RedHead Steering Box Leaking
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 363
From: Candy Mountain
RedHead Steering Box Leaking
As the title suggests, my RedHead steering gear box is leaking at the input shaft. It isn't horrible, but the frame horn is wet with fluid and checking the level, I am going to have to start feeding it soon.
The gear box is otherwise performing well. It has been on the truck just shy of 3 years, so I am not thrilled at having to mess with the gear box again, but you do what you gotta do.
So, thoughts on moving forward...
Can I replace the leaking seal/s myself? Send it back to RedHead, or try Blue Top? Other outfits that folks have used?
The gear box is otherwise performing well. It has been on the truck just shy of 3 years, so I am not thrilled at having to mess with the gear box again, but you do what you gotta do.
So, thoughts on moving forward...
Can I replace the leaking seal/s myself? Send it back to RedHead, or try Blue Top? Other outfits that folks have used?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
I just installed a Redhead. Mine was leaking from the line connections because I didn't put the O rings in. I have since installed them and all is well. I don't like the warranty since it doesn't cover shipping or labor. So in your case you might be even on cost if you bought a new one as opposed to sending yours to them for repair. I suggest you call them and see what suggestions they can offer. They were helpful when I called about buying one.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,339
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From: Central Mississippi
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Redhead charged 30-35$ for a shipping label to return my core. I thought Redhead had a special price since they had an account with the shipper.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 390
From: Evansville, Indiana
The Blue Top is shipped in a box of the same dimensions as the medium flat rate. It barely fits and is held securely by injectable foam. So using the same foam makes it easy. If I didn't have the foam packaging I would have sent the core back in a beefed up large flat rate box for $20.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,339
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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Should be, yes. Has been on every redhead box I've had.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 390
From: Evansville, Indiana
The Blue Top is shipped in a box of the same dimensions as the medium flat rate. It barely fits and is held securely by injectable foam. So using the same foam makes it easy. If I didn't have the foam packaging I would have sent the core back in a beefed up large flat rate box for $20.
IIRC, both Red Top and Blue Top are located in rural areas. Maybe they don't have free USPS pickup and rely on UPS or FedEx. With those two, $30-35 is a good price as someone without an account could spend twice that.
IIRC, both Red Top and Blue Top are located in rural areas. Maybe they don't have free USPS pickup and rely on UPS or FedEx. With those two, $30-35 is a good price as someone without an account could spend twice that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 390
From: Evansville, Indiana
It's possible that the input shaft seal is not a difficult job. When I read over the process of replacing the Pitman arm seal, I decided I wanted no part of it. It was expensive to blow off that repair but I'm okay with replacing the whole unit. It is a better than stock unit.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Candy Mountain
So, several companies make seal kits, including just input shaft seal kits, so I bought one by Gates. Got it installed today, and it seems fine so far. I will provide an update on how it works out.
As far as the work went, I decided to give it a try with the box still in the truck, which worked out. There is a dust shield, snap ring, and seal. It was like replacing an axle seal. The dust shield and seal are press fit, so just had to puncture them and then pull them out. The biggest pain was getting the snap ring out, which was just a matter of patience.
As far as the work went, I decided to give it a try with the box still in the truck, which worked out. There is a dust shield, snap ring, and seal. It was like replacing an axle seal. The dust shield and seal are press fit, so just had to puncture them and then pull them out. The biggest pain was getting the snap ring out, which was just a matter of patience.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 363
From: Candy Mountain
The seals that came out were identical to the stock replacement parts I purchased.
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