Best Steering Gearbox: RedHead VS Blue Top VS PSC VS Reman
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- Опубліковано 17 вер 2020
- I spent a ton of time researching the best box to replace the leaking power steering gearbox on my 2007 Chevy Silverado. In this video I explain why I choose the Blue Top Box over other options like factory reman, PSC or RedHead.
Product Link: amzn.to/2EKlyPv
FROM BLUE TOP
bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dca...
1-YEAR UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY
RETURN SHIPPING FOR CORE IS NOT INCLUDED
FOR PHONE ORDERS PLEASE REACH OUT TO SOME OF OUR DISTRIBUTORS BELOW: (ALL ORDERS ARE DROP SHIPPED FROM US SO IF IT ISN'T IN STOCK ON OUR WEBSITE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE ORDER THROUGH OUR DISTRIBUTOR.)
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Blue-Top Steering Gears - Product Index
2870BC 99-07 Chevrolet 1500, 01-06 Suburban, 02-06 Escalade
18510NN 80-02 Jeeps exc CJ
2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500 gearbox mounting bolts
2552 80-86 Jeep CJ
2553 99-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2750 65-69 Ford 2x4 Trucks (Bendix)
2751B 68-79 F-100, F-150, F-250, F-350 2x4
2753B 78-79 Bronco, 76-79 F100/F-150 4x4
2754B 77-79 Ford F-250, F-350 4x4
2757 80-97 Ford F-series Trucks, Broncos & Rangers
2759 72-77 Ford Bronco Saginaw Steering Gear
2761 73-76 Ford F-100/F-150 Garrison Control Valve
2762 74-77 F-250, F-350 4X4 Power Steering Control Valve
2764 97-00 Ford F-250 & F-350 W/ 32 splined output shaft
2764BS 01-05 Ford Excursion
2764BS 99-04 Ford F-250 & F-350 Super Duty w/ 36 spline sector
2766 97-03 F-150
2768 05-07 Ford F-250 Super Duty & F-350 Super Duty
2769 08-10 Ford F-250 Super Duty & F-350 Super Duty
2771 73-76 F-100 F-150 Steering Cylinder Garrison
2772 74-77 F-250 4X4 Power Steering Cylinder Bendix
2773 11-16 Ford F-250 F-350
2856SNI 80-93 Dodge D & W Series Trucks
2864 88-99 C/K 1500 & 92-99 Suburban 1500
2869 94-02 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 2X4 & 4X4
2870 99-07 Chevrolet 1500, 00-06 Suburban, 02-06 Escalade
2872 99-07 Chevrolet/GMC 2500HD & 3500HD 4x4
2873 08-10 Chevrolet/GMC 2500HD & 3500HD 4x4
2879 03-08 Dodge Ram 2500 & 3500 Truck
68-79 2X4, 76-79 F-150 4X4, 77-79 F-250, F-350 Ford Gear Seal Kit
73-79 Steering column lower bearing
80-91 Ford Trucks Steering Column Bearing
Bendix Control Valve Mega Rebuild kit
Bendix Control Valve Basic Rebuild Kit
Bushing kit for Ford truck steering cylinders
C6TZ-3E500-A 65-69 Ford 2X4 Trucks Bendix Steering Gear Kit
DPS GMC/Chevrolet medium duty trucks up to 1979
DPSM 80-90 C60 C70 C6000 C7000 METRIC
DPSM Topkick/ Kodiak
Description
1999-2007 Chevrolet 2500 & 3500 HD 4X4
Re-manufactured steering gear with 3 master spline output shaft. If yours has 4 master splines please select so in drop down menu. Re-manufactured using over-sized ball bearings precisely fit to eliminate play in worm and piston assembly. OE style seals. Bench tested for pressure, power balance, internal bypass and play. Cores returned with wrong spline count on output shaft will result in reduced core charge.
DAMAGED OUTPUT SHAFTS DUE TO PITMAN ARM REMOVAL WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN 50% CORE CREDIT. (MUSHROOMED, CRACKED, CUTS, BROKEN THREADS)
Please visit our Core policy page for core information.
