Just ordered a redhead steering box this morning, should be in by the weekend and Will be impressed if it is, since I live in Alabama and its coming from Washington. Shipping was only $30. Will let you guys know how it goes, and how the box performs. 90% of my play is in the box, I will also at some point replace tie rods, but for now just the steering box. It was $275, with $100 core charge and $30 shipping. I read great things from them, already experienced good, quick, and to the point customer service. Will install Saturday.

 

I recently put one in my truck, its awesome.
and its definitely helped clean up my steering situation. The swap was alright, the most difficult part was lugging the heavy gear box back into place to bolt it in. But I'm happy with it. Although, I have no idea how I'm supposed to get my core money back. I used a credit card, and they sent me a receipt/invoice in the mail...but I'm not sure if they can throw the $100 back into my CC...

 

I installed mine today along with new power steering lines, and your right, it is awesome. I have some play left in the tie rods, but most of its gone, and the new box just feels all around better. Very pleased overall, quick shipping, good to the point service. Im going to call them about the core return, Im wondering if I have to pay return shipping. They would refund your money the same way as if you went to the store to return something Im sure. doesn't matter what you payed with.

 

I have to replace my redhead. My fault too, It had a very small leak (I hate leaks) and I tried fixing it and it completely screw it up. Now it's like I don't have power steering till halfway.

But hey it doesn't leak anymore!

 

Just a quick question, are there only three ways to adjust the steering wheel to make it straight? The steering rod that goes from the wheel to the box, which can only go 180 degrees off at a time, the pitman arm which can be 90, 180, 270, and 360 off, and the tie rods? Mine is about, but not quite 45 degrees to the right, but with the new steering box it bothers me much more now. I remember being able to turn the wheel equal amounts both ways while priming my power steering, but I will double check. That leads me to believe the tie rods are off from the last time the truck was aligned, with the old steering box I could see if they were flying through an alignment job and half way doing it the wheel may seem to be straight with all the play I had in it. Also, do the factory inner and outer tie rods have grease fittings, or only aftermarket, because mine have grease fittings on them. The steering is pretty dang tight now, but could be better and if my tie rods have to be adjusted to straighten my wheel I might as well replace them before getting an alignment. They don't have much play in them, and the joint in the steering rod in the engine bay has no play, any other places for play in the steering? Sorry for my awful terminology, I work in heavy equipment and not on cars for my money, so I just grip it and rip it not knowing what all the parts are called, but knowing what they do. Also, who is a good brand of suspension and steering components? I think red head only does steering boxes. Moog has always been the go to, but I've been hearing quality is down lately and they are jut renamed generic parts, which may also be good, I don't know. Just don't want to replace parts in year or two again.

 

Where did it lleak at?

 

Obviously the first two methods won't work. The tie rods yes. What you have to do is adjust the adjusting sleeves, I call them turnbuckles, by the tie rod ends. There is one adjusting sleeve on each side of the steering box pitman arm as you are probably aware. To center the steering wheel, turn the steering wheel straight ahead and look which way the tires are heading and it will be obvious which adjusting sleeve has to be lengthened and which shortened.

You best not try this yourself even if the tires were in line and you turned both adjusting sleeves the same amount and carefully measured, the toe would likely be off some due to the geometrics of the different length tie rods.

Sorry if it sounded like I was telling you a lot of stuff you already knew in the first paragraph.

 

Center adjustment screw.

 

And what did you do to try to fix that? Surely not loosen it and add some type of silicon and retighten lol.

 

I doubt I will do it myself because if I did I would just go get it aligned afterword, so ill just let them do it. It cant hurt to get it realigned, and I may just get new tie rods while Im at it. Any brand recommendations?