Steering Gear Help

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 1, 2020 | 07:16 PM

Another73F100Question

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 24

Likes: 0

Steering Gear Help

I think my new steering gear is faulty, it is a re-manufactured unit from Cardone. It worked flawlessly for a week or two and then all the sudden it began to act up. Here is what the unit does:

When I turn the wheel to the right, it continues to move by itself until it locks out in that direction.
When I turn to the left there is a lot of resistance.
Throughout the entire range of steering there is a large amount of binding and sticking.
Generates a LOT of heat when operating
Adjustment screw is very hard to turn (yes the jam nut is loose)

I am unable to adjust this problem out with the adjust screw on the top of the unit. When I jack the truck up and turn the wheel with the engine off, there is no binding, it is smooth as butter. I know for a fact that the lines are installed correctly, the pump is working, and the fluid is full. Does this mean I need a new unit or is this a problem caused by something else in the steering? Thanks.

Jul 1, 2020 | 07:32 PM

John89

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 1,448

Likes: 163

From: East Texas

Are you sure the air has been bled out? I would think that with a new unit you shouldn't need to use the adjusting screw. (Someone else may have a different assumption.)

Is it a stock 73 unit?

Jul 1, 2020 | 08:01 PM

Christmas

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jun 2018

Posts: 3,554

Likes: 442

When you first installed it did you center the lock to lock with the steering wheel before installing the pitman arm with wheels pointing forward.

Jul 1, 2020 | 10:32 PM

matthewq4b

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 5,831

Likes: 121

From: St Albert, Alberta

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another73F100Question

I think my new steering gear is faulty, it is a re-manufactured unit from Cardone. It worked flawlessly for a week or two and then all the sudden it began to act up. Here is what the unit does:

When I turn the wheel to the right, it continues to move by itself until it locks out in that direction.
When I turn to the left there is a lot of resistance.
Throughout the entire range of steering there is a large amount of binding and sticking.
Generates a LOT of heat when operating
Adjustment screw is very hard to turn (yes the jam nut is loose)

The first issue is you bought a Cardone reman, those are not really remanned but just resealed.
The wheel continuing to move to the right is a spool valve issue.
The Resistance to the left is also spool valve.
This should NOT be touch, especially on a supposed new reman box as it is the sector adjusting screw.

My advice is to return the box and buy a properly remanufactured unit either from Redhead or Blue top. I would go Bluetop over Redhead as of late Redheads Quality has slipped some as they have grown, and I have gotten a few rejects as of late.
Blue top, on the other hand, has never supplied a reject and Ryan at Blue top knows his stuff and will go the extra mile to fill specific requests or answer questions..

https://redheadsteeringgears.com/
https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com/

Jul 1, 2020 | 10:39 PM

matthewq4b

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 5,831

Likes: 121

From: St Albert, Alberta

Double post

Jul 1, 2020 | 10:40 PM

ford390gashog

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 26,007

Likes: 575

From: Brentwood,CA

Lets hope the OP didn't give up his core! Anything Cardone is trash, steering gears and pumps being the ultimate. These are just resealed units. There is no hard rebuild involved or QC.