What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Need New Steering Box - Which Brand Would You Recommend?

Aftermarket commercial rebuilt most chain stores including Napa is going to be A1 Cardone.
That's what I found when I was shopping.

I got a good one from Oriellys years ago.

Was the cheapest. They were all in a Cardone boxes including Napa. Did not check Autozone but I understand they are Cardone also.

I would go with the Redhead if I needed another. That's not a bad price for a quality box.
 
Sometimes messages get lost in the conversation, so I'll restate the message. I've read a lot of bad online reviews about AC Delco, Auto-Zone, and other chain store rebuilds, so I created this message thread asking you guys for suggestions. Several folks were nice enough to suggest Red-Head, so I spent a few days reviewing their online reviews. They rebuild the same exact gear box that you'll find at O'reillys or Auto-Zone, but IMO they obviously pay more attention to detail. The price was about the same too ($276 plus core).

Did I have to take days to purge the air out of my system? No, but like I said I hate gear box work, so I took the time to do mine right the first time. I've spent the last 3 months going through my entire steering system (new wheel bearings, ball-joints, tie rod ends, intermediate steering shaft, column bearings, column coupler, pump/hoses, and now gear box) because I wanted "like-new" (tight) steering, and now I have it. I guess maybe I'm a little too thorough on some repairs.
 
Last edited:
Glad you have had good luck. I need to do this. I'm on my second Delco after a warranty replacement, and they suck. Tried to adjust the latest one and just made it worse.

Will get a redhead when I get through the wedding.
 
Is this redhead box something completely different that is an improved box adapted from something else or is this just a stock box that has been rebuilt? If it's the latter of the 2, I'd bet money that they source the rebuild parts from the same place that the rest of the rebuilders do. It's not like there's much manufacturing on these parts. People would be surprised how many core items are rebranded, but all coming from the same source.

Doing it "right" doesn't include taking days to put oil into ANY hydraulic system. BUT, it was your project done your way and you are happy, thats what matters for you.

I source all my non dealer parts through my local Carquest (Now Advance). Starters, alts, power steering pumps, steering gear boxes, water pumps, etc for everything from pickups to 500HP tractors and combines. I've had very little issues. But, I personally think there is a difference between those Autozone/Kragens and what you get from places like Napa and Carquesthat serve automotive and more importantly Commercial and Industrial customers. It's a different customer base that won't tolerate junk parts.
 
Last edited:
My experience was that I got a box built by someone who took their time to set everything correctly, and was accountable for the end product. It wasn't just slapped together. Benchworks asked me what I was wanting for the end product, and what application.
I rebuilt a couple of boxes myself and I have never had a problem with them, but they don't have the same feel to them due to the builder knowing which torsion bar to install, and I would bet that they have other tricks.
My buddy on the other hand, has had 3 NAPA boxes fail on different ways over 4 years.
 
rjfguitar said:
Is this redhead box something completely different that is an improved box adapted from something else or is this just a stock box that has been rebuilt? If it's the latter of the 2, I'd bet money that they source the rebuild parts from the same place that the rest of the rebuilders do. It's not like there's much manufacturing on these parts. People would be surprised how many core items are rebranded, but all coming from the same source.

Doing it "right" doesn't include taking days to put oil into ANY hydraulic system. BUT, it was your project done your way and you are happy, thats what matters for you.

I source all my non dealer parts through my local Carquest (Now Advance). Starters, alts, power steering pumps, steering gear boxes, water pumps, etc for everything from pickups to 500HP tractors and combines. I've had very little issues. But, I personally think there is a difference between those Autozone/Kragens and what you get from places like Napa and Carquesthat serve automotive and more importantly Commercial and Industrial customers. It's a different customer base that won't tolerate junk parts.
Click to expand...

@rjfguitar... I followed Red-Heads instructions. Why don't you call Red-Head at (206) 926-3552 and explain to them how smart you are. That'll give you something to do today.

instructions.jpg
 
PWagon said:
@rjfguitar... I followed Red-Heads instructions. Why don't you call Red-Head at (206) 926-3552 and explain to them how smart you are. That'll give you something to do today.

