valuable information that will be useful for years to come.
Mark, I also try to never turn the wheels when sitting still. This goes for my other 3 vehicles as well as I know it is taxing on the system and usually unnecessary. When the steering gear blew up at the campground I was in fact moving backward, but very slowly and the trailer was not attached. I had unhooked the trailer about 10 minutes prior to the gear blowing up.
Although, a couple of weeks prior I had installed the Bilstein steering stabilizer where there was none before. Also, I had tightened the adjustment nut 1/8 a turn about 8-10 months prior to that.
I think that the weak design of the 2 bolt top, adding a steering stabilizer, nut adjustment and very slow backing up while turning was too much for the gear at 240K miles.
It was going to go, and I was grateful we were just settling in and there was enough room to work on it where the truck threw up ATF.
Thanks again for doing the leg work for us, this is valuable information that will be useful for years to come.
Mark, I also try to never turn the wheels when sitting still. This goes for my other 3 vehicles as well as I know it is taxing on the system and usually unnecessary. When the steering gear blew up at the campground I was in fact moving backward, but very slowly and the trailer was not attached. I had unhooked the trailer about 10 minutes prior to the gear blowing up.
Although, a couple of weeks prior I had installed the Bilstein steering stabilizer where there was none before. Also, I had tightened the adjustment nut 1/8 a turn about 8-10 months prior to that.
I think that the weak design of the 2 bolt top, adding a steering stabilizer, nut adjustment and very slow backing up while turning was too much for the gear at 240K miles.
It was going to go, and I was grateful we were just settling in and there was enough room to work on it where the truck threw up ATF.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
No reps needed, guys, but thanks.
I just called Redhead back again to get details on the "updated design", but am just getting the voice mail now. I've sent them an email asking for details, and will share their reply here so we can have the complete picture.
BTW... still no call back from Joe's. I'm confident that they are no longer a source for steering gear.
I just called Redhead back again to get details on the "updated design", but am just getting the voice mail now. I've sent them an email asking for details, and will share their reply here so we can have the complete picture.
BTW... still no call back from Joe's. I'm confident that they are no longer a source for steering gear.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
Answers on the New Design....
$456 each for the 36 spline, 1999-2004 year models F250/F350 Super Duty vehicles (including Excursions)
Available through either DieselPowerProducts or Redhead, but this is apparently a Ford design change (not sure about this) and is a Direct Bolt-on.
DPP link which shows and describes the New Design is here >>> https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/...ne-sector.aspx
Back Story (as described by Redhead): Ford recognized that there was a design weakness in the '99-'04 36 spline units and came up with a "new design" to compensate. I cannot get a good solid feel for exactly when this happened, but Redhead has been seeing these heavier duty new designs showing up randomly in the past 6 months or so in their boxes of purchased cores from Napa, O-Reilly's, etc. That's part of why they can't predict their availability.
Differences: larger sector shaft which tapers down to the original size where it enters the gear box, bigger internal valves, larger internal valve bearings, larger piston, larger fluid flow paths inside the housing, thicker and stronger housing body.
$456 each for the 36 spline, 1999-2004 year models F250/F350 Super Duty vehicles (including Excursions)
Available through either DieselPowerProducts or Redhead, but this is apparently a Ford design change (not sure about this) and is a Direct Bolt-on.
DPP link which shows and describes the New Design is here >>> https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/...ne-sector.aspx
Back Story (as described by Redhead): Ford recognized that there was a design weakness in the '99-'04 36 spline units and came up with a "new design" to compensate. I cannot get a good solid feel for exactly when this happened, but Redhead has been seeing these heavier duty new designs showing up randomly in the past 6 months or so in their boxes of purchased cores from Napa, O-Reilly's, etc. That's part of why they can't predict their availability.
Differences: larger sector shaft which tapers down to the original size where it enters the gear box, bigger internal valves, larger internal valve bearings, larger piston, larger fluid flow paths inside the housing, thicker and stronger housing body.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 32
From: Blairsville, Pennsylvania
Here's one example where you can start reading some experiences by fellow members. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...l#post15664530
YMMV
YMMV
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,350
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
The problem is that you cannot buy a new one anymore right? Maybe I am wrong.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
I've looked on about 5-6 different Ford dealer sites, and they all show "Discontinued Part"! Everything is reman, at least as far as I can find... unless someone can find a small time dealer which was shut down years ago in some remote location and they never shipped the parts back to Ford for credit... then you'd have to get inside and actually find the part on top of that! Breaking + Entering + Petty Theft = serious problems with the PoPo which is NOT worth avoiding the cost of even a high end reman for extreme duty service!