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Thanks for the info and sharing your research
Yea I been hearing alot of ppl complaining about Redhead steering boxes. Especially on the f250 trucks like what I run.. Many ppl don't recommend these after owning one. So I decided to wait on buying one. Leaning towards Bluetop now
Was going to go with a red top but like you said a lot of people are pissed with them now so I just ordered a blue top for my excursion
I've had a redhead in my 86 F250 for 9 years now and never have been particularly impressed with it. It's got 20,000 miles on it now and starting to get sloppy fast and its always had this over cammed feeling steering straight or in a slight turn no matter the preload adjustment. If you adjust it so the slop is mostly gone it's too tight, if you adjust it so the over cammed feeling is almost gone its loose as a goose. I definitely wouldn't buy another one even if they are only 5 miles away from me. I guess I should have complained about it or had it exchanged, but it's definitely not near as good as when it was brand new.
After 5 minutes its a ramble
The ears on top under the 4 bolt cover is a steel crush type gasket, the ears just holds and index the gasket. The un-painted mount lug is most likely where they held it to paint or a ground point for powder coat. The number one thing in 3 1/2 decades of resealing or rebuilding these is the lower housing is worn on the front & rear. It is now egg shaped and machining it, pressing a bushing in with thread locking sealant before installing the needle bearing cage and the seal group is overlock all of the time. It works great for a while but larger tire or pushing snow places a huge lateral load on this housing. The pitman arm wants to push forward or pull backwards towards the cab. These forces are huge and the housing takes the wear. I would put the cross-shaft in with a dial indicator to look for movement. It added $100 dollars as we had to drive it to the machine shop that we used. They made a fixture to hold it still and machine & press in a steel bushing. Still dripping in solvent but never had a come back. And this was during the early 70’s at a 2 man shop with 22 mile drive one way to the machine shop. The added time, expense and four trips did not make us money but was passed at cost to the customer.
ASE master since 1978, retired.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Email should be on the About tab on my main page. You can also DM me on Instagram.
Nothing but Redhead steering gear box in all my trucks here, great boxes great company.
Glad to hear you have had good experiences with the Redhead. It was on my short list for replacement brands.
A lot of people in my Ford groups are saying they are pos now and to go blue top as blue top can’t ever keep any in stock due to the demand
@@tylermartin9474 blue top was working for Redhead and left so he’s now doing the same but Painting blue. I’m a loyalist and when they treat me right and product is good I will stay true. I’ve been with red head for many years and I have nothing bad to say, when something went wrong they stood behind it and made it right.
@@calevel one guy recently had to replace his red head 3 times in his excursion before they sent him one without issues, they may have made it right in the end but 3 times? That’s scary, guess you got the better luck then!
@@tylermartin9474the problem with listening to people who have stories like that is you have no way to know if the guy is just a bozo who, before installing the 3rd box, went "man, I can't possibly have gotten 2 bad boxes in a row, right?" And then does the due diligence he should have done before the first box, discovers that his steering shaft is bad, or his tie rod ends or drag link are bad, or whatever, and then fixed the other issue and installs his new box, and out of embarrassment just pretends like it was never his fault and says "well, fkn redhead finally sent me a decent box. We'll see how long this one lasts."
This is why most parts manufacturers won't even honor a warranty for DIYers, because so many of them are incompetent a-holes.
Had a very bad experience with Redhead both product and customer service. Like a previous poster they couldn't be bothered to help me solve the issue with the DOA unit they sent me. Cost me twice to reinstall the old unit which was far better than a "Redhead" remanufactured unit" Still looking for a good solution.
I currently have a red head on my 04 Duramax with 37’s. It’s about 6 years old and began dumping fluid out of pitman shaft. Thinking about trying the blue top
Did you end up trying a blue top? I'm on my 3rd red head steering gear in less than a year. Every single one of them has insane play in the sector shaft.
@@SuedoTTV I ended up with a red head again, the blue top was out of stock and was too far out for me to wait. The current red head I got has been good! I did lower my front end down so my tie rods aren’t at an extreme angle
AutoZone lifetime warranty ! I have did mine 3 times
Not a job I want to do more than once. I don’t care if it’s free the first time.
First Time Viewer. Nice to see you mention Redhead and PSC. Blue Top appears to be the best value for the dollar. Tip: Read instructions and colored tags prior to making video. Refer forward @ 9:02 You state, "this guy is painted, marked in that straight position, so I'm sure this has been indexed, so it's in the midway point already". Refer back @ 5:48 the pink Installation Notice which states...steering gearbox needs to be installed with wheels in straight position and steering wheel in a centered position. The gearbox is shipped on center with a blue paint mark on input shaft and onto housing. These blue lines should line up during install and when driving straight.
