A Single Drop of Oil Spells Doom...

[icanfixall]

As many know I have been asking more of my rig this past week with the load of blocks and sand for the wifeys raised bed garden... So yesterday I parked it with the front end down at the curb in the driveway. Today I see about a wuater sixe drop of oil under the front side at the steering gear area.. So a look see under there and I see oil just starting to drip off the end of the gear housing. I have felt more play in the wheel lately too so I'm guessing its the box about ready to gush oil... Now having the hydroboost brakes kinda has me thinking I should replace the box now before its too late and I loose the brakes because they are al powered off the same power steering pump.. Loosing the power steering fluid kills much of my brakeing. I know I have one or two pushes of the brake peddle before its completely lost all assist. I'm thinking the box made by red top is what I want to use this time. I read a post here about having that company in washington that builds these to port the box... Just what does this do and what are the results. What I'm wanting is an easier turning wheel with less effort to turn. I like how easy my 79 chevy 1 ton steers and its got much wider tires on it. They are the stiock 9.50x16.5 tires but it steers so easy. Any imput is welcomed before I call the builder and order something..

 

[OLDBULL8]

I thought GM uses the Saginaw pumps.IIRC

 

[79jasper]

Any imput is welcomed before I call the bulder and order something..

Some reason I read that too fast.
I thought it said "Any input is welcomed before I call the border and order something.."

Bout right for today's parts though.

 

[icanfixall]

There... I fixed the border issue.. Chevy does use the siganaw box. Thats probably why I like the feel of them. My trucks steering box has always felt it required more efort to turn it. Never looked at the steering wheel sizes.

 

[The Warden]

I'm thinking the box made by red top is what I want to use this time. I read a post here about having that company in washington that builds these to port the box...

FWIW here's the site you want

http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/

I plan to get my next steering gearbox from them...when I'm behind the wheel of an '04 F-550 bus that has tighter steering than my truck does, you know there's a problem

 

[Hyde]

I prefer the Ford setup really, the Chevys are almost too easy to turn IMO, I like a little steering feedback.

 

[riotwarrior]

Gary,

The Red head box is a nice one indeed.

Porting is for those of us whom plan to run BIG BIG tyres, and have 4wd so to assist the steering box, we have it ported so when we turn in a particular direction fluid then passes from the box to a hydraulic RAM attached to the tie rod from wheel to wheel and provides added force to assist the box and turn the big tyres.

If you got a read head box I'm sure you would be fine.

Al

 

[subway]

a drop, heck the leaking areas are the only ones that stay rust free on my truck i just replaced my box last month and it made my truck steer much better. i dont have to move the wheel back and forth to stay centered down the road anymore and it actually really improved my turning. i am not sure what was wrong with my old box but it alway turned left much sharper than right. not so anymore! now it turns nicely in both directions, and yes everything was splined one way so i could not screw up and be anywhere close to centered.

if the seal is just leaking that can be replaces if it is getting loose like you mentioned then its a good idea for a rebuild.

mine is just a local parts store box but i have heard nothing but good things about red head boxes.