What steering box do I want? '72 K5

[stomper]

I tightened up the steering box to try and make my K5 less squirrly at highway speeds. Now, my steering box is leaking PS fluid like crazy around the output shaft. Does the leaking PS fluid make sense? I didn't realise PS fluid could get out there? I've tightened boxes before so I'm sure I didn't go too tight - there is just a little play in it.

I'd like to reseal/rebuild the original box but not sure what I'm getting into - maybe gears are worn. Want to avoid downtime right now and just swap in a replacement box. I remember reading that later years had either a quicker ratio or progressive ratio but too new model year and threads will not match for hose fittings. Also recall a "red hat" steering box? What do I want?

I've searched threads with no luck finding an answer to my questions.

Truck will be mainly street driven with some light off-road.

What is the ideal steering box?

Where is the cheapest place to get one?

Can I rebuild this one myself?

[Jtrux]

Any steering box up to late 80's will bolt on so it won't be hard finding one. The only catch is that starting in the early 80's I believe the power steering lines went to a metric size. I'm not 100% on when but I do know that there was a change somewhere.

If you're going aftermarket, I believe AGR makes them.

[stomper]

Thanks Jtrux.
I want the quicker/progressive ratio/improved (over '72) design but before metric fittings. If I go to Schucks Auto Parts and ask for say a '78 K10 steering box is that what I'll get? I suppose its a crap shoot so how can I tell its got the 'improvements'?
AGR's are like 400 bucks. Schucks are 170.

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by stomper

Thanks Jtrux.
I want the quicker/progressive ratio/improved (over '72) design but before metric fittings. If I go to Schucks Auto Parts and ask for say a '78 K10 steering box is that what I'll get? I suppose its a crap shoot so how can I tell its got the 'improvements'?
AGR's are like 400 bucks. Schucks are 170.

I've heard about the late 70's being the better but honestly it would be hard to tell if you really got the right one. Go AGR, it's just a couple extra bucks right???

I'm sure someone else will chime in and give a more solid answer to this question, I really want to know now too. My friend has an all original 76 4x4. Maybe there's a way we can look at it and see if it's the one and then use that for a reference.

[RED72blazer]

welcome from Seattle. "The Red hat" is actually Redhead steering gears . They are a family owned and operated business. I believe the number is 206-364-3333 that is off the top of my head.I've got one in my blazer and I've installed countless numbers of these over the years on customer cars. I highly recommend them. I've probably only had a problem with 3 or so over the last five or six years. One of them just happens to be the one in my blazer.

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by stomper

AGR's are like 400 bucks. Schucks are 170.

there is a reason for that, believe me. IMHO the shucks box isn't worth the time to install. cheaper does not = better.

I've noticed no difference in steering between a 76 blazer and my own. but they both are old and worn out. I would talk to redhead see what they say about the subject.

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by RED72blazer

I've probably only had a problem with 3 or so over the last five or six years. One of them just happens to be the one in my blazer.

that would be 3 out of 40 or so....

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by RED72blazer

welcome from Seattle. .

wow, you are totally not new. I guess I was excited about the prospect of another northwest member.

btw I hate the new edit rules.

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by RED72blazer

wow, you are totally not new. I guess I was excited about the prospect of another northwest member.

btw I hate the new edit rules.

Ditto, luckily the staff is very helpful, I pm'd a staff member and he was able to edit a post for me in another thread so I didn't keep typing them in although that would get a little hectic if I did it every time.

[Classic Heartbeat]

We cary the Red-Head steering gears. We have custom quick ratio steering gears made for our company that bolt right up. No modifications necessary. $299.95 plus $75.00 refundable core. WES

[JimmyFloyd]

I am interested in this as well. i need to get a power steering pump for mine first and the lines to see if my gear is good.

[stomper]

Thanks guys!

Wes: I went to your site first but didn't see the 'redhead' box I had noticed before. I'll check again.

RED72 - yea... I've got 1 month senority on ya ;-). No wonder I couldn't find 'red hat' - I had the name wrong.

