Redhead steering box.

Turbojunkie77

New member
Jun 29, 2014
8
0
1
Braselton, GA
Yeah I have gone through 4 reman pumps and a new Redhead pump (it only lasted 3k miles) and I have yet to find a solution. I have just about reached a point where I don't care he much money it takes to rectify the problem but I'm going to some it work!! I contacted Howe Performance to see what types of options they have for me. Even though the idea of buying a $1100 pump is crazy I'm sick of spending my afternoons replacing them so I would do it. Once I get this figured out the hopefully my new Dmaxstore upper control arms will cure my alignment issues eating the inside of my front tires. Any one with any other ideas please shout them out as I'm all ears.
 

mackthehack

DUH...
Apr 16, 2007
831
0
16
I have about 30k miles on my redhead. It's holding up very well after some hard off roading and I take corners like a race car. With all the previous gearbox I've had in the past, I had to keep readjusting them until the output shaft got loose from the bushing being worn out. Redhead corrected thus issue by replacing the bushing into needle bearings which is much stronger and retains a solid steering feedback. The only issue I have now is the idler support and arm taking a crap. Time to upgrade the last steering piece.

Any updates on the Redhead box?
 

Ridin'GMC

I like red
May 20, 2010
636
20
18
MA
Still working perfectly. Almost 50k miles on it and no leaks. Steering is still tight. I still beat on it pretty good on corners and some off-road. It's cheaper to buy it directly from red head, even after core charge refund, it's around 250 bucks for the box I paid. Definitely well worth it.
 

mackthehack

DUH...
Apr 16, 2007
831
0
16
Thanks dudes! I think my box is taking a shit on me. I had it rebuilt and modified by psc for hydro assist over 60k miles ago. I need to get it rebuilt or try a redhead. Might try a redhead and send it to psc and have them modify it for my hydro assist. I'll check out agr as well.
 

c20elephant

C20ELEPHANT
Apr 25, 2013
2,065
0
0
Phoenix, Arizona
Has anyone ever thought of installing a high flow filter on the system, I installed one on my work truck years ago after going through several pumps and never replaced a pump afterwards. Also, power steering lines deteriorate internally well before any signs of external failure are apparent, with that said always replace the lines with a new pump or gear.

This includes the low pressure return line from the HB unit to the pump.
I'll bet none of us have ever replaced this line as it rarely if ever leaks is an expensive piece of molded hose and could be breaking down internally and trashing either the pump or gear..?

I have an idea for the filter, does anyone know of an inexpensive remote mount that will accept an Allison filter...??

Please chime in and let us know if you have ever replaced the low pressure line......:thumb:

Edit: Just checked the online price for the low pressure return line and is about $40-55.00, part number 15804953.
 
Last edited:

mackthehack

DUH...
Apr 16, 2007
831
0
16
Has anyone ever thought of installing a high flow filter on the system, I installed one on my work truck years ago after going through several pumps and never replaced a pump afterwards. Also, power steering lines deteriorate internally well before any signs of external failure are apparent, with that said always replace the lines with a new pump or gear.

This includes the low pressure return line from the HB unit to the pump.
I'll bet none of us have ever replaced this line as it rarely if ever leaks is an expensive piece of molded hose and could be breaking down internally and trashing either the pump or gear..?

I have an idea for the filter, does anyone know of an inexpensive remote mount that will accept an Allison filter...??

Please chime in and let us know if you have ever replaced the low pressure line......:thumb:

Edit: Just checked the online price for the low pressure return line and is about $40-55.00, part number 15804953.


Good info there. I'll probably look into replacing the lines as well. Also thinking about maybe a high pressure pump.
 

blownblue

New member
Oct 22, 2008
61
0
0
Acme, WA
On crawlers it is common to run a filter+cooler. I run a large resivoir and a filter to aid in keeping the pump from foaming the oil if it gets low then burning the pump.
 

Porno Joe

Member
Oct 11, 2010
513
0
16
South of Pittsburgh
the low pressure return line from the booster to the pump is simple bulk hose with 2 clamps. Can be bought by the ft in any decent parts store for about $5. replaced mine 5 years ago.

