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I have broken two steering boxes so far. The input shafts have broken loose in the housing. So when you turn the wheel the shaft moves in and out and than will grab and start to move the wheels. Is there a way to upgrade the input shaft retainer part of the box.
What are you doing to make this happen racing it off road with large tires?
The only boxes I would look at would be Red Head & Blue Top but they are not an up grade but a better re-built units as they use bearings in place of soft bushings.
I would give them a call and tell them what you got, how you use the truck and where the boxes break and see what they say.
Dave ----
yes its a off road rig. Have the box tapped for hydro assist. First time I broke it, didn’t surprise me at all because I clipped a big stump before I had hydro assist. This time I was test fitting the new tires and was using the fork lift to flex it out, and it made a big bag noise. I haven’t pulled the box apart yet, But I’m going to assume the snap ring that holds the input shaft in place let loose or it broke out the groove for the snap ring all together.
I broke the box in my dad's '87 in the same way (steering shaft screwed in and out), but I didn't have nearly as much fun doing it. I was trying to turn the wheels to get it on a trailer with the engine off, and I guess I reefed on the steering wheel a little too hard, and pop. Steering fluid everywhere. Wasn't impressed by that. Sounded like the PO's kid had wheeled it a bit, so I may have finished off what was already wounded.
I swapped in a new-to-us stock steering box from the wreckers, so I'm no help for finding an upgraded version.
I might end up drilling and tapping holes around where the bearing is and putting set screws in there. Idk though. Have to have a good look when I get time to pull it apart for sure.
looks like you are running an 05+ axle the boxes used on them are beefier 05-07 just need to ream holes in frame for 14mm bolts and use a matching pitman arm
they also give more turning angle which probably wont help you due to the wheels though
Ya, I’m running 06 F550 axles. I had a 06 steering box but didn’t realize it would fit at the time. I made a custom pitman arm to fit the factory 90s box and make it swing far enough for the full lock to lock steering on the newer axles. I made my wheels custom so the tires stay out of the radius arm. Might have to look into the superduty box now. Didn’t realize was just a drill the frame out. Technically should work with the stock superduty pitman arm too because I made this one out of the stock 90s and the superduty pitman arm. I was debating on full hydro too instead of just the hydro assist.
I've never seen one break there just curious are you running higher pressure than normal ?
also if I remember correct the 11+ up f450/550 gearbox is even bigger maybe worth looking into when you do upgrade
I am not running much more pressure than stock. I had to turn the pump down because I was breaking the pump shafts off. Lol. This is the second box that I have broke this way.
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