Yet again I have noticed that my steering is starting to get a little loose and have narrowed it down to the gearbox. I have replaced the Steering gearbox once before but only 20,000 miles ago! I purchaced the last gearbox as a reman from the local CarQuest store.

Does any one have any suggestions as to where I can get a GOOD replacement steering gearbox with out spending a ton of money? I do have a DSS Steering Stabilizer on my truck which I believe has made a huge drivability improvement since installed some 60,000 miles ago. I'm just getting tired of the loose steering feeling.

Thanks,
AgTech 4020

Go here and buy the bracket and pick up a third gen with pittman arm and input shaft knuckle. This will also give you a 12 to 1 ratio

I am still deciding on what box to use for my replacement.
Its either between a Red-Head box with a quicker ratio or a third gen box.
But will a DSS fit the third gen box conversion?
It it doesn't then your left with the same crappy flaw from the factory.

I just replaced mine. Money is always short, so I picked one up at advance. Since I have the brace on my truck, I am banking on it providing a little longer life. The one I pulled off I think was the original. I am the second owner and 282k, it is like night and day between the two boxes. If it is the original and it lasted this long and with no brace, then a reman with a brace should last just as long if not longer.

Do not go to AGR. I t would be nice if someone would post results of redhead box with thuren crossover steering. I have a Cardone reman with a lifetime parts and labor that replaced the AGR trash. (Trash swapped for trash but I won't have to do the wrenching on future installations.)

Go here, www.pscmotorsports.com

Can't do a PSC...

"The boxes have a 1 year warranty and due to the design of the suspension and
weight of the truck we actually quit building these gears as they are prone
to leaks and wearing out the bearings.
We can repair the box if you send it to us. We do charge for parts and a
small amount of labor to fix them but it is relatively cheap.

Kelvin Jackson
PSC Motorsports
817-270-0102"

This is what my buddy got when he asked about his leaking a year and a half after he installed it!

I run the lifetime NAPA units... they do the job!

Nick

Can't do a PSC...


This is what my buddy got when he asked about his leaking a year and a half after he installed it!

I run the lifetime NAPA units... they do the job!

Nick

then again has anybody ever had luck with "rebuilt" units! I had gone trought several rebuilt ones and my sttering never changed. They carry the Brand New units now.

In the end it's still gonna be a stock gear box.

then again has anybody ever had luck with "rebuilt" units! I had gone trought several rebuilt ones and my sttering never changed. They carry the Brand New units now.

In the end it's still gonna be a stock gear box.

Yeah I agree! His PSC was nice when it wasn't leaking! I don't know who makes one similar to the PSC, and isn't just a rebuilt unit!

I just know that NAPA stands behind their box, and for the price, it's hard to beat!

Nick

For me, Harvey at Redhead steering gear was actually within 15 bucks of NAPA's price on a box. And when I got the first one, they are quality units, no crap parts inside or out.

For the money, I would rather buy once. Also, because my time is worth something, and I don't need to be changing boxes all the time. I won't mention the fact that I went through 4 ( yes four ) NAPA rebuilt boxes on an 05, before I gave up and went with Redhead.

Just thought munchies.

For me, Harvey at Redhead steering gear was actually within 15 bucks of NAPA's price on a box. And when I got the first one, they are quality units, no crap parts inside or out.

For the money, I would rather buy once. Also, because my time is worth something, and I don't need to be changing boxes all the time. I won't mention the fact that I went through 4 ( yes four ) NAPA rebuilt boxes on an 05, before I gave up and went with Redhead.

Just thought munchies.


I'll second Readhead. I'm replacing mine next month with one. If you talk to them on the phone they don't try to blow a bunch of smoke, they tell exactly what they do when they rebuild them and won't try to sell you junk you don't need. They also offer a 15:1 box if you want one also.

Thanks for the fantastic suggestions, I will be looking into a couple of the options before I make my decision.

AgTech 4020

I just replaced mine. Money is always short, so I picked one up at advance. Since I have the brace on my truck, I am banking on it providing a little longer life. The one I pulled off I think was the original. I am the second owner and 282k, it is like night and day between the two boxes. If it is the original and it lasted this long and with no brace, then a reman with a brace should last just as long if not longer.

I just replaced mine with a rebuild from a parts plus (probably from the same place advance gets theirs) and it already has as much deflection as the worn out OEM unit. The build quality and tolerances on some (cough*most*cough) of these rebuilt units is just horrendous, the truck honestly feels WORSE than when I brought it in to have the old worn out box replaced. I think I might give it one more go and get this box swapped out with another rebuilt unit (it has a lifetime warranty) but if that one is loose AT ALL I'll probably spend the money on a better replacement.

I only say this because if the steering gear is loose right out of the box (like mine, and many others that I've read about) it doesn't matter if you put a brace on it, it will still feel loose and be a POS.