Edit: I looked up the part number on rock auto and it shows a molded hose for $45. was bulk hose on my truck when I bought it and that's what I replaced it with
 

THEFERMANATOR

LEGALLY INSANE
Feb 16, 2009
3,890
43
48
44
ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
Could take a look at a AGR steering box. The sb2 meant for highway speeds is made from new castings. I have their sb1 on my wrangler crawler and it works great even with the abuse I give it.

http://www.agrperformance.com/GM-4x4-AGR-Performance-MB-Motorsports.htm
Couldn't pay me to run another one of them POS's. Do a search on the DODGE boards, and you will find MANY an unhappy customer of AGR there. DODGE and GM used the same basic steering boxes for a long time. I know when I sent my AGR back to redhead, I was worried I wouldn't get my full core refund back because they said that AGR basically bastardized them when they build them. Yes they use new parts, but they use parts that were never meant to go together, and wear out prematurely because of it.
 

mackthehack

DUH...
Apr 16, 2007
831
0
16
Welp isolated my steering issues to the pos ballistic joints that got trashed and my bent to f@ck track bar. Track bar is supposed to have a slight bend in it. It looks like hammered dog sh!t now. I'm getting a new straight track bar built and going to run 1-1/4" heims with misalignment spacers.
 

RitzBlitz

Member
May 20, 2010
113
0
16
Ritzville, Wa
and also...we put a Redhead steering box on Schulte's truck and the POS was trashed after 30k miles. I still say that the best replacement for your money is a used low-mile factory steering box from a junkyard.

IMO no "remanufactured" steering box to date has proven that it lasts as long as a "factory new" unit.


Its pretty hard to find actual "NEW" factory steering boxes. If you go to the dealer or any parts store, they will give you a remanufactured box.

What would be the ultimate badass setup would be to retrofit a 2011+ HD steering box. They have a quicker ratio (I think its 16:1, the 2010 and older HD boxes are like 20:1 or something???), much bigger/stronger. Unfortunately it wont bolt on to the 2010 and older frames...so you would need an adapter plate and some custom fab stuff.

Supposedly PSC was working on a 2011+ steering box retrofit kit, but they kinda shelved it due to the fact that they felt no customers would want to pay as much as it would cost for the kit.

Ben

Bumping an old thread. Looks like PSC just released the SG039 and it is advertised to have the 16:1 ratio. Advertised 100% new as well.
 

c20elephant

C20ELEPHANT
Apr 25, 2013
2,065
0
0
Phoenix, Arizona
Bumping an old thread. Looks like PSC just released the SG039 and it is advertised to have the 16:1 ratio. Advertised 100% new as well.

That's a real slow gear if it is 16:1 lock to lock, the variable ratio is best suited for our trucks. GM used the 16:1 ratio in the cab chassis model trucks, this is for 2001-2010 trucks.

You can get a 12:1 box and does not come recommended for trucks due the poor handling characteristics of trucks in general. If you're lowered with front and rear sway bars you should be OK, moparkxracer has a 12:1 box in his truck..

If and when mine bites the dust I will install a 12:1 box, to go with it I have some large front and rear sway bars on mine, if you're lifted stay away from a 12:1 box, too fast of a box at high speeds (above 95 mph).
 
Last edited:

THEFERMANATOR

LEGALLY INSANE
Feb 16, 2009
3,890
43
48
44
ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
I've got the stock 15:1 in mine, and have no complaints. I had the 13:1-16:1 variable ratio before, and it was nice, when it worked. Talked to redhead, and they said the variable ratio boxes were never meant for heavy trucks, hence why they don't hold up. I know AGR sells the variable ratio boxes, and they have a BAD reputation for holding up in full size diesel trucks.
 

messejme

Jazzy, Me and Max
Mar 7, 2008
741
0
16
Branchburg NJ
On crawlers it is common to run a filter+cooler. I run a large resivoir and a filter to aid in keeping the pump from foaming the oil if it gets low then burning the pump.

Toyota used a 4' long aluminum 19mm OD pipe bent in a U below the radiator on the return line to cool the fluid on the 1/2 ton pickups mid 80's.