Steering Box

Anyone else having problems with finding rebuilt steering boxes? Need one for my 74 D100. All the vendors show them out of stock. Steer and Gear wants $525 for a rebuilt box.

napa shows 2 std rotation and 1 reverse rotation. call them. you should have a local napa open on sunday. if out of town they should be able to free shuttle it in for u. all it costs is a call. they are reman unuts but also show new for 735.00

LMC shows them in their catalog, one new and the others remans-

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/dc/full.aspx?Page=26



Tim

Just an update

Went with Readhead Steering out of Auburn, WA. They carry Firm Feel level boxes. A little speedy but it’s looking like they sell quality stuff.

Did you call them to find out about the firm feel levels? I'm not seeing anything about that on their site, other than the different ratios available (15 or 18:1) : https://redheadsteeringgears.com/product/1972-1977-dodge-d-series-pickup/

Years ago I got a rebuilt box from someone else, and I still have about a palms width worth of back and forth when going straight down the highway.

I just got one from Advance Auto online last week. Going in today. Reverse rotation. Lares brand. Not too bad with the 25% coupon. I report back on quality when I drive it.

Lares used to rebuild the boxes in Arizona, you can call them and see if they will rebuild yours.

https://www.larescorp.com/

Heck it might be these guys are the ones in arizona:
https://benchworksteering.com/

Put the new box in. Much easier to drive. Firmer feel. Very satisfied.

Reverse Rotation?

I just put a remaned Lares power steering box in my 77 in place of the old manual box. Standard rotation and it works great. Bought it from rockauto. My understanding is reverse rotation is mainly a 4x4 thing.

It has to do with the position of the box, whether it is inside or outside the frame frame rail, and how the pitman is attached.

Reverse rotation.

My box was rebuilt by them, and I still have about a hand's width of play in the wheel

where is the slop? Is it from a loose sector shaft? Worm gear?

Pretty sure it's in the box. New (several years ago ) u-joint intermediate shaft & rag joint; just built an adjustable drag link to get the box centered while driving straight. Tie rod ends are also several years old, but I'm sure they're fine.

I think I just need to call redhead and talk about it.

You have to call them. Their turn around was about a week

As a follow up, I did call and talk to them a few days ago.

The guy I talked to didn't know much about specific 'firm feel' levels, but did mention they can add some resistance, so it takes more than a single finger to move the wheel.

The 18:1 box should take 1.5-2" on the steering wheel to change lanes, while the 15:1 should only take about 1/2".

They don't recommend the 15:1 with diesels, since the box has to do more work, and the heavier engine will stress it more. I just have a 318, but I do have a (heavy!) snow plow I use a couple times a year