How’s it been performed so far? I’m going to need to replace mine soon. Any recommendations would be highly appreciated. Thank you
It has worked well without issue for me.
I bought a redhead for my 02 silverado lb7 about 3 years ago the first one lasted less than a year.. they warrantied it and i put the new one in but it was loose I called them and they instructed me on how to adjust it. After I adjusted it its been good since then hopefully it lasts I definitely don't want to replace it again...
Did you try to adjust the old gear box at all?
@@Powerstroke431 the old gear box had the large nut at the input shaft back off and it was leaking fluid from there
Maybe rebuild the second box and port it for Hydro assist. Should reduce the load on the box itself.
My first(and last) redhead was DOA. They couldn't be bothered to answer the phone or return my call, so I've moved on. They seem to be losing in the QC and service department, just like the ones supplying the national chains, so I'm sending a box to a smaller shop for a custom build. Building these boxes isn't rocket science, but if you're not looking for factory performance then it's no longer one size fits all. They can set it up to perform the best for your application, tap it for hydro assist, change ratio, valving, etc. I'm using Benchworks, but there's Lee and many others out there.
Also, GM did paint engines blue in the late 70s and into the 80s. i think it was called corporate blue.
Problem in the industry - The experienced professionals are retiring off or being released due to cost cutting, and too few want to learn a trade or work. This has put a tremendous bind on the companies. As a consequence, It's only going to get worse.
This is true with many service based industries.
Yeah, I had a similar experience with Redhead 10 years ago on my 2005 F250. In this case, your paying for a paint job and seals. And the first unit they sent me ended up being a leaker. 99.8% of the issue with steering gears is drift caused by the sector gear and worm gear mesh wearing out at the 12 o'clock position which is where 99% of your driving time is spent. Redhead doesn't touch the sector gear or worm gear. My redhead ended up becoming a door-stop after about 12k miles, and it sucked at that too!! I don't know anything about Blue Top, and maybe they're fine, but I've had a Cardone (new, not reman) installed for over 100K miles and I've been happy.
@@danb372 The Blue I have is working fine. 3 months now. Nice and tight, the way the rig was when new. I actually have to put some effort into steering it now, unlike the worn out original that had 305,000 miles on it.
@@danb372hows the cardone one holding up now?
Thank you!
FYI - I called PSC Motorsports and talked to Daniel in the technical support department to ask some questions. Turns out, PSC does not make steering gear boxes for all applications. Two Examples: PSC only has gear boxes for older Ford trucks with the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel engine. No gear box for older Ford Super Duty or Excursions with 5.4L V8 gas; 6.8L V10 gas or 6.0L V8 Powerstroke diesel engines. In addition, no gear box for 1999 - 2007 Super Duty or 2000 - 2005 Excursion with a trans planted 7.3L godzilla gas engine with either the 6R140 from a E-Series van or 10R140 from a Super Duty.
Great info!
Merci beaucoup pour votre video 😁🌈👍
How’s the box holding up after a year? Thanks bob 👍🏻🇺🇸
Doing great! I had some play in my steering but a new pitman arm fixed that. Now my truck feels like new!
Have you heard of Howe performance power steering? I was thinking of purchasing from them
Nice vid. Are they only doing like 2500 and heavy duty modals or are they making them for 1500? I have a Tahoe 1500 and was wondering
Check out their website.
I’m wondering if anyone knows if there’s a major difference between the red head heavy duty steering pump it’s like 800 and something dollars and the one that’s like $500. I have an 08 dodge ram Cummins 2500 ,Running 38 x 13 1/2 wide I’m wondering which one I have to get or if there’s another better option or something because my steering has been loose but now it’s snapped that bolt completely
The heavy duty has larger gear, making it easier to turn this extra large tires. I also belive it's hot higher pressure so the steering is easier on you. You'll just be doing this again if you don't go with heavy duty gear box.
How is that steering box working out for you? Looking at getting one for my XJ.
Good so far!
