'84 Power Steering Box?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
'84 Power Steering Box?
The power steering box in my '84 F250 is leaking from what looks like the bottom seal. My first thought was to just put a new seal in it but after doing a search here it seems most believe it's best to just change out the box for a rebuilt one. I checked on Red Head steering boxes but thought I should get more opinions before just forging ahead on my own.
Should I just bite the bullet and get the new box or are there better ideas or better places to get a box if that's the call.
I'm not sure I have the ability to rebuild this box myself as I probably couldn't get the gears aligned correctly.
Should I just bite the bullet and get the new box or are there better ideas or better places to get a box if that's the call.
I'm not sure I have the ability to rebuild this box myself as I probably couldn't get the gears aligned correctly.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,908
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
I have not done a box change out but from everything I seen posted it is a crap shoot if you get a rebuilt box from one of the parts stores if it will be any good and not start leaking or have play in the wheel.
The reason I hear the stock box uses bushings on the out put shaft. When they wear the shaft starts moving around and you get play in the steering wheel and/or leak at the out put shaft.
Red Head or Blue Hat? replace the bushings with bearings. This will tighten up the steering and because the out put shaft is not moving a round the seal will not leak.
If I find my box has play I will be going with 1 of the above units.
BTW some have replaced the out put seal and been ok but I don't think they had play in the wheel just a dried out seal.
Dave ----
The reason I hear the stock box uses bushings on the out put shaft. When they wear the shaft starts moving around and you get play in the steering wheel and/or leak at the out put shaft.
Red Head or Blue Hat? replace the bushings with bearings. This will tighten up the steering and because the out put shaft is not moving a round the seal will not leak.
If I find my box has play I will be going with 1 of the above units.
BTW some have replaced the out put seal and been ok but I don't think they had play in the wheel just a dried out seal.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,908
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
I think there was a post on replacing that seal or seals as I want to say there were 2 seals with a washer spacer between them but could be way off on that also ?
Keep us posted how you make out.
Dave ----
Keep us posted how you make out.
Dave ----
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 26
From: Connecticut
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Generally around Christmastime there's a Group Buy of those things here on FTE, I think it was the 73-79 forum where I last remember having seen one.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Haha, no not up here, down there! When is Black Friday in 2018? Every dollar counts here...a RedHead steering box is likely to be a $700+ dollar purchase for me, so I'll wait for a sale or a group buy if there happens to be one. Imagine, I have to pay as much for a steering box as some people pay for a whole truck...lol.
If you happen to see a Group Buy discussed in another forum, can you let me know
.
I could live another season with no radio and no air conditioning, but I can't do another with this sloppy reman box.
. I could live another season with no radio and no air conditioning, but I can't do another with this sloppy reman box.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
on the output shaft. When they wear 
(sigh) Where in the world did you get this info, it's WRONG! The Ford/Saginaw P/S steering gearbox does not have bearings on the sector shaft, it rides directly on the housing. So before too long, fluid begins leaking from the sector shaft seal.
Red Head takes the housing, machines it to install the needle bearings that Ford omitted...on purpose, so they could sell a gazillion sector shaft seal kits.
So-called auto parts store 'rebuilt' steering gear boxes are nothing more than resealed gear boxes.
Ford only sold seal kits, one for the input shaft, the other for the sector shaft. I would assume that auto parts stores sell similar kits.
Geez Louise, I've typed this same info over 1,000 times on FTE in multiple forums since 11/2006.
Ford/Saginaw P/S introduced initially in 1965 Galaxie/LTD and mid-year 1969 F100/250 2WD & F350. Later installed in 4WD's, Econolines, Bronco's, Rangers and etc etc etc.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,908
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
(sigh) Where in the world did you get this info, it's WRONG! The Ford/Saginaw P/S steering gearbox does not have bearings on the sector shaft, it rides directly on the housing. So before too long, fluid begins leaking from the sector shaft seal.
Red Head takes the housing, machines it to install the needle bearings that Ford omitted...on purpose, so they could sell a gazillion sector shaft seal kits.
So-called auto parts store 'rebuilt' steering gear boxes are nothing more than resealed gear boxes.
Ford only sold seal kits, one for the input shaft, the other for the sector shaft. I would assume that auto parts stores sell similar kits.
Geez Louise, I've typed this same info over 1,000 times on FTE in multiple forums since 11/2006.
Ford/Saginaw P/S introduced initially in 1965 Galaxie/LTD and mid-year 1969 F100/250 2WD & F350. Later installed in 4WD's, Econolines, Bronco's, Rangers and etc etc etc.
There is a BIG difference between bushing and bearings.
Now I may be wrong on the factory boxes having bushings and may ride directly casing to shaft like you said.
I also said like you did the parts store rebuilt box in short is just a resealed box.
I can tell you be it directly riding or a bushing they will wear faster and in a way that the out put seal will leak unlike the boxes built with a bearing.
Dave ----
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
I did not say the factory box had bearings I said it had bushings, the red & blue boxes have the bearings.
There is a BIG difference between bushing and bearings.
Now I may be wrong on the factory boxes having bushings and may ride directly casing to shaft like you said.
I also said like you did the parts store rebuilt box in short is just a resealed box.
I can tell you be it directly riding or a bushing they will wear faster and in a way that the out put seal will leak unlike the boxes built with a bearing.
Dave ----
There is a BIG difference between bushing and bearings.
Now I may be wrong on the factory boxes having bushings and may ride directly casing to shaft like you said.
I also said like you did the parts store rebuilt box in short is just a resealed box.
I can tell you be it directly riding or a bushing they will wear faster and in a way that the out put seal will leak unlike the boxes built with a bearing.
Dave ----
Here's the pic, sector shaft is 3575. Notice there's nary a bushing or bearing in sight.
Black square represents the parts that make up the sector shaft seal kit (3E501).
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Fouke, Arkansas
I have an '85 F250 4X4 and I put a red head in it several years ago and couldn't be happier with it. They are a little pricey but the truck handles/drives a whole lot better. I installed the red head box, a new power steering pump, and all new lines/hoses, filled it with fluid and forgot about it.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I have an '85 F250 4X4 and I put a red head in it several years ago and couldn't be happier with it. They are a little pricey but the truck handles/drives a whole lot better. I installed the red head box, a new power steering pump, and all new lines/hoses, filled it with fluid and forgot about it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SteveT
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jul 9, 2000 05:52 PM