Steering gearbox upgrade ?

[lurpy1]

I have been looking around and havent found it recently but did a while back but to hell with me if i cant find it....

I need to upgrade my steering gearbox on my 99.5 f250sd. is a 4x4 with the 7.3l I have excessive play in the wheel and have tightened the gearbox past acceptable trying to fix it to no avail. i need to replace the box now. all he other parts are new hahaha.. new ball joints, wheel bearings, tierods, draglink... just about everything...

so what i need to know is what to get... i have heard redhead but i wasnt too impressed with the dude over the phone. does anyone have a good idea on what i should be getting?????

[INFRNL]

I got a redhead and very happy with it. The only thing I do not like is the typical turn the wheel a lot to barely turn.
There is another co but they say you need to port your hydroboost unit.

[lurpy1]

Thank you infrnl .... ive decided i'm going to get one a redhead i mean i'm hoping that will fix the problem. I may have to do the pump aswell later it seems to be getting weak but thats a problem for later hahaha

[INFRNL]

No problem. I would normally say go oem, but I have heard a buncfh of problems with oem pumps lately. I have never heard anything bad about redhead. Yes when you call the guys may seem different or not what you'd expect, but they are helpful and didn't have any issues.
This will definitely fix the play in your steering. I had excessive play in my wheel and tightened the original with no luck. I now have zero play; might even be better than new.

I was going to get an oem pump but they were on back order about a month ago. Been doing fine. Make sure you grab 5 qts of tranny fluid and do a good flush. This will help the pump and the brakes since they both use the hydroboost unit.
There is a good flush write up running around; just look for it and you will be set. You will need a big wrench to take off the pitman arm bolt. I do not recall actual size, but its over an inch. I want to say 1-3/16" wrench, but I might be mistaken. A big cresent wrench will work also.

[lurpy1]

thats a lot of good info... i would not have thought of doing the back flush would help with the brakes... i was gonna try and figure out how to flush it cause i'm sure its the original fluid, i know i havnt changed it.

if i do have to replace the pump (hoping i dont) i'm gonna upgrade that too... oem is good but there is a lot of complaints and i personally think its underpowered but that is just me... hoping its all fixed.. ordering the gearbox tonight when i get ahold of my wallet again hahaha.

[champelite210]

Red Head for me also. Been very happy