I just replaced mine with a rebuild from a parts plus (probably from the same place advance gets theirs) and it already has as much deflection as the worn out OEM unit. The build quality and tolerances on some (cough*most*cough) of these rebuilt units is just horrendous, the truck honestly feels WORSE than when I brought it in to have the old worn out box replaced. I think I might give it one more go and get this box swapped out with another rebuilt unit (it has a lifetime warranty) but if that one is loose AT ALL I'll probably spend the money on a better replacement.

I only say this because if the steering gear is loose right out of the box (like mine, and many others that I've read about) it doesn't matter if you put a brace on it, it will still feel loose and be a POS.

I'm only waiting for some long term results from someone that went with Redhead. My reman isn't the greatest but it had lifetime parts & labor meaning that i wouldn't be doing the changing. I'll probably have it changed the next time my tires are balanced (at a different shop of course). Pretty bad when a box swap is as common as an oil change (synthetic).

are you sure it's not just lifetime parts & labour on the box itself? i've never heard of a company that gives warranty on the install/removal of the part itself.

i thought they just warranty their own parts, and any flaws in the manufacturing process caused by their own labour . . . .

are you sure it's not just lifetime parts & labour on the box itself? i've never heard of a company that gives warranty on the install/removal of the part itself.

i thought they just warranty their own parts, and any flaws in the manufacturing process caused by their own labour . . . .

The shop said that I could bring it in anytime and parts and labor are covered. I may have to pay for synthetic fluid but that is all. My understanding is that Cardone makes this offer when the part is installed by a certified shop. Also, I may have a problem as I won't have a core if the box goes bad and I want to go with Redhead.

It would be really good to have someone with long term experience on a redhead box post their results. All I've seen are hopeful responses from those that have recently installed OR ONLY TALKED with Harvey.

I was hopeful when I got my new AGR. Now I'm only disappointed and tired (and out MANY more dollars than expected and WAY beyond reasonable).

Well I have a 96 Ram 2500 & the steering pump is leaking. Is a rebuild kit available from either Chrysler or Cummins?

Well I have a 96 Ram 2500 & the steering pump is leaking. Is a rebuild kit available from either Chrysler or Cummins?

seems to me that a new/rebuilt pump was under 100$, its been a couple of yrs since mine was replaced, it might even have been 60-80$, not many people rebuild their PS pumps, not worth the grief.

I called NAPA & it is $80 but if I want the reservoir it's $110. Thanks

It would be really good to have someone with long term experience on a redhead box post their results. All I've seen are hopeful responses from those that have recently installed OR ONLY TALKED with Harvey.

Agreed, I've been getting a bit frustrated with people praising a shop without having actually done business with them. I've been burned in the past by this because I take some peoples word on a shop when they really don't have the experience to review it in the first place. I've found very few places that don't make you feel warm and fuzzy leading up to the transaction, not all of them follow through in the long run though :(.

I will say red head gear got back to me EXTREMELY fast and their price for a rebuild is very reasonable at $286.

At this point I just want a steering box that doesn't have the tolerances of a bobble head right out of the box :(.



Also I didn't really think about it until the other day, but I've done business with Maval Manufacturing before. I actually have the PS Rack out of my RX7 at their shop right now being converted to Manual. They are a great business and I've been very happy with the quality of their work. For FD RX7's they are the place to go when you need a PS rack converted to manual, so there are many good reviews from that crowd. Might be worth checking into, I'm going to send them an email and see how much they would charge to rebuild my steering box.

try this as I know the owner and he makes a good product. Bulk of his business is commercial rigs, but I believe he also does small units such as pickups. Website is: http://www.straightlinesteering.com/

I've had my redhead for a year, so far so good. At least I know it was rebuilt by pro's and just not returned to factory spec at some rebuild factory. It only cost me ~$100 over a standard rebuild and is tighter than stock.

I've had my redhead for a year, so far so good. At least I know it was rebuilt by pro's and just not returned to factory spec at some rebuild factory. It only cost me ~$100 over a standard rebuild and is tighter than stock.

That's good. How many miles? Do you have a steering brace?

FWIW, Harvey @ redhead said that the 3rd gen boxes also had problems but talk to him for his current take before anyone makes a decision.

I've only had my Redhead box a little while now...a few thousand miles on the Redhead now but it was tighter than when the truck was new right out of the box. Had several "other" rebuilts from the part companies and they were all WORSE that the one I took off with 150,000 miles on it last year. I have the DSS and now with this box my truck drives like a dream...even when you hit those huge pot holes going 70mph.

+1 to Don't get an AGR. Brain dead penny pinchers put the wrong type of bearings in mine (shell bearings) and they all failed. Cheezy snapring on sector shaft failed, puked seal. NO BRAKES NO STEERING! Loads of fun. Flatbed tow home.[verymad]