Would still like to know if rebuilding this one is makes sense and what sort of 'stock' box is the shizzle. Otherwise the red head sounds like the winner.

[RLONG]

I hope that the steering box will solve your on highway driving. I changed mine with no difference checked balls everything come to find out rear springs were rocking back and forth. Spring pads were misaligned so i aliened the pads solved the problem. Good luck

[Green Monster]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

We cary the Red-Head steering gears. We have custom quick ratio steering gears made for our company that bolt right up. No modifications necessary. $299.95 plus $75.00 refundable core. WES

I purchased one of these from Wes three four years ago and installation was a snap. The new steering gear makes the steering more responsive because left lock to right lock is two less turns than with the old. I still have some slop in my steering. I think replacing the my pitman arm may help but I'm not sure. I have a 72 Blazer with 165K mi. and a lift. I have a feeling the steering will always be a bit sloppy.

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by Green Monster

I purchased one of these from Wes three four years ago and installation was a snap. The new steering gear makes the steering more responsive because left lock to right lock is two less turns than with the old. I still have some slop in my steering. I think replacing the my pitman arm may help but I'm not sure. I have a 72 Blazer with 165K mi. and a lift. I have a feeling the steering will always be a bit sloppy.

It couple be a few more things. Rag joints in the steering shaft may be worn out, tie rod ends as well could probably use greasing, replacement.

A freind of mine here in town (MTDAVE2) has a Longhorn with 55000 original miles and his steering is perfect so I know that they should be like that. I know my steering wheel moves a lot but that's one area I definitely want to improve on.

[stomper]

Dropped my steering box off today at 'Red Head' on my lunch break. Got a shop tour from the kid working there. He was young but sure seemed like he knew what he was doing. There were stacks of empty cases, gears, and shafts. Somewhat dirty and messy (my kinda place) but the important things were organized and clean. 2 ratios for our 4x4 trucks 18:1 (4 turns lock to lock) and 15:1 (3 turns lock to lock). Mine will change to 15:1 if not already.

Off topic but parked at a body shop next door was a new camaro. Had a paper tag in the rear window - it was just purchased

[Burt4x4]

Mine leaked like that too, I just went to Napa and spent the 180 on a replacement, worked fine.
Then I went 1ton and hydro asst. I bought PSC http://www.pscmotorsports.com
Great product! Would recomend, but like me you might need to save money for a few months to get their stuff

[stomper]

Put the new steering gear box in this weekend. BOY! What a difference! The truck responds instantly to steering imput. Absolutely no play in the steering wheel what so ever. I was a little concerned about having a quicker ratio in the short wheelbase at highway speeds making it darty but it is great - rock solid down the road! Even the wife noticed an improvement before she got out of the driveway. I had her take it for a spin - under my supervision of course.

[JimmyFloyd]

which did you go with?

[69TowRig]

All I did was replace the sector shaft seals on mine and it stopped leaking. Was less than $20.

[cleszkie]

Does anyone know if the 15:1 box will tax your power steering pump more than the 18:1 box. Seems like it needs to move more fluid and maintain more line pressure since you are loosing some of the mechanical advantage that comes with the 18:1 ratio.

[Classic Heartbeat]

It won't hurt your pump. The pump doesn't need to move any more fluid, probably less. The extra pressure that may be required would be so little that it doesn't make any difference.

Wes: I went to your site first but didn't see the 'redhead' box I had noticed before. I'll check again.

Here is the link: http://www.classicheartbeat.com/67-72_chassis_2.htm

It is in Chassis Brakes and suspention.. WES

[rikyric]

Originally Posted by 69TowRig

All I did was replace the sector shaft seals on mine and it stopped leaking. Was less than $20.

can you give me any more info on the "sector shaft seals " you are refering to and where to get them? I would like to try this on my box before I go spending $200 on a new one..

Thanks

[gmc1971harwich]

I know this is an old thread but I too am having a steering gear leak at the end right where the pitman arm connects. Leaking really bad any help would be appreciated

[franken]

Did you go to the nearest auto parts web site and look up PS gear rebuild kit? Or google seals for same?