Red Head Steering Box
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 342
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From: Rolla, MO
Red Head Steering Box
I had to come on and say that I finally got a Red Head steering box installed on the truck. All I have to say is WOW! I couldn't believe the transformation and how much different it feels. It's like driving a new truck. Now I wished I hadn't waited so long to get this done. It is amazing how well it tracks down the road, no more 2" of play from side to side, it is tight, and stays straight.
My experience with Red Head has bee great thus far. Their customer service has been awesome. I originally ordered the wrong steering box, totally my fault, and I called and explained why it wasn't going on and realized I had the wrong one. They were great, I sent the old back and they had the new one out in the mail the same day. Anyway, if some of you have not done this to your truck, you need to, it is well worth the money.
My experience with Red Head has bee great thus far. Their customer service has been awesome. I originally ordered the wrong steering box, totally my fault, and I called and explained why it wasn't going on and realized I had the wrong one. They were great, I sent the old back and they had the new one out in the mail the same day. Anyway, if some of you have not done this to your truck, you need to, it is well worth the money.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
@THEDON117 thank you for your service!
Did you replace anything else while you were replacing the steering gear in order to remove the "2 inches of play" in the steering wheel? I have a cheap *** AutoZone gear in my truck after having to perform a roadside repair and the play in the steering wheel is about 2". I am looking into a BlueTop steering gear with RedHead being second on the list.
Just curious if you did any other work under the truck or to the steering components or suspension at the same time.
Thanks
Did you replace anything else while you were replacing the steering gear in order to remove the "2 inches of play" in the steering wheel? I have a cheap *** AutoZone gear in my truck after having to perform a roadside repair and the play in the steering wheel is about 2". I am looking into a BlueTop steering gear with RedHead being second on the list.
Just curious if you did any other work under the truck or to the steering components or suspension at the same time.
Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
I've had my red head for about a year now and am pleased with it.
Sous, I tried replacing worn tie rod ends and adjusting the play out of my original box before the Redhead gearbox, and every step helped a little but ultimately the gearbox had to go.
Sous, I tried replacing worn tie rod ends and adjusting the play out of my original box before the Redhead gearbox, and every step helped a little but ultimately the gearbox had to go.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 661
From: South AR
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
We are headed out on another cross country trip next summer as long as C-19 doesn't blow everything up. These trips are usually 6,000 - 10,000 miles depending on how far west we go out and how far south we go on the way back to GA. One trip we went from the Atlantic ocean near Savannah GA to the Pacific ocean near Seattle. I plan to resolve my steering play issue before that trip happens. I would like to say that this winter will be the time, but the Blue Top or Red Head gear purchase will be dependent on budget constraints.
Thanks fellas, I have a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now!
@Brian Hanks , was your Motorcraft gear a remanufactured or new? I am pretty sure no new steering gears are available any longer, but thought I would ask.
Thanks fellas, I have a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now!
@Brian Hanks , was your Motorcraft gear a remanufactured or new? I am pretty sure no new steering gears are available any longer, but thought I would ask.
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I've now had 2 Redheads, and they are exceptional. I had an issue with this last one in my f250, but after some extensive troubleshooting, it was determined that the jamb nut or locking nut that had backed off was not secured by RedHead properly. I went through resetting the adjustment, and it's perfect now. Went to our local Les Schwab for an alignment on the wife's truck today and saw a RedHead steering gear box on the counter. There were a few guys behind the counter and I asked what they thought about them and if they installed a lot of them. They said they've installed several, into different vehicles, and they think they are the best steering gears on the market. They were all of the same opinion. Not sure if people ordered them through Les Schwab, or just brought them there for the install, but evidently they have installed enough to have a very favorable opinion of them...as do I.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 661
From: South AR
We are headed out on another cross country trip next summer as long as C-19 doesn't blow everything up. These trips are usually 6,000 - 10,000 miles depending on how far west we go out and how far south we go on the way back to GA. One trip we went from the Atlantic ocean near Savannah GA to the Pacific ocean near Seattle. I plan to resolve my steering play issue before that trip happens. I would like to say that this winter will be the time, but the Blue Top or Red Head gear purchase will be dependent on budget constraints.
Thanks fellas, I have a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now!
@Brian Hanks , was your Motorcraft gear a remanufactured or new? I am pretty sure no new steering gears are available any longer, but thought I would ask.
Thanks fellas, I have a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now!
@Brian Hanks , was your Motorcraft gear a remanufactured or new? I am pretty sure no new steering gears are available any longer, but thought I would ask.
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Joined: Dec 2018
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I've now had 2 Redheads, and they are exceptional. I had an issue with this last one in my f250, but after some extensive troubleshooting, it was determined that the jamb nut or locking nut that had backed off was not secured by RedHead properly. I went through resetting the adjustment, and it's perfect now. Went to our local Les Schwab for an alignment on the wife's truck today and saw a RedHead steering gear box on the counter. There were a few guys behind the counter and I asked what they thought about them and if they installed a lot of them. They said they've installed several, into different vehicles, and they think they are the best steering gears on the market. They were all of the same opinion. Not sure if people ordered them through Les Schwab, or just brought them there for the install, but evidently they have installed enough to have a very favorable opinion of them...as do I.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Rolla, MO
@THEDON117 thank you for your service!
Did you replace anything else while you were replacing the steering gear in order to remove the "2 inches of play" in the steering wheel? I have a cheap *** AutoZone gear in my truck after having to perform a roadside repair and the play in the steering wheel is about 2". I am looking into a BlueTop steering gear with RedHead being second on the list.
Just curious if you did any other work under the truck or to the steering components or suspension at the same time.
Thanks
Did you replace anything else while you were replacing the steering gear in order to remove the "2 inches of play" in the steering wheel? I have a cheap *** AutoZone gear in my truck after having to perform a roadside repair and the play in the steering wheel is about 2". I am looking into a BlueTop steering gear with RedHead being second on the list.
Just curious if you did any other work under the truck or to the steering components or suspension at the same time.
Thanks
Thanks for your service to brother! To answer your question, no. I didn't do anything else to remove the slop. I'm telling you it's insane how tight the steering is. I highly recommend these folks. Good luck with whatever you decide on.
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