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,350
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Channeling your inner youth to bring out that term
I looked quite a bit myself when the 1st Duralast failed and could not find anything new. I am still not swayed by the confidence Steven provided to Pete. The extra cost and the reliability is just not matching up for me on a personal level. My plan still remains to get a MotorCraft locally if this one fails. Although, after talking with two 7.3 trusted mechanics I think I just got unlucky with the 1st Duralast. Both of those gentlemen claim to use steering gears from local parts stores and have not had one fail in short order yet.
It is what it is, thanks again Pete.
I looked quite a bit myself when the 1st Duralast failed and could not find anything new. I am still not swayed by the confidence Steven provided to Pete. The extra cost and the reliability is just not matching up for me on a personal level. My plan still remains to get a MotorCraft locally if this one fails. Although, after talking with two 7.3 trusted mechanics I think I just got unlucky with the 1st Duralast. Both of those gentlemen claim to use steering gears from local parts stores and have not had one fail in short order yet.
It is what it is, thanks again Pete.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
@F250_ Hit you with the rep button, 
@Sous Hit you with the rep button too.
Only advantage for me regarding these steering boxes is I could go to Horizon Ford and get a Motorcraft at internet pricing or drive about the same distance in the opposite direction to Redhead. I'm still on the fence with the Redhead stuff though. OEM has generally seemed to be more than enough for my work.
@Sous Hit you with the rep button too.
Only advantage for me regarding these steering boxes is I could go to Horizon Ford and get a Motorcraft at internet pricing or drive about the same distance in the opposite direction to Redhead. I'm still on the fence with the Redhead stuff though. OEM has generally seemed to be more than enough for my work.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 22
From: Springfield, PA
Lots of questions arise...
Is the 36 spline "better" than the 32?
Are the differences between the original 36 spline vs. the "new design" visible externally?
Could a 32 spline truck be converted to a 36 spline? Is this as simple as a new Pitman arm, or does that follow through to everything else in the steering linkage? Or back up into the column as well?
Side note: In 1989 I walked into an old Buick dealer in Hawaii looking for a flexplate for my '68 225, and he had one, covered in dust, sitting on a back shelf. The tag said something like $15, literally pocket money for it. I had been searching for one since Florida in 1985! There was a short section of the ring gear missing, so every now and then I had to rotate the engine, a 430, a bit by hand to start it.
Is the 36 spline "better" than the 32?
Are the differences between the original 36 spline vs. the "new design" visible externally?
Could a 32 spline truck be converted to a 36 spline? Is this as simple as a new Pitman arm, or does that follow through to everything else in the steering linkage? Or back up into the column as well?
Side note: In 1989 I walked into an old Buick dealer in Hawaii looking for a flexplate for my '68 225, and he had one, covered in dust, sitting on a back shelf. The tag said something like $15, literally pocket money for it. I had been searching for one since Florida in 1985! There was a short section of the ring gear missing, so every now and then I had to rotate the engine, a 430, a bit by hand to start it.
Thread Starter
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,350
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
@F250_ Hit you with the rep button,
@Sous Hit you with the rep button too.
Only advantage for me regarding these steering boxes is I could go to Horizon Ford and get a Motorcraft at internet pricing or drive about the same distance in the opposite direction to Redhead. I'm still on the fence with the Redhead stuff though. OEM has generally seemed to be more than enough for my work.
@Sous Hit you with the rep button too.
Only advantage for me regarding these steering boxes is I could go to Horizon Ford and get a Motorcraft at internet pricing or drive about the same distance in the opposite direction to Redhead. I'm still on the fence with the Redhead stuff though. OEM has generally seemed to be more than enough for my work.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
Replies in green font.
Lots of questions arise...
Is the 36 spline "better" than the 32? My assumption here is "yes' because the 32 spline came mid-year 2000, and only lasted through 2001 when Ford returned to the 36 spline design.
Are the differences between the original 36 spline vs. the "new design" visible externally? I am not certain about this. If you're in the mid-2000 through 2001 year model range, I believe the only way to know for sure is to remove the gear box and count the splines.
Could a 32 spline truck be converted to a 36 spline? Is this as simple as a new Pitman arm, or does that follow through to everything else in the steering linkage? Or back up into the column as well? I'm not sure what all has to be changed, having not yet done this job myself. Others will know, though and surely chime in.
...
Is the 36 spline "better" than the 32? My assumption here is "yes' because the 32 spline came mid-year 2000, and only lasted through 2001 when Ford returned to the 36 spline design.
Are the differences between the original 36 spline vs. the "new design" visible externally? I am not certain about this. If you're in the mid-2000 through 2001 year model range, I believe the only way to know for sure is to remove the gear box and count the splines.
Could a 32 spline truck be converted to a 36 spline? Is this as simple as a new Pitman arm, or does that follow through to everything else in the steering linkage? Or back up into the column as well? I'm not sure what all has to be changed, having not yet done this job myself. Others will know, though and surely chime in.
...