I put a Redhead box on my truck back in 2014, and it’s developed a leak at the sector shaft. Does anyone know if the seal is replaceable? Or have a part number that fits? I can find seal kits for the OEM box, just wasn’t sure if they fit the Redhead.

 

If you pull it, and send the gear to Redheads, they most likely would warranty replace the seal for you.

I had my gear rebuilt by power steering.com. Chip Worner, and he did the repair for free. Unfortunately, the repair seal also started dripping a couple years later, so now I just keep adding fluid. Not a,horrible leak. Just an annoying drip.



Most older fellas understand

 

I figured warranty was gone since they list as 1 year, but it’s worth a shot. The problem is that I can’t have the truck down while waiting for the box to ship out and back. So I was hoping it was something I could get done locally. It jumped up to a bad leak pretty quick, so she marks her territory wherever she goes. ��

 

Call Redhead and ask if the OE-dimension seal works - they'll certainly be able to tell you if they changed any dimensions

 

I talked to Redhead yesterday afternoon. Their advice was that it was probably better to replace the box than to attempt to replace the seal. Replacement of the seal requires disassembly of the box to pull the shaft out from the top, so reassembly could knock it out of adjustment. It's out of warranty (5 years old), but they have a loyalty discount program that knocks $50 on the price of the next box. New box is on the way, so I'll just swap when it gets here. She might need a diaper till then to keep from marking all her parking spots and putting more "anti-rust" coating on the undercarriage.

 

Hey, who you callin' old?......Ben

 

Do you have a steering brace to take the strain off the steering box shaft? It flexes and damages the seal over time, otherwise.

 

I do have a steering brace. It was on before the first Redhead box went on. This is the second box that I've had a leak at this seal on. I've done some reading and there is an opinion that sometimes the brace can actually cause the leak if the frame flexes and transmits that movement to the shaft. I haven't had a chance to put the brace back on after having a shop swap the new box in.

 

I have a borgeson (delphi) box on mine its been good for about 10 years now. Only thing Ive ever had to do is adjust the slop in the box a couple times with the adjuster. Thats really weird.
Ive seen a few companies have gotten out of the dodge / cummins application. Im guessing its that most people dont run the brace and they cant afford to replace so many steering boxes. =(

 

My Redhead leaked as well and they said that they have a new type seal on the newer boxes (This was probably 2-3 yrs ago now). I just replaced the box with a non redhead one. No leaks thus far.