Rebuilt steering box life expectancy?
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: In the Middle
Rebuilt steering box life expectancy?
Hey all, the power steering box on my '76 F350 2wd is stripped out and won't even turn the tires anymore. The box on my '78 F150 2wd is sloppy too.
I want to get a rebuilt one, but have read in some posts that the rebuilds don't last long. How long can I expect one to last?
.
I want to get a rebuilt one, but have read in some posts that the rebuilds don't last long. How long can I expect one to last?
.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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For a good box
I buy mine from Red Head Steering Gears. Have bought 2 so far and both work as good as new. They modify the output shaft by machining and installing a bearing. Wish they were a sponsor.
http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/
http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/
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Joined: Apr 2004
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I think it was around $240 plus $50 dollar core. A lot I know but I had rebuilt them in the past using the Ford kit and they just didnt hold up. Problem is the housing wears on the inside at the output shaft and this creates slop in the steering. With the front wheels on the ground have someone (I had my 8 year old daughter do it) turn the wheel back and forth just enough to take the play out of the wheel. If it is the wear at the output shaft you will see the shaft move back and forth in the housing before the pitman arm starts to move. Ford addresed this by placing a steel bushing in the kit, but the bushing just does not have the surface area so it wears quickly. Red head machines it and puts a bearing of some kind in there. Ratio is the same but they do offer other services so maybe that is an option. I know my 76 and 79 have never steered this good as long as I have had them.
Save the old ones
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 666
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From: Boyne Mich
I had replaced two over the years as well. Just as LTAR says the housings wear out where the output shaft resides. I bought mine from Carquest. I am not sure about the housing being machined and a bearing install, but that is the only thing that makes sense to me. I never had any problems and mine also never drove so good until they were replaced. I want to say about $275 with a $90 core. Next time I'll check out Red Head.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 828
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From: Baltimore
460, if you drive to Baltimore, you can have the one I took out of my 77 F150. It is a tight box with no leaks.
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From: In the Middle
Thanks everyone for the replies. The box I am thinking about for my '78 F150 is an Atsco unit from AutoZone for about $137 to replace the leaking one on the truck now. For my '76 F350, I really like the box from the link that LTAR posted. I'm not looking forward to the shipping from/to St Louis/Seattle though... 
Thanks for the offer whalerron, but Baltimore is too far to drive. I used to drive to Baltimore once a week with the job I used to have... I picked up a load of soap (or soap product) from somewhere off the exit with the TA truckstop.
Thanks for the offer whalerron, but Baltimore is too far to drive. I used to drive to Baltimore once a week with the job I used to have... I picked up a load of soap (or soap product) from somewhere off the exit with the TA truckstop.
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