steering box adjustment

[Snoots]

Dude I have been very happy with the LARES brand box I put in the 88 Blazer because it is Tha Shizznit.
Factory steering ratio is 7.8/1
A (1988) Z-28 box is 12.5/1
A LARES box is 16/1 and it bolts on.
Bout twice the price of a parts store rebuilt = Choose wisely.

Lares Corporation

Lares Corporation supplies the highest quality new and re-manufactured power steering gears, manual steering gears, control valves, cylinders, & pumps.

www.larescorp.com

Hope this helps!

Did you get yours thru RockAuto?

 

[gmbellew]

when my steering box needs to be replaced, I will likely get a redhead box. seems speedy, but quality. https://redheadsteeringgears.com/2858

 

[Rusty Nail]

I dunno where it came ftom Snoots.... Modern Wheel put it on, I didn't touch it.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[mtbadbob]

when my steering box needs to be replaced, I will likely get a redhead box. seems speedy, but quality. https://redheadsteeringgears.com/2858

My mechanic buddy claims Redhead is the best out there. That's what I was going to suggest.

 

[mtbadbob]

A 20 year old use steering gearbox Can not be adj. very well cause most of the wear is on the teeth that are used going down a straight road with little wear when turning left or right. what I'm trying to say is most all the wear is only on a small part of the gear.

I recently rebuilt my box & here's what I learned. The gear on the end of the pitman shaft is tapered, thus adjusting it will move the larger portion of the taper into the main box gear, taking out free-play to a point. I adjusted mine with the steering wheel unlocked, and you can watch the steering wheel slight straighten out as you turn the adjuster. I understand that you just can't crank the adjuster nut down tight, but slight adjustments do work. I think I turned mine around 1/2-3/4 of a turn, then straightened the steering wheel the rest of the way with the drag link adjuster sleeve. The adjuster nut did take out the wheel slop also.

 

[CheemsK1500]

My mechanic buddy claims Redhead is the best out there. That's what I was going to suggest.

I put a Redhead on a second gen Dodge Ram truck (Second gens use the same style steering gear boxes as squares) a few weeks ago, and the difference is well worth the high price tag. I'll get one for my square when it needs one.

 

[Camar068]

On a related topic, has anyone found a reliable new replacement brand steering box? I’ve seen complaints here about a new Borgesen box loosening up and being just as bad as the original box. I would be willing to consider a brand new box if it would properly tighten up my steering.

From looking at box rebuild kits online, they seem to be mostly seals and other small parts, so I don’t see how they do much more than seal any leaks. If the wear is on the internal teeth and you don’t replace them, I don’t see how a rebuild will help tighten up the steering.

look at RedHead. There's a few that have mentioned them on here. Do your research here and elsewhere and go from there. My next will be redhead.

 

[75gmck25]

The redhead boxes are in a price range I would consider ($406) since it would really help the overall feel of the truck if I could tighten up the steering.

Another question - My ‘75 K25 truck is too old to use one of the jeep steering shaft replacements, so I’m stuck with the rag joint. I assume I would need to replace the complete steering shaft with one from a newer truck, or is there some simpler way to make the conversion?

 

[squaredeal91]

The redhead boxes are in a price range I would consider ($406) since it would really help the overall feel of the truck if I could tighten up the steering.

Another question - My ‘75 K25 truck is too old to use one of the jeep steering shaft replacements, so I’m stuck with the rag joint. I assume I would need to replace the complete steering shaft with one from a newer truck, or is there some simpler way to make the conversion?

You can buy couplers in different spline counts and make your own. I'm about to eliminate the rag on our 99 suburban.

 

[CheemsK1500]

The redhead boxes are in a price range I would consider ($406) since it would really help the overall feel of the truck if I could tighten up the steering.

Another question - My ‘75 K25 truck is too old to use one of the jeep steering shaft replacements, so I’m stuck with the rag joint. I assume I would need to replace the complete steering shaft with one from a newer truck, or is there some simpler way to make the conversion?

I think Borgeson might make a replacement shaft, I'd have to double check.

 

[Rusty Nail]

You can buy couplers in different spline counts and make your own. I'm about to eliminate the rag on our 99 suburban.

That looks like a nightmare waiting to come true imo.

 

[squaredeal91]

That looks like a nightmare waiting to come true imo.

What are your thoughts? I'm glad you said something. It got me thinking and I'm going to drill and tap a much larger set bolt to hold it to the box and see how I feel about it then.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Looks like a death trap to me it appears very dangerous. One errant rock or stick would lock the steering wheel. Obviously not made for "mudding". That is my thought about that. Hope the throttle don't stick. More for you!

 

[CheemsK1500]

@75gmck25
Borgeson does make a shaft for the earlier squares.

73-'78 Full Size Chevy,GMC Truck

1973-1978 Full size Chevy & GMC heavy duty telescopic steel steering shaft. Connects from factory column to steering box. Includes rag joint flange and billet steel universal joint. All Borgeson direct replacement steering shafts are made in the USA and have a 5 year warranty. WARRANTY

www.borgeson.com

 

[WFO]

Another question - My ‘75 K25 truck is too old to use one of the jeep steering shaft replacements, so I’m stuck with the rag joint. I assume I would need to replace the complete steering shaft with one from a newer truck, or is there some simpler way to make the conversion?

I'd just get a new rag joint, and be good to go for another 40 or 50 years.