Lets talk steering.

[warhog]

One of the few things left under the hood that I have not replaced is the stock steering. It leaks constantly, has dead spots, and is loose as a goose. Round these old country backroads, it's a damn hazard to not have good control of your steering. So lets talk upgrades.

Already decided on a redhead box and have been in talks with them so that part is covered.

What else should I give attention to? Seen threads suggesting different shafts, what's the difference, benefits? What else should I look to replace if replacing the shaft?

 

[towcat]

more than likely you have a ball and trunion halfshaft connecting between your column to your gear.
the 91 and up trucks as well as the service replacement halfshaft uses a mini u-joint and a steering biscuit or polyurethane or neoprene. that will tighten up any slop in the halfshaft.

 

[The Warden]

The bee's knees for a halfshaft is the Borgeson unit, but it's not cheap...if you can find a late-model halfshaft like towcat described that's in good condition, that's a worthwhile upgrade. Beyond that, you already mentioned the Redhead gearbox ...you'll also want to check your tie rod ends and axle king-pins (or ball-joints) for play, and make sure all bushings are in good shape.

Beyond that, I'd love to hear ideas as well. I'm willing to bet that most of your problems are in the gearbox, but even with a reman gearbox (parts store special I got before I knew any better, so the quality of the rebuild is suspect) and a replacement halfshaft in my truck and having been recently aligned/inspected and appearing to be in good shape, my steering has too much play for comfort. On the one hand, these trucks are never going to steer like a sports car; OTOH the F-550 buses at work have noticeably tighter steering than my truck does so I think it's safe to say that I have issues somewhere...

Definitely staying tuned to this thread

 

[warhog]

The bee's knees for a halfshaft is the Borgeson unit, but it's not cheap...if you can find a late-model halfshaft like towcat described that's in good condition, that's a worthwhile upgrade. Beyond that, you already mentioned the Redhead gearbox ...you'll also want to check your tie rod ends and axle king-pins (or ball-joints) for play, and make sure all bushings are in good shape.

Beyond that, I'd love to hear ideas as well. I'm willing to bet that most of your problems are in the gearbox, but even with a reman gearbox (parts store special I got before I knew any better, so the quality of the rebuild is suspect) and a replacement halfshaft in my truck and having been recently aligned/inspected and appearing to be in good shape, my steering has too much play for comfort. On the one hand, these trucks are never going to steer like a sports car; OTOH the F-550 buses at work have noticeably tighter steering than my truck does so I think it's safe to say that I have issues somewhere...

Definitely staying tuned to this thread

I guess my start would be to check diagrams of how our steering works and go from there. I'm not the most informed person when it comes to this stuff, I just know when something sucks or is broken and I want it better lol. All TREs have been replaced recently by the PO so we're good there. I think there's one that looks nasty and loose and could use replacing.

I figured it's a pretty basic set up, and if i'm going to take it apart, I might as well replace what i can instead of just "patching it" with a new box. shrug.

 

[The Warden]

I guess my start would be to check diagrams of how our steering works and go from there. I'm not the most informed person when it comes to this stuff, I just know when something sucks or is broken and I want it better lol. All TREs have been replaced recently by the PO so we're good there. I think there's one that looks nasty and loose and could use replacing.

I figured it's a pretty basic set up, and if i'm going to take it apart, I might as well replace what i can instead of just "patching it" with a new box. shrug.

I know exactly what you mean...I've been playing with diesels since I was 13, and I have a good understanding of the electrical system as well as disc brakes and wheel bearings, but steering and suspension systems are a rather steep learning curve for me. But, you gotta learn somehow, right?

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

The RedHead gear-box is a big step in the right direction.

Next big improvement will be a Flaming River steering-shaft.

I see by your signature that the truck is 2WD; I got a huge improvement in steering control when I installed a Rough Country (I think ??) DUAL steering-stabilizer = two huge heavy-duty shock-absorbers that connect between a frame-mounted bracket and the tie-rods.

Before I did any of the above mentioned, I replaced the twin-I-beam axle bushings, which were terribly worn out, plus the entire tie-rod/drag-link system, plus radius-arm bushings.

New Rancho shocks at all four corners were also a big help.

Good tight well-greased wheel-bearings are imperative.

Also, brand-new front brake rotors, pads, and braided stainless fluid-lines made noticable improvement in steering control under brake application.

 

[The Warden]

Next big improvement will be a Flaming River steering-shaft.

Given that I don't know anything about the Flaming River steering-shaft, forgive the dumb question...what difference is there between the Flaming River shaft and the Borgeson shaft? Is one markedly better than the other? What's the difference in price?

Thank you

 

[typ4]

they are equal quality. U haul had ONE late model new ford shaft I scored for cheap.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Given that I don't know anything about the Flaming River steering-shaft, forgive the dumb question...what difference is there between the Flaming River shaft and the Borgeson shaft? Is one markedly better than the other? What's the difference in price?

Thank you

I will put it this way:

I bought the DELUXE Borgeson and put it on my personal truck several years ago.

So far as doing it's job, I have no complaints.

However, even with the so-called shock-absorbing portion of the deluxe Borgeson, I still feel every little gravel in the road through the column; that is not necessarily a bad thing, it is just a fact of having a more truck-like shaft, as opposed to a mushy rotten rag-joint mess.

Also, when I recently had to remove the Borgeson to install my new RedHead, the shaft was tightly frozen and had to be driven apart (so much for supposedly being collapsible), and the thin tin cover over the shock-absorbing portion had shed it's rivets and was sliding around at will.

Still yet, the Borgeson is light-years ahead of any Ford factory shaft.

Some time after already spending my money on the Borgeson, I learned about the Flaming River shafts.

Just take a look at Flaming River's site and see for yourself; Flaming River's deluxe shaft is, in my opinion, by far the better of the two; it is just a superior design.

As soon as time/money allows, plans are to upgrade the shaft in my wife's truck; that upgrade will be a Flaming River.