18510 (3 Turns): 1980-2005 AMC, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Isuzu, Jeep, Oldsmobile or Pontiac Steering Gear

I usualy don't do reviews, but when a product that I, as well as family and friends have spent hard earned money for, after wasting hard earned money at xxxx parts stores in town and on amxxxx for on-line rebuilds, I find myself with yet another old high-miler, and this time im going straight to the Redhead!
About 5 (i think) yrs ago I went with the amaxxx on-line rebuilt and then the in-town parts store rebuilt to replace the steering box on the 2001 F-250 I had just bought.
I am a retired heavy equipment mechanic and I know how to do a bench adjustment procedure so I checked the store gearbox before installing found the bearing preload was about 50" lbs over spec! And you can feel a huge difference while turning steering shaft. It sets up what is called a 'slip-stick' situation. When bearings are too tightly pre-loaded on a shaft, the shaft is initaly difficult to turn (resistance) and then 'breaks free' and requires much less torque to rotate.
A 'slip-stick' preloaded bearing is never desireable, and not acceptable in a steering box! I returned it to the parts store for a refund and orderd one on line from the 'Jungle Giant'. What I got was some ones old greassy core! Sent it back for a refund.

I had always heard about the Redhead from my son's off-road buddies and guyys I knew from our local sprint car track. I decided to do some research and I ordered one.
Saving money is a good thing, but driving straight down the road one handed is worth a lot more than just a few bucks!

So now I bought this old 99 cherokee xj to rebuild and it needs a new steering box so guess what I am ordering!
Thanks Redhead!

I bought a Readhead box for my Excursion years ago and decided to buy one for my 97 Cherokee. Its been awesome for 5k miles and I expect years more of trouble free service.

I installed one of the standard versions of this steering on my 1999 Blazer. After 3,500 miles and three months, it has been working fine. There is no slop in the steering and the truck drives like new. Before you install one of these be sure you have checked for other components that could be loose including the rag-joint.

Here is some advice for the installation:
* You'll likely need a larger torque wrench that goes up to about 185 ft-lb and a socket large enough for the pitman arm nut. Ask Redhead what size socket you'll need.
* When installing the pitman arm, put the pitman arm in a vice so that you do not accidentally rotate the pitman arm shaft while tightening it, as the gear comes centered and you don't want to loose that setting.
* If you are also replacing the power steering hoses, test fit the them to the gear before installation to be sure they thread on easily. I did not do this and I couldn't be sure if my difficulty getting the hoses started was because I had the alignment wrong for the hose to the pump or if there was too much paint in the threads on the steering gear. You might as well chase the threads for the hose fittings while you are at it.
* Get hoses that are preformed with the necessary bends. The return hose in a Blazer has to make a several sharp bends in a tight space. If you are not careful the hose can get a kink in it.
* To make getting the steering gear out and back in easier, I disconnected the remote oil cooler lines. You will need a new gasket when you reconnect them.

Things are junk. Went through 2 of them under warranty and now that warranty has ran out, Im left with a leaking groining steering box that still has play in it. Should've kept the original mopar box. I'd steer clear of redhead.

I have to say the steering on my XJ  reminds me of my M5's steering super tight and very responsive. Wow Read head where have you been all of my life? Stop wasting your money on rebuild kits or trying to make things work from the junk yard. I am very pleased with this product I would recommend all of the XJ owners to go with Red Head you will not be disappointed. Very easy to install if you know what you are doing took me 40 min follow there instruction and you will have a big smile on your face. Thank you Read head you got a customer for life.

Death wobble gone on my 1993 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0, 4WD  6cyl!  Yo REDHEAD is the way to go!  Solved all problems!  Worth the money and effort!

I spent so much time and effort on cheap rebuilds from other online stores that were painted black but so worn out I could even drive my xj straight down the road.

Anyways but a redhead and you ll be so happy you did.

I had tried  the parts store rebuilds and they were junk within a year. Seemed expensive, but well worth the money. My Cherokee drives like new again.  

After 9 months of using two “rebuilt” steering gears…. One from advance auto and one from Autozone I dropped the cash and purchased a redhead unit….. in a word I was “dumb” to wait
This long…. The other “rebuilt” gears from auto parts stores are complete junk compared to this unit… my steering is amazing now… my Jeep xj is on 33.12.5x15’s and handles amazing now… drop the coin and purchase this gear and stop wasting time and money on other rebuilds. I went with the “stock” box and no Durango box or other voodoo. Just the original…