Does it pay to rebuild steering box?

[unioncreek]

Does it pay to rebuild a leaking steering box or buy a re manufactured one?  If it pays to rebuilding them is there a bearing on the shaft that can be replaced?  Mine leaks some when turning when standing still.  I've had it on for about 100k before I put my steering box brace on.

 

Bob

[Mopar1973Man]

You might want to talk to @Blue-Top Steering 

 

He's got rebuild kits that allow you to do it yourself. Really easy.

 

[unioncreek]

Thanks Mopar1973Man.

[NIsaacs]

6 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

You might want to talk to @Blue-Top Steering 

 

He's got rebuild kits that allow you to do it yourself. Really easy.

 

 

Really easy? I wouldn't say that, and I have rebuilt numerous boxes from pickups to big trucks. Really easy, is misleading to a first timer, even if he is an experienced DIY. An FSM will be needed.

 

My local NAPA has seal kits in stock. You can get output, input or a master kit.

[Mopar1973Man]

I rebuilt numerous Ford ,Dodge and Chevy steering box they are easy as pie. The only thing that is time consuming is getting the 22 ball bearing back into the worm gear. That is it...

 

 

[NIsaacs]

26 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

I rebuilt numerous Ford ,Dodge and Chevy steering box they are easy as pie. 

 

 

For you it probably is, not so for a first timer. To suggest it is, might get someone over there head. If they are so simple why do we see complaint after complaint on rebuilt boxes? A good book with specs is a must, it is not something you want to tackle, blind. 

[dripley]

This is definitely one that I will not touch. I have gained a lot of confidence and here tackled projects I never did before. And much to my surprise the bulk of it has turned out well. Time is part of the reason but I sure woud hate to loose my steering while blazing down the interstate. It would not end well. Who knows when I retire maybe I will tackle one just to see.

 

Good instructions would be necessary. 

Edited July 1, 2019 by dripley

[Evan]

Just get a reman 1ton box

[dripley]

7 hours ago, Evan said:

Just get a reman 1ton box

The 2500 uses the same gear the 3500 does.

[Evan]

Well all be.

 

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/p-7083-red-head-steering-gear-box-94-02-dodge-ram-2500-3500-2869.aspx

[Mopar1973Man]

13 hours ago, NIsaacs said:

why do we see complaint after complaint on rebuilt boxes?

 

Because a rebuilder cannot set everything up in a loaded condition. In other words making the final adjustment taking the slack out. Even had the same thing happen with Blue Top Steering. I have to tighten the sector adjustment a 1/4 turn more. Hard to test on a bench test and then install to a truck and find there is some slack. They don't have a truck to bench test on. 

 

13 hours ago, NIsaacs said:

A good book with specs is a must, it is not something you want to tackle, blind. 

Stock steering box only has two adjustment which are listed right in the FSM book. Sector adjustment and bearing pre-load. Those are the only 2 adjustments. Typically the sector adjustment is left too loose to prevent over the center bind up.

[unioncreek]

The reviews on the Red Head gearbox are good.  I'll have to check them out a little more.  I'm just down the road from them, so I can just drive up and get one?

 

Bob

[Evan]

Nice.

I think I'll get one if mine ever quits

[Mopar1973Man]

Food for thought Blue Top does some of the work for Redhead IIRC.

[JD435]

On 7/1/2019 at 5:46 PM, Mopar1973Man said:

That is it...

Thanks for the impressive cut away...