Steering woes

2101 Views 27 Replies 8 Participants Last post by trife96, 6 mo ago

Taylormade1104

Discussion Starter · 6 mo ago

I’ve look on here trying to find somewhere on here with a similar setup. Ok. Just purchased an 06/07 6.0 dually with 172k on the clock. I’ve had it alil over a month now. It’s has a 8-10” lift 24.5” Alcoa wheels with 285/75r/24.5 semi tires. Also it just got inspected and passed at the beginning of the month. All my steering components looked great that were inspected. I’ve even gave them a look over and did a lot of pulling on the components to makes sure things were tight. However my steering wheel has a lot of play which is frustrating. The play started out from what I measured was about 3-4”. I’ve adjusted the steering box and maybe got alil out. I’ve done some research of upgrading steering box to red or blue head. However they have there issues also, I just don’t want to waist money on something I don’t need. I’m definitely open to any suggestions if anyone has a similar setup or knows someone that can help me clear this up. I know a lift has affects on the truck. However I see so many lifted trucks I can’t imagine everyone has steering issues. I greatly appreciate everyone’s responses.
Thanks

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

Hydro

· #2 · 6 mo ago

Would get underneath and have a helper "wiggle" the steering while you look for flexing or loose parts

Those 24.5 kinda make it look like a Tonka Truck ?

Reactions: 1

Heavy_GD

· #3 · 6 mo ago

That is a real steering wows, you dont need a similar set up to know that steering box is shot.
Post pics of this midlife crisis on wheels.

Reactions: 2

mlgjellybean123

· #4 · 6 mo ago

Yeah the box is definitely trashed. I haven't heard any negative things about the red head boxes, is it common?

GregWork

· #5 · 6 mo ago

You need some more beef:

www.powerstroke.org

F250 Steering gear box upgrade with 2016 6.7 gear box

This topic has been brought up a few times and I noticed many questions went unanswered. I wanted to create a new post that would answer any questions anyone had when it came to swapping out the original 6.0 steering gear with a newer 6.7 steering gear. My original steering gear was tired and...

www.powerstroke.org

www.powerstroke.org

mlgjellybean123

· #6 · 6 mo ago

GregWork said:
You need some more beef:

F250 Steering gear box upgrade with 2016 6.7 gear box

This topic has been brought up a few times and I noticed many questions went unanswered. I wanted to create a new post that would answer any questions anyone had when it came to swapping out the original 6.0 steering gear with a newer 6.7 steering gear. My original steering gear was tired and...

www.powerstroke.org

When I do mine, I'm doing the red head unless someone on here wants to sell me their 6.7 box for <500 dollars

Reactions: 1

Taylormade1104

Discussion Starter · #7 · 6 mo ago

Heavy_GD said:
That is a real steering wows, you dont need a similar set up to know that steering box is shot.
Post pics of this midlife crisis on wheels.

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Heavy_GD

· #8 · 6 mo ago

Nice!

bismic

· #9 · 6 mo ago

Wow !

Reactions: 1

Taylormade1104

Discussion Starter · #10 · 6 mo ago

Heavy_GD said:
Nice!

Thanks

TooManyToys

· #11 · 6 mo ago

I have to ask, how is the braking? Does it still have the OE-sized brakes on it?

RedHead quality hasn't been that great for more than a decade. For my '03, I'd go Blue, as I don't know if the 6.7 swap would work on a leaf spring truck without special consideration of the tie rod /pitman arm connection.

Reactions: 1

Taylormade1104

Discussion Starter · #12 · 6 mo ago

TooManyToys said:
I have to ask, how is the braking? Does it still have the OE-sized brakes on it?

RedHead quality hasn't been that great for more than a decade. For my '03, I'd go Blue, as I don't know if the 6.7 swap would work on a leaf spring truck without special consideration of the tie rod /pitman arm connection.

Braking isn’t an issue. Just the steering play. What I did notice, i rotated the shaft by hand while watching the steering wheel there is a delay where the shaft mates with the box until it engages. Could it be the splines on the shaft are toast or the box or both?

Hydro

· #13 · 6 mo ago

There will be a little "lost motion" in the steering input shaft -- this is how the valving operates for the power assist
you will see this as about 1 1/2" motion of the rim of the steering wheel, with the engine off

TooManyToys

· #14 · 6 mo ago

Have you checked if those are F-450/550 axles under the truck?

Heavy_GD

· #15 · 6 mo ago

the best thing I did in this situation was a gear box and a hydro assist ram.
It will never be like a new truck but it was safe to drive.

Taylormade1104

Discussion Starter · #16 · 6 mo ago (Edited)

Heavy_GD said:
the best thing I did in this situation was a gear box and a hydro assist ram.
It will never be like a new truck but it was safe to drive.

How much is that setup? Also Blue Top or Red Head. Really thinking about the conversion that member pasadenamike did with the 2016 steering box and new shaft. I’m just on the fence about all of it. I know it’s my decision just want it to be close as possible to normal

Heavy_GD

· #17 · 6 mo ago

Depends on the kit, 700 - 2Gs.

6.0 Diesel - 2005-7/2007 Ford F250/F350 Superduty 4x4 - Ford - TRUCK/SUV Steering Systems-SHOP ALL - Catalogs - Steering Systems

PSC Motorsports is THE leader in performance power steering. We design and manufacture complete hydraulic steering parts and kits for off-road, Jeep, circle track, muscle car and custom applications.

www.pscmotorsports.com

Taylormade1104

Discussion Starter · #18 · 6 mo ago

Heavy_GD said:
Depends on the kit, 700 - 2Gs.

6.0 Diesel - 2005-7/2007 Ford F250/F350 Superduty 4x4 - Ford - TRUCK/SUV Steering Systems-SHOP ALL - Catalogs - Steering Systems

PSC Motorsports is THE leader in performance power steering. We design and manufacture complete hydraulic steering parts and kits for off-road, Jeep, circle track, muscle car and custom applications.

www.pscmotorsports.com

Did you get the complete kit that’s on PSC site? Or did you use a different box and purchase just the ram kit?

Heavy_GD

· #19 · 6 mo ago

I run a red head with the add on kit.
I am hearing more and more issues with Red Head so maybe the kit is a better route.

There are tons of options

Taylormade1104

Discussion Starter · #20 · 6 mo ago

Heavy_GD said:
I run a red head with the add on kit.
I am hearing more and more issues with Red Head so maybe the kit is a better route.

There are tons of options

What’s going Heavy_GD I’ve decided to go ahead an order the Blue Top with the ports for assist steering. Should be here by the middle of next week. Also will those ports be plugged so I can drive and mount the assist steering later?

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 28 Posts