I need a Steering box, info appreciated - Page 5

shenrie · 09-26-2018, 12:23 PM

^^^ both the versions im talking about are from Quigley. I believe the tubular ones offered on the later models are the replacements for the jenky ones I have that aren't boxed in.

still id love to hear rpa's thoughts on those one offs from ramsey. iirc, I believe those are the ones I spoke with john about later on and that they are fully adjustable.

either way, I also believe that having no way to adjust caster with the Quigley setup is also part of my late reaction steering issues. the rip package helped a ton, but theres still issues that need addressed.

arctictraveller · 10-25-2018, 09:54 AM

Update: I've installed the new Redhead steering box and on the first test drive, I discovered that while the steering seems tighter, (that is less wandering around), the steering wheel no longer returns to center by it's self. A quick call to Redhead recommended that I loosen the adjuster nut half a turn, this despite a tag attached to the adjuster nut warning that there is zero play in the box, any adjustment will void the warranty, a paint stripe on the threads to detect movement, and epoxy plugging up the end of the stud to prevent access to the adjustment socket. He said that if 1/2 a turn didn't help, try an additional 1/4 turn. If it still doesn't return to center, he said to send it back for replacement. I will say that it seems to steer much better, and additionally, with the Autozone rebuild, the steering wheel was no longer centered, but the Redhead box put it back on center again. So, I've loosened the adjustment but won't be able to roadtest for a couple days. All in all, I'm happy with the better steering, but a little disappointed having to make adjustments and possibly having to send it back for replacement.

arctictraveller · 10-29-2018, 10:53 AM

After loosening the adjustment, the steering now mostly returns to center on it's own, but perhaps at the cost of adding a slight bit of play. Still, there is much less play than there was in the two year old Autozone "rebuilt" box. I'll have a much better idea of how much improvement there is, in a couple weeks after I put on a few thousand miles.

Carl · 05-22-2019, 06:17 PM

Curious from those with steering box education!
My 2010 SMB steering wheel feels like my front tires are "scrubbing" when I begin to roll forward while turning either direction?

Reminds me of a rub while at full lock, but this is not any rubbing and occurs only going very slow and turning.

I do not see any fluid leaking on steering box and it measures full.

thoughts?

thanks,

JWA · 05-23-2019, 05:05 AM

Carl what's the make-up of your SMB? 4x4, lifted at all, tire size etc? Has this condition existed all along or recently noticed?

Carl · 05-23-2019, 05:51 AM

I may have figured it out. Turns out that the most common issue is binding in the intermediate steering shaft which has the 2 ujoints. Most people replace the box and unless leaking, don't need to.
This shaft issue can bind up and give the feeling I have or make steering sloppy or hard to turn wheel.
My issue started a year ago and is only at start while turning wheel.

JWA · 05-23-2019, 08:08 AM

Carl its kinda rare the inside u-joints have issues but even so you could be 100% correct. They might respond to lubrication.

If it comes time to replace them they're not cheap, at least not last time I checked--upwards of $85. You'd want to drop and pull the column all the way out for easiest access for removing and reinstalling the new parts. Given they've been in place for a while they might be a bit difficult to remove from their respective shafts. A bit of penetrating fluid a few days before the work begins might help.

Good luck with this!