Tinker
Active Member
I've read a bit around here about the pain with reman steering boxes on pre-95s. I need to replace mine pretty soon. Rock Auto carries a newly manufactured one from Lares; part number 11416? Anyone tried this box?
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Replacement steering box - anyone tried the LARES new (not reman) box?
- Thread starter Tinker
- Start date
- Staff
- #2
I personally would be very leary of somebody selling a "new" unit. Saginaw hasn't made parts for these boxes for almost 20 years now, so if it's new, who made the parts, and what quality(or lack there of) are the parts of. From personal experience I can say avoid AGR at all cost's. I would also steer clear of redhead. Mine leaked from the pitman shaft, pulled it apart, and found that they had honed where the seal goes so the seal doesn't fit tightly enough to the housing now. I ended up going to an old style wide seal and shimming it in as deep as possible to get it to seal up, but who knows for how long it will hold.
So far I have heard nothing but good about blue top steering boxes.
So far I have heard nothing but good about blue top steering boxes.
Tinker
Active Member
Thanks for that info. I've seen the references to blue top vs red top but don't understand the difference. How does that translate to manufacturers or part numbers?
Tinker
Active Member
Disregard the above. I see now that they refer to two different brands.
JayTheCPA
Well-Known Member
Ferm, about that nothing but good about Blue Top, here is your first negative...
I put a Blue Top in my SOB 1 ton last Fall. Just pulled it (~750 miles (or maybe 500?) later) for a warranty replacement as it developed a lot of slop that was not present when we installed it. Apologies for the vague description as the shop did give me better details and I simply forgot the effected part names. In any event will see if this was a one-off, or a trend.
Warranty process with Blue Top was fairly good. Had to pay a core charge of $100 which I got back when the bad unit was returned. Blue Top picked-up the shipping costs, so that was definitely good. While the steering box was covered under warranty, I still had to pay labor to swap out parts.
Naturally, the shop is now very leery when I mention the idea of using Blue Top in my 3/4 ton that they are restoring...
I put a Blue Top in my SOB 1 ton last Fall. Just pulled it (~750 miles (or maybe 500?) later) for a warranty replacement as it developed a lot of slop that was not present when we installed it. Apologies for the vague description as the shop did give me better details and I simply forgot the effected part names. In any event will see if this was a one-off, or a trend.
Warranty process with Blue Top was fairly good. Had to pay a core charge of $100 which I got back when the bad unit was returned. Blue Top picked-up the shipping costs, so that was definitely good. While the steering box was covered under warranty, I still had to pay labor to swap out parts.
Naturally, the shop is now very leery when I mention the idea of using Blue Top in my 3/4 ton that they are restoring...
Tinker
Active Member
@JayTheCPA , on the box that failed, did they rebuild your original or did you buy one off the shelf from them?
JayTheCPA
Well-Known Member
Got a unit from Blue Top and then sent mine back as core.
DieselAmateur
She ain't revved 'til the rods are thrown...
Not sure if I'm missing something, but on blue top's website I don't see anything for 88-98 c/k2500, only k1500 truck and suburban.
Given how both redhead and blue top are reman units, I decided to take the slop out of my box thanks to Ferm's excellent write up
For only $30 I got a complete seal & bearing rebuild kit. And once I'm rich and famous I'll upgrade to an all new unit that @FellowTraveler highly recommends
www.pscmotorsports.com
Given how both redhead and blue top are reman units, I decided to take the slop out of my box thanks to Ferm's excellent write up
adjusting a steering box
These instructions are for a late model type steering box like the 88+ has in it, earlier trucks is similiar though. 1.Heres what we start off with as this job is MUCH easier to do with the box out on the bench. 2.Start off by taking a hammer and a large flat punch and loosen then remove the...
www.thetruckstop.us
For only $30 I got a complete seal & bearing rebuild kit. And once I'm rich and famous I'll upgrade to an all new unit that @FellowTraveler highly recommends
BIG BORE XD Steering Gearbox for 1988-1998 GM 2500/3500 4WD
Power Steering Gearbox for 1988-1998 GM 2500/3500 4WD Performance Steering Components offers the highest quality power steering gearboxes, pumps, and cylinder assist components for most high-performance power steering applications. Improved component designs ensure superior handling and...
www.pscmotorsports.com
Tinker
Active Member
No, you're correct. They don't keep stock for the 2500 or 3500 in that year range. But, they told me that they can rebuild mine.
- Staff
- #10
As I understand it, PSC no longer sells them. I know they had them for the Duramax and the supply dried out middle of last year.Not sure if I'm missing something, but on blue top's website I don't see anything for 88-98 c/k2500, only k1500 truck and suburban.
Given how both redhead and blue top are reman units, I decided to take the slop out of my box thanks to Ferm's excellent write up
adjusting a steering box
These instructions are for a late model type steering box like the 88+ has in it, earlier trucks is similiar though. 1.Heres what we start off with as this job is MUCH easier to do with the box out on the bench. 2.Start off by taking a hammer and a large flat punch and loosen then remove the...www.thetruckstop.us
For only $30 I got a complete seal & bearing rebuild kit. And once I'm rich and famous I'll upgrade to an all new unit that @FellowTraveler highly recommends
BIG BORE XD Steering Gearbox for 1988-1998 GM 2500/3500 4WD
Power Steering Gearbox for 1988-1998 GM 2500/3500 4WD Performance Steering Components offers the highest quality power steering gearboxes, pumps, and cylinder assist components for most high-performance power steering applications. Improved component designs ensure superior handling and...
DieselAmateur
She ain't revved 'til the rods are thrown...
Gah! add yet another item to the list of things I couldn't afford at the time and are now no longer available 
guess they're somewhere on a cargo ship in the Suez along with half the world's lumber supply and single gang outlet boxes and everything else that has disappeared in this damn pandemic!
guess they're somewhere on a cargo ship in the Suez along with half the world's lumber supply and single gang outlet boxes and everything else that has disappeared in this damn pandemic!
Will L.
Well-Known Member
Gonna be some pickups with art morrison rack and pinion being created soon, huh - when enough of you guys all put in a request at once...
- Staff
- #13
Even the borgeson steering box for the Dodge's that would also fit these have gone out of stock.
JayTheCPA
Well-Known Member
Gah! add yet another item to the list of things I couldn't afford at the time and are now no longer available
Same here. I missed out on that trophy wife . . .
Oh, wait, they are still available! But I still cannot afford one . . .
- Staff
- #15
That's funny shit Jay! Thanks for the chuckle...
FellowTraveler
Well-Known Member
IMO, tyrants are to blame for it all with their scam-___c tact...recovering will be next to impossible under the green new deal.