"Sloppy" steering?
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 318
Likes: 25
Not when new they were not, no. They were born with very tight and responsive steering. My first 9th gen was a '96 f150 w/ 80k miles. It was only 3 years old in '99. Sometime around 120k miles or so (it's been many years ago now, but I know I'm in the ballpark), the steering got real sloppy.
It was a 4wd super cab. I didn't know at the time to look for a cracked frame where the box mounted. I lived with it for a couple years until I sold it and got into the HD trucks.
When I got my '93 F250 it had just 50k miles on it and I don't recall it having sloppy steering at all until.....let me see my records......93k (June 2012) miles shows I replace the box with a red head and my notes read:
"Rebuilt Steering Box By Redhead - Stock Unit Had Too Much Slop/Failed Basically"
The box is still like new after all these years. It's just like the day I installed it.
When I got my F450 w/ 200k miles, the steering was worse than both previous trucks ever got haha.
I had also driven several other F150's and F350's 9th gens back in the day when the trucks were newer (under 100k) and all of them had nice tight steering. They were not born loose.
If you want tight steering, for decades and thousands upon thousand of issue free miles, if after you don't find any other causes, put a red head box in and you'll be smiles! These suckers are worth every penny. They are highly praised for very good reason.
The odds of me putting one in the F450 at some point (even after putting in a cardon reman) are very high.
Something I just remembered, the F250's box was so sloppy compared to the red head, that it took me a week or two to stop over correcting going around corners! It made that old truck just feel "tight" like new. They're awesome, bud.
I can assure you, the answer to your question is absolutely not. These trucks did not roll off the Ford lots with sloppy steering.
It was a 4wd super cab. I didn't know at the time to look for a cracked frame where the box mounted. I lived with it for a couple years until I sold it and got into the HD trucks.
When I got my '93 F250 it had just 50k miles on it and I don't recall it having sloppy steering at all until.....let me see my records......93k (June 2012) miles shows I replace the box with a red head and my notes read:
"Rebuilt Steering Box By Redhead - Stock Unit Had Too Much Slop/Failed Basically"
The box is still like new after all these years. It's just like the day I installed it.
When I got my F450 w/ 200k miles, the steering was worse than both previous trucks ever got haha.
I had also driven several other F150's and F350's 9th gens back in the day when the trucks were newer (under 100k) and all of them had nice tight steering. They were not born loose.
If you want tight steering, for decades and thousands upon thousand of issue free miles, if after you don't find any other causes, put a red head box in and you'll be smiles! These suckers are worth every penny. They are highly praised for very good reason.
The odds of me putting one in the F450 at some point (even after putting in a cardon reman) are very high.
Something I just remembered, the F250's box was so sloppy compared to the red head, that it took me a week or two to stop over correcting going around corners! It made that old truck just feel "tight" like new. They're awesome, bud.
I can assure you, the answer to your question is absolutely not. These trucks did not roll off the Ford lots with sloppy steering.
So I get that they didn't roll off the line sloppy, but it does sound like it's pretty normal for them to have sloppy steering after a decent time on the road, so I'm not going to worry that I have a specific problem.
I am fine living with the steering how it is. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have an underlying issue.
I might get the redhead box at some point, but for now I'll just live with this. Thanks!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 1,201
From: Mojave, Ca
After changing several steering parts, I installed a bluetop in my f350 trying to tighten up the steering. It made no difference. I think my next replacement will be the leaf spring hanger rubber bushings.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 215
Likes: 75
THANK YOU for answering the question.
So, I get that they didn't roll off the line sloppy, but it does sound like it's pretty normal for them to have sloppy steering after a decent time on the road, so I'm not going to worry that I have a specific problem.
I am fine living with the steering how it is. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have an underlying issue.
I might get the redhead box at some point, but for now I'll just live with this. Thanks!
So, I get that they didn't roll off the line sloppy, but it does sound like it's pretty normal for them to have sloppy steering after a decent time on the road, so I'm not going to worry that I have a specific problem.
I am fine living with the steering how it is. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have an underlying issue.
I might get the redhead box at some point, but for now I'll just live with this. Thanks!
It might be common, as parts wear out on these 30-year-old trucks, and many folks don't fix them, but it's not normal.
If your truck has sloppy steering, you DO have an underlying issue.
You've received recommendations on this post as to how to what to look for, and possible solutions.
Last edited by My93F250NH; Mar 16, 2026 at 07:35 AM. Reason: typo
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 1,044
Because you have blocked everyone that is giving you a good answer so you can't see it. Including my posts.
He's a troll.
He's a troll.
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