Steering box

[86c10kid]

I think I need a new steering box because mine is very loose. What is a good brand to get? Is Redhead a good one? Thanks in advance

 

[Camar068]

from reviews yes.

 

[Ricko1966]

I think I need a new steering box because mine is very loose. What is a good brand to get? Is Redhead a good one? Thanks in advance

You know what,you have surprised the crap out of me. Your first posts I figured OK this guy has big dreams is over his head on the knowledge,and he's never going to complete it. 99% wouldn't have. Good job man!!!. I'm telling you this,because I think you have the perseverance and willingness to learn. Reconditioning these boxes isn't hard. It's not for everyone 99% don't even understand where all the adjustments are what they do and what adjustments to make in what order. But I'm sure you can fix your box,or on disassembly you'll see something not replaceable is worn and you'll know then,yep just buy one.

 

[73 cheySuper]

Soooo agree......a simple rebuild is indeed simple once you're familiar with the how-tos. It'll only cost $30 or so. I just did this for the 3rd time, and very happy with each result. I understand redhead machines for larger bearings, or at least they claim they do, but is that necessary?? I doubt it. The only box I even doubted had some bore wear and I had my buddy hone it, all better now. The other 2 were just showing nominal bore wear and it was just a simple reseal, and backlash setup. All is extremely simple.

 

[mtbadbob]

I rebuilt my own box and got all the leaks stopped. I adjusted the free-play according to the manuals, and it works great, except when the fluid is cold at start-up. It acts like it has manual steering just for a few seconds, maybe 30, until fluid circulates & warms slightly, then it steers like a dream. I'm really not sure why, but after I had to re-do it a second time because of a ball bearing that I left out the first time, and all the leaks are sealed, I'M LEAVING IT ALONE!

 

[CalSgt]

Agree with @Ricko1966 and @73 cheySuper …

These boxes aren’t too terrible to rebuild, there’s a few things that take some patience but nothing too difficult.

I’ve heard too many horror stories about the replacement remanufactured units, don’t really know anything about the aftermarket stuff though

ETA: make sure a cracked frame isn’t causing the “loose steering” before anything else

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Take it apart and inspect it thoroughly.
I intended to rebuild mine but....
The pitman arm bushing wears through and/ or cracks, making it a boat anchor.
I bought the Borgeson unit, very happy with it.

 

[legopnuematic]

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[legopnuematic]

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[Magna86]

Search Hector Carrillo on FB he rebuilds these boxes for a very reasonable price. He can also upgrade to a quick ratio of you want. Turn around was about a week. Ships in a USPS flat to save $$

 

[Ontheboulder]

Search Hector Carrillo on FB he rebuilds these boxes for a very reasonable price. He can also upgrade to a quick ratio of you want. Turn around was about a week. Ships in a USPS flat to save $$

there are a lot of hector carrillos on FB which one is he??

 

[Ricko1966]

Search Hector Carrillo on FB he rebuilds these boxes for a very reasonable price. He can also upgrade to a quick ratio of you want. Turn around was about a week. Ships in a USPS flat to save $$

Something to keep in mind,switching to close ratio is going to put more stress on the frame,which they already crack prone.

 

[Magna86]

Here's his email [email protected]. He's located in CA and I spent about $250 including shipping.

 

[RanchWelder]

My first Gear came stamped with the Blazer as a REMAN.
It never worked correct in 6 years.

During the engine remanufacture I opted for a supposed new unit from a Missouri eBay store.
Still had significant 2 inch slop and the dreaded low RPM worse than manual nightmare steering.

When I reached out for the Manufacturer's warrantee, he never got back to me.
The company requires the retailer's to file a proper warrantee report, which the consumer cannot do.

Every drag link, pitman arm, ball joint and bearing was replaced. 100%.
Still no steering at idle-1500 rpm.
Double check the pitman torque...

Summit just sent me a Borgeson unit.
The date of Manufacture was 12/2025.

My steering column is out and the donated Ididt replacement is waiting for the old style ignition switch and harness to be delivered from Ididit.
It's the older style with a Cole Hersey switch they re-engineered out of the column shroud design, apt 5 years ago.
So the older columns from Ididit have internal machined changes to accommodate a different internal switch.
Parts from a column from 5 years ago DO NOT MATCH what they retail now.

Idid is sending me a new switch with pigtail next week, if they can find one on the shelf.

I'm wiring in a HD relay circuit to eliminate the third OEM ignition column mounted switch in 5 years from the program.
Ididit uses a low voltage internal column switch to a relay box that's $211.00 and missing from the donated parts I have.

The failure rate on the OEM column switch is not worth it anymore. Dirt gets into the switch and they act up driving dirt roads.

The newer column gets rid of the column shifter, neutral safety and the ignition crap.

We'll see if the quick ratio gear resolves the problem soon.

I used the Summit Racing P-Pump with the valve replaced so the metric hoses with o-rings work.
The Borgeson Gear ships with the o-ring lines, and with adapters made from Brass if you already have or are considering using the P-Pump with older smaller style flare lines.

If the pressure is not correct this time, I'll swap out the o-ring lines and restore the P-Pump flare and go flared lines to see if that was an issue.

If I'm not mistaken, I drilled out the pump case fitting pressure ball-valve, for increased flow. 3/128" or something small?
It has SAE threads inside the pump casting to tank fitting, with either flare or metric o-ring on the outside of the tanks.

So the "metric" or o-ring issue can be swapped on any Saginaw pump housing, except the low pressure versions used on Ferd rack and pinions.
The orifice, check ball and spring pressure are different for the Ferd Saginaw 800psi.
The GM is 1200 psi. Not all the Ferd pumps are low pressure. There's a different size flare hose and that mixes everything up, further.

Both previous pumps were remanufactured by me with bushings and new seals. Nothing worked to correct the steering.
The Summit Pumps are Made is USA by a major aftermarket supplier.

This is my third Box and third or fourth try at a pump.

Hopefully the Borgeson quick ratio will resolve this dilemma.
Someday hope to actually have power steering.

Third time's a charm?

 

[xm20k]

I'm running a Borgeson 12.7:1 Ratio and a Holly steering shaft it's very responsive with virtually no dead spot. I'm also running a hydro boost as well as the steering box.

Pardon Our Interruption

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