Blue Top vs. Motocraft Remanufactured Steering Gear

Over the weekend I installed a Cardone remanufactured steering gear and it didn’t really tighten my steering up as much as I had hoped. I think I am going to take it back. There’s still 3” or so of “free play” around the center point. Rag Joint, intermediate shaft, tie rods, ball joints are all new/confirmed good. Steering box is the last component it could be. I’m not sure how tight I can expect the steering to be but I feel like this much free play should be able to be greatly reduced. I can get a Blue Top or Motorcraft for roughly the same price after shipping and all are accounted for. (Motorcraft could be about $80-100 cheaper if I go with Rockauto instead of local dealer.) I know Redhead is an option too but they are more expensive and I have read several mixed reviews especially regarding the core return). Which would you guys choose?

Should be able to see where the slack is? And cardone stuff is REALLY hit and mostly miss.

Every old timer I know tells me never to buy cardone.

I’m seeing that now. But as for the slack, it is in the box. I can move the steering wheel (and shaft) about 20 degrees left and right before I see output on the pitman arm.

When I did mine the price for Motorcraft was absurd so I went with a NAPA unit at $170ish--no problems and tight steering 10k later. Only time will tell about long term durability.

I would have tried a Redhead but I needed the part "now" and didn't want to mess with a core return by mail.

I went through this battle a few years back. Replaced the steering box, inner and outer tie rods, rag joint, and had it aligned. No difference. Turned out to be slop in my shaft where it slips in and out. The flat spring was worn out and allowing play. Can't say that this is ur issue for sure, just something to take a quick look at

Remans are like that. They put a $40 kit in whatever junk they get back as a core. Best thing to do is get a feel for how to check for slop while you're still at the parts counter, so you don't drop cash until you have a good one in your hands.