The steering gear of my '90 F350 dually diesel is making a nice puddle in the driveway, and the engine hasn't even been started in like a week - so basically it sprung a leak while just sitting there. Now here's the question - I can replace it with whatever AZ has listed for my truck, but I want lighter steering, like the one in my buddy's '86 F250 diesel - he has pinky steering, I gotta put some effort in mine. On the other hand, I've been told that a steering gear from an '80s Lincoln Towncar will fit as well - those for sure have pinky steering feel to them but then again the cars are only 4k lbs as compared to my 6k truck. So what's your opinion on the subject, is there a steering box out there that will give me the very light steering feel I want?

 

The 89 Mustang LX and 85 F150 we used to have had pinky steering. That was kinda nice. I don't know if there is a suitable replacement part for your application of not. I wonder what the reason was for making the steering require a little more effort. I think it might be to keep people from over steering too easily.

 

Yup, that's it, you got it - heavier steering makes it harder to over-steer, it also improves the road-feel of the vehicle at higher speeds. Some cars actually have variable assist so they have pinky-steering at low speeds and then firm up as you go faster, but in my truck I don't find that necessary. What's somewhat odd is that AZ lists the same steering gear box for my '90 1-ton, my buddy's '86 3/4-ton, and your '85 halfton. The Lincoln box is different tho, and Mustang has a rack-and-pinion setup so it's a whole different ball game entirely.

 

Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Home have a look here.

 

I know about them redheads, but one ain't an option right now. We've head good luck with the AZ boxes so far, and they are priced decent and readily available, so that's what I'm gonna use - in other words I was asking more about application than manufacturer...

 

I was pretty sure all 80-97 (96 F150) trucks used the same steering box. Might it have less to do with the box and more to do with the pump? Do the smaller higher revving engines have lighter steering because of more pump rotation? Crank and steering pulley size differences?

I do not have the answers on all this, but it would make sense to me since the boxes are (supposedly) all the same.

 

I know the truck boxes are supposed to be the same, but they are not the same as the big cars, even tho they will interchange. Also my buddy's truck is the same as mine in that it has a diesel engine and it also idles at the same engine speed, however I modified my pump for more pressure and flow, so if anything mine should be easier to steer at low engine speed, but it's not the case...

 

Steering boxes are designed to work with a specific wheelbase. If you put a steering box from a vehicle with a short wheelbase into your crewcab pickup it will not steer right because the steering geometry is different. I would strongly recommend against trying this.

I don't know why you dismiss redhead steering so quickly. They make quality boxes. Autozone sells chinese junk.

But regardless.... it's not the box that gives you "pinky steering". It's the power steering pump. I would recommend the saginaw upgrade. There is a big thread in this forum about it. Search for it and you'll find it.

 

With the TIB/TTB front ends and the crazy cross-link steering, changing boxes won't affect the geometry. What will change things is a longer or shorter Pittman arm. A longer arm will increase feel and 'quicken' the steering. A shorter arm will make it easier to steer but the box may run out of throw before the wheels are full lock to lock.

When I worked on the San Jose line in the '80's, i don't remember a distinction between steering boxes by wheelbase. Only by power/manual, 2wd/4wd and F150/250/350 class.

IIRC, these front ends have physical steering stops at the knuckles, too. I do remember the crewcabs scrubbing heavily when they went off the end of the line and made that first turn to go outside to the holding area.

Just my 0.02 USD worth, adjusted for inflation.

Ray

 

When I bought my F-150 reman box at Napa in 2004 (a mistake), they asked what the wheelbase was. They had a different part number depending on the wheelbase. A few weeks later, I found something online (can't remember if it was here) that explained why different wheelbases would require different ratios in the gearbox.

Now, of course, I can't find anything like that and rockauto doesn't separate gearboxes by wheelbase so I guess it's possible I was thinking of something else entirely.

But... bottom line, if you want the best steering, get a redhead box and the saginaw pump upgrade. Money well spent IMO.

 

Thats odd that AZ lists the same part for all of those applications. Is there something else that is different about them that makes them have the pinky steering?

 

I wish I had a crewcab, what I have is about as short as a dually truck gets - reg cab & long bed, so box from a fullsize car would be pretty darn close fit as far as wheelbase goes. Also if you look at said cars, between '80 and '02 they got several different boxes depending on model year, even tho the wheelbase and the steering linkage didn't change at all - they went for the steering feel with those, the newer the car the heavier the steering (plus there is that variable assist thing, but it's in the pump and not the box).

I actually can't even hit my steering stops at the knuckles, I have two bumper supports on the front that the tires hit before the steering linkage bottoms out - it does make for somewhat increase turning radius, but not as bad as what you experienced with the crews in that assembly plant. So having a smaller lock-to-lock range than most others will not bother me, but replacing a pitman arm is out of the question right now unless I find something that works for dirt cheap...

Money well spent indeed, but money I don't have. I don't even drive the darn thing enough to justify spending that much, and when I do drive it it's on paved roads and packed dirt roads at worst. The truck actually steers great right now, it would be nice if the steering was a bit lighter but I can definitely live with it as is So really I'm only replacing what needs replacing, if I can change things a bit while I'm at it that's fine but serious upgrades are definitely not an option right now. Actually give that I'm pretty happy with the way the box works, I've been suggested to just replace the seals and be done with it...

As for the Saginaw pump, you don't really need it, a factory Ford pump can make more than enough pressure to blow the steering gear seals - mine is not quite there yet, but I can make it like that in less that 15 minutes


I've been suggested the torsion bars/springs inside the boxes are different, however what box got what I have no clue...

 

If it is the steering gear that is leaking and you really don't have the money now try some of the power steering stop leak snake oil in the box. Mine was leaking at the output shaft seal, and since the way to actually fix it would be a new box I said "what the heck, the worst that happens is I'm out the couple bucks for the snake oil...and maybe it will actually stop the leak." I splurged and bought the Lucas stuff for like $8 and it stopped the leak.

So being the cheapskate I am, I would suggest putting on the band-aid and saving money until you can install the box you really want instead of putting money into something you are not thrilled with.

 

I'm pretty sure that the steering box on my truck is fairly worn. Everything else on the steering has basically been replaced and its would be nice if it was a little tighter.

How much do those Red Heads go for? I didn't see it listed on their site.

 

I've saved more than one power steering pump with that bandaid, some of them are still running now. If its not a regular driver that may be your best bet. I'm seconding this one.

As far as box interchangability, there is no easy way I know of to cross reference this, but consider looking at a box from a long car, such as a 4 door lincoln.

If you're running a smaller pulley on your pump to increase pressure, this may be the reason you're now leaking, you probably blew out a gasket from the additional pressure. If you're intent on keeping this higher pressure pump, you should either look at upgrading pumps, or plan on replacing boxes regularly.

My .02 worth