I came here to do some research for my 96 xj as well lol
I bought one from autozone and my truck still have play so i just watched this video i will order one from bluetop and a question, my truck is a 2004 chevy silverado 2500hd 4x4 diesel so which one i need the 3 master splines or 4?
Did you ever get the answer ad far as 3 or 4 splines?
What is the best to use for 2001 silverado 5.3 ls steering gearbox atf or ps fluid?
Power steering fluid is just clear ATF. Check the specifications and you'll see.
Most manufacturers dip to paint they dont usually use spray guns. They will dip 100's of parts at one time.
Hydroboost... Thats what you mean when you mentioned it works with your brakes.
Yes, I need to learn more about how this system works because I don't completely understand how it is connected together.
@@ThriftyGarage brakes work the same as a regular ole booster except instead of using engine vacume to assist it uses pressure feom the powersteering pump. So instead of thay big round vacume booster your going to have a hydroboost booster. These sustems are found in diesal vehicles, vehicles with large cams and not enough engine vacume and also vehicles where its not enough space for a vacume booster. My truck has the same basic setup.
@@ThriftyGarage The fluid goes in and makes the little whirly thing go weeee which make pressure to move stuff connected to the doohicky. Not too complicated
It all makes since now! Thanks for sharing. I don't know that a better description exists! 😉
How is it now 8 months later, how many miles on it?
I’ve put about 10,000 miles on it. No leaks or any other issues. Since then I’ve put on a new hydro boost unit. I think it also needs a new power steering pump. Needless to say the steering and suspension on these trucks is lacking. It’s a 15 year old truck but only has 150k miles on it.
Blue goes with Cheve? Ever notice the Ford logo?
Ya they circle the problem and highlight it in blue
Can't go wrong with Redhead or Blue top. I put a Redhead on my Jeep and so far it has been fantastic. What ever you do NEVER buy an AGR steering box or anything for that matter.
I've had an AGR box ony K3500 for ten years now. No problems.
@@williamtaylor9368 I am a steering and suspension tech at a Jeep/Ram dealership. We stopped dealing with AGR a few years back. Probably half of their boxes we installed failed within the first year and their customer service is almost non existent. We got tired of customers being angry at us for not getting a replacement box in a timely manner. Had very few problems with Redhead since we have been dealing with them and the problems we have had they have made right is a prompt manner.
That’s great feedback on Red Head!
Not Redhead!
You should do a 2022 update video on this. Curious as to the longer term durability
Wouldn’t be much of a video. Literally set it and forget about it. I haven’t had any issues to speak of. Steering is tight and no leaks! Maybe I’ll upload a short.
10 mins of my life ill never get back.
Welcome to the world of UA-cam!
The reviews from red top were 71 and the reviews from blue top or 19.So how would that been accurate.
Reviews dont mean anything there are companies that you can hire to drown out negative reviews.
I prefer transmission fluid instead of power steering fluid. It does not foam up nearly as bad.
It will ruin gm pumps. They are not designed for atf.
That is an idiot! @@gregmecham5556
what is Bluetop warranty?
According to their website: "Our product warranty is 12 months (unlimited miles) and does not include any labor costs."
I bought a Blue Top box with high expectations but it came with almost a couple of inches of play in the steering wheel.
That is unfortunate to hear. Did you reach out to the company to see what they had to say?
Mine has a couple inches of play with the original one on lol.
With all due respect, PS fluid is a mineral based oil that hasn't changed significantly since it was used as ATF in the old fluid drive transmissions of the 50s. It was called Type A back then. The only difference between different brands is some additives, which are fairly insignificant. The AC Delco fluid is probably from the same plant as the Walmart/O'Reilly's etc. Flushing the system and installing an inline filter on the return side of the pump will do way more for the life of the pump thana certain fluid can.
Sounds like sound reasoning.
O'Reilly's has them for 1999 zr2 s10 4x4 for $200-core
I'm not putting an s10 gearbox in my 3/4 ton truck... Maybe one out of a Ford Ranger but no way one from an s10 would hold out!
Good luck getting any warranty with Blue top. As of 9/1/2023 they are out of business. Should have went with Red Head
Wow! I had to see if what you said was true. Sure enough this is what their website said "We will be reducing inventory and closing our doors permanently due to shortage of help. We will still be accepting the core returns and
helping with warranty issues. We appreciate the many years of continued business and friendships."