View attachment 226993
Click to expand...
Well, I do already have plenty do, but I did manage to call them up. Their instructions are as follows, before connecting the drag link:

1. Fill the pump reservoir.
2. Cycle the steering wheel lock to lock 20 times are so, stopping every few to check and add fluid as the steering box consumes oil.
3. Fire up the engine, work the wheel lock to lock another 20 times or so and top off fluid level if needed.

It's literally a 5 minute job, not 3 days.

What you did was unnecessary and incorrect. Sorry this upsets you. Happy motoring.
 
Last edited:
good thread turned into pissing match! Yeah he might of went over board on bleeding system so be it he got the job done and is happy.

Let's move on as Redhead sells good built box and under priced compared to the other guys out there.

I Think this is a good thread for alot of people to read about with out bunch of moaning and groaning.
 
brans87 said:
good thread turned into pissing match! Yeah he might of went over board on bleeding system so be it he got the job done and is happy.

Let's move on as Redhead sells good built box and under priced compared to the other guys out there.

I Think this is a good thread for alot of people to read about with out bunch of moaning and groaning.
Click to expand...
And I'll go back to the beginning and ask the same thing. What is it that Red Head is doing differently than a quality rebuilder? Are these not stock boxes? Components are sourced somewhere else? A special "mod" done that is their proprietary idea? I just want to know what it is that supposedly makes them better rather than "they just are." I'm all ears. My K30's original box is starting to leak and it needs to be replaced. I've been perfectly happy with my Carquest box in my K5. I would like to know WHY I should spend more money for one from Red Head.
 
I'm done wasting my energy on crap like this... Good luck guys & girls on your builds and repairs.
 
Last edited:
Pwagon glad your happy with it! Remember as long as your Happy that is all that matters!
 
rjfguitar said:
And I'll go back to the beginning and ask the same thing. What is it that Red Head is doing differently than a quality rebuilder? Are these not stock boxes? Components are sourced somewhere else? A special "mod" done that is their proprietary idea? I just want to know what it is that supposedly makes them better rather than "they just are." I'm all ears. My K30's original box is starting to leak and it needs to be replaced. I've been perfectly happy with my Carquest box in my K5. I would like to know WHY I should spend more money for one from Red Head.
Click to expand...

From what I read on their website, they do take more time getting the tolerances to a better fit/ or setting.
I only looked at a few things since I was at work, but they seem to specify some of the steps that are done.
With my experience, the custom boxes are more what I wanted, and don't seem to have any downfalls.

Now I feel that you must decide if you would want to spend the extra money on a unit other than a parts store unit. Will you be extra critical of a more expensive piece?
Your choice has to make you happy, of course.

And I would hope that I didn't offend anyone with my comment about the bleeding procedure. I don't chastise anyone for following the directions from the builders, but I personally wouldn't wait that long. I say this with the experience of installing BOTH left and right hand boxes on mixer trucks at the same time, and needing to get the truck back to making money.

I am glad to see guys having good results with an important part!!!!!
 
Touchy, wish I had such problems.

Like I said I happened to get a good box from Cardone.

And I said I would go with a RH if I needed another Box.

With that said to some the extra 100+ extra bucks may not be in everyone's budget.

✌️
 
There seems to be a lot of judgement and opinions about the time I took on this repair. Simply put, I started and finished the gear box install in a little over an hour. I did keep an "eye" on the fluid level over the next few days just like a common sense person would keep an "eye" on the oil level following an engine rebuild. This does not make the repair "wrong". It just means I'm a cautious person. You all might be interested to know that spent the majority of my weekend finishing my son's go cart. Funny how impatient children can deter a man from working on his truck (like me working on mine). I don't appreciate being told I'm "wrong" just because I have other things going on in my life, and I'm not impatient with repairs. Plus my K5 is not a daily driver, so I can afford for it to be down for long periods of time (at my choosing). Here's the pics from the Jeep Willys go cart build. https://ck5.com/forums/threads/building-sons-jeep-willys-go-cart.329754/
 
Always going to be conflicting opinions and methods or whatever but thats what make it a forum, and interesting.

The jeep go cart is fantastic.
That's great that you have the ability and resources to accomplish such a project.

My dad was this way, we were always building or repairing something.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom