Steering Box
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
I always found the box adjustment easier to do from the bottom... you're working blind but you can feel where to insert the short end of the allen key, giving you an indicator how much to turn when you loosen the locknut.
As for the choppy steering, check your steering stabilizer shock for damage. Mine was dented slightly and caused the piston to catch inside when I steered.
As for the choppy steering, check your steering stabilizer shock for damage. Mine was dented slightly and caused the piston to catch inside when I steered.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Wilsonville, OR
I have the same problem and have adjusted the Steering box screw as shown. I had worst problems and I only turned it a 1/4 turn. I replaced the steering stablizer and no improvement. I think beefing up the stablizer is only masking the problem. I have taken apart all the tie rods moved the wheels with no hang ups. Even with the pitman arm off the steering was really tight in the center. Leading me to believe it is in the steering box.
Greg
Greg
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Wilsonville, OR
Thanks Stewart, I talked to them today and it is a project that is in the future for sure. I have a oil leak still even after changing out the short block. I am wondering if they are going to pull the motor again. If they do I will do the gear box change when the motor is out.
Greg
Greg
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 20
I fought my X steering for 5 years and finally installed a Redhead steering gear (RSG). I tow about 30% of the time and it was not fun. I adjusted the OEM SG 6 different times and every time I got it to where it was sorta OK, within a month it was wandering again. As you can see in my sig I even went to the expense of Landyot Radius Rods and Firestone Airbags. They helped a little but the final cure was to install the Redhead gear. I also had installed a Rough Country Dual Steering Stabilizer but that did nothing but make my wallet lighter.
If you order a Redhead gear, you will find out why the OEM gears are junk. Primarily the manufacturing tolerances on the OEM SG parts is not very good, especially the bearing tollerances. Therefore, when the SG is assembled it is a matter of sticking the parts together with no final QA check other then it moves and does not bind.
Redhead on the other hand remans each OEM core to a lot tighter tolerances and uses high quality bearings. I got a real SG education when I spoke with them.
Installed my RSG 7 months ago and love it. Well worth the money.
DSMMH
If you order a Redhead gear, you will find out why the OEM gears are junk. Primarily the manufacturing tolerances on the OEM SG parts is not very good, especially the bearing tollerances. Therefore, when the SG is assembled it is a matter of sticking the parts together with no final QA check other then it moves and does not bind.
Redhead on the other hand remans each OEM core to a lot tighter tolerances and uses high quality bearings. I got a real SG education when I spoke with them.
Installed my RSG 7 months ago and love it. Well worth the money.
DSMMH
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
I fought my X steering for 5 years and finally installed a Redhead steering gear (RSG). I tow about 30% of the time and it was not fun. I adjusted the OEM SG 6 different times and every time I got it to where it was sorta OK, within a month it was wandering again. As you can see in my sig I even went to the expense of Landyot Radius Rods and Firestone Airbags. They helped a little but the final cure was to install the Redhead gear. I also had installed a Rough Country Dual Steering Stabilizer but that did nothing but make my wallet lighter.
If you order a Redhead gear, you will find out why the OEM gears are junk. Primarily the manufacturing tolerances on the OEM SG parts is not very good, especially the bearing tollerances. Therefore, when the SG is assembled it is a matter of sticking the parts together with no final QA check other then it moves and does not bind.
Redhead on the other hand remans each OEM core to a lot tighter tolerances and uses high quality bearings. I got a real SG education when I spoke with them.
Installed my RSG 7 months ago and love it. Well worth the money.
DSMMH
If you order a Redhead gear, you will find out why the OEM gears are junk. Primarily the manufacturing tolerances on the OEM SG parts is not very good, especially the bearing tollerances. Therefore, when the SG is assembled it is a matter of sticking the parts together with no final QA check other then it moves and does not bind.
Redhead on the other hand remans each OEM core to a lot tighter tolerances and uses high quality bearings. I got a real SG education when I spoke with them.
Installed my RSG 7 months ago and love it. Well worth the money.
DSMMH
I could not have said it any better myself. I went throught the exact same thing and love the RedHead Box.
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Hello all I am new to this forum. I just bought my 15 year old his first truck, a 02 F250 SD, and have been doing a little work on it to get it ready for him. I have noticed the steering is a little loose. I have had it alligned, new LTX AT2's, and a new steering stabilizer. I am going to adjust the steering as shown above, but was wondering about how much the redhead costs. thier website does not show any prices.
Thanks
Thanks
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