@@ThriftyGarageThis is happening to everyone. Our economy is screwed. Better get prepared with a store of food and water, tools and parts
@@ThriftyGarage It must have changed in the last two weeks. It doesn't say they are closing their doors. It says, "We will be reducing inventory until we are able to get more help. Please be patient with us as we try to keep up with the demand."
this review really shows and tells nothing
Was this video a comparison or a commercial?
More of a "Why I decided to buy this, instead of that" Hard to compare when you don't actually have two units (or two trucks for that matter).
4 staples in the box? I definitely have to go with Bluetop 😂
You might laugh but when I bought my Curt hitch it arrived missing half the hardware kit...
So you're doing a comparison between redhead and blue top but all you do is talk about the blue top. I failed to see the comparison
I researched both extensively. After my research I elected to go with the Blue Top. I based my comparison on the research I did and the google reviews and other forums and groups online. You can do your own research if you like. This was simply my outcome.
Plews-Edelmann. New, not reman. 100 year/1,000,000 mile warranty. Made in USA. Part # 3003 for that truck.
How can you have so many followers as a "garage" channel when you're having your mechanic install a gearbox? Waste of time...
It’s not a mechanic channel. Although I did end up installing the steering gearbox myself. Though I didn’t film it. The channel is a mix of everyday repairs, how to’s and reviews. My primary income is provided by a landscape business. When scheduling doesn’t permit that I make the repairs myself I will pay a shop. It’s a business decision. UA-cam revenue doesn’t pay nearly enough to cover all my living expenses.
Blue does not go above 2008 .
When putting weight on reviews, you must take into consideration the actual number of reviews on the comparaed items.
MY RED HEAD ON MY 2nd gen cummins is complete shit i am not happy at all and will be buying the big bore 6 bolt
If I had the money I’d do PSC.
@@ThriftyGarage yea i am. Years ago i thought redhead was good but i really think its just those dodge boxes are just not a good design for those heavy front ends. Psc it is man. I put the exact same one big bore on my 2008 6.7 3500 cummins and it was no play at all zero i was amazed
We call that a rattle can overhaul 😂😂😂😂
Have had 2 redheads. Both junk. Shopping replacements and find the guy who owns Bluetop used to work for Redhead.
I’ve heard PSC is the best you want to coin up. 🤑
Sevy chilverado
Yea, it’s a tongue twister! 👅 🌪
Redhead only gives 1 year warranty
Seems like a pretty apples to apples warranty with Bluetop. Here is what the Redhead website says: "Our warranty is 12 months (unlimited miles), covering freight costs to and from the customer within North America, and normally does not include any labor reimbursements, see further details below." They do have a few other stipulations such as "If the vehicle changes ownership, it discontinues the warranty, on the steering gear."
Blue is what color 😂😅🤣
I will NEVER get another Redhead box. Garbage! And poor customer support on top of that. Never again!
So is blue top
I think of Ford not Chevy when I see blue. Chevy is red.
To me at least, maybe an age thing...
I don’t think you’re the only one to think that way.
Blue is a ford thing, chevy is a orange thing.
Why is AC Delco always blue?
There is literally a “Ford Blue” color.😂
Blue goes with Chevy??? Are you a millennial??? 😅😅😅 You’ve never heard of “The Blue Oval”? Hint hint, Ford! 😅
Well the alternative is RedHead gearbox... That certainly doesn’t look GM to me. The GM logo is blue...
@@ThriftyGarage Chevys had reddish orange motors for years and Fords engines were blue and they always used the blue oval. Chevy has used multiple colored emblems through the years but red stands out as being one of the most popular badges they’ve ever used mostly used in the 90,s and maybe late 2000,s. I think they use a goldish colored badge now but hey I’m just playing and it’s all in good fun.
Chevy engine orange. Not to be confused with the mopar orange such is a bit more red to it.
Red and black.... that's more GM than blue and black (since a lot of the truck packages highlight things with red, and corvette! ) its all good
But.. the powder blue chevy nova comes to mind with this color blue.
Who cares about the paint
Total waste of time ha ha
Lame vid
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
How's your headgasket doing on that subie? Lmao
Most manufacturers dip to paint they dont usually use spray guns. They will dip 100's of parts at one time.
That’s a cool fact! I had no clue. Thanks for sharing!