Steering gear boxes

Dzchey21 · May 31, 2012

Anyone know how exactly they work and what's inside?

My reg cab was in a wreck and the aluminum cover plate where the pinion adjustment is broken. I was thinking about just machining a new cover but I don't know if I need to be looking for something else that caused it to break. Any help would be cool thanks

jdgleason · May 31, 2012

I was thinkin about lookin for an upgraded one this week. Interested to see what people say

Wes Lewis · Jun 1, 2012

Basically, it's a gear on a shaft, that turns another gear on a shaft. That's the simplified version. As long as the gears don't have a lot of slop, and it does not bind it should be fine. If you want to get picky there might be a spec on how much torque it takes to turn everything.

One thing I have heard is the torsion bar that controls the power steering can bend, then the truck will try and turn one way all the time. I don think you could really check that though.

Zmann · Jun 1, 2012

Recirculating balls for one

not a simple system IMHO

why not just get a replacement cover? I also would be weary of a box that had drama since the sector shafts are known to snap after such an issue

co04cobra · Jun 1, 2012

I would describe it as a worm gear. Usually these boxes will take 0 impact without breaking internally. If you pop the aluminum cover off you will be able to see the gears and sector. The cover is threaded you have to take the 2 nuts off the top and use an allen wrench to get it off.

If yours has any play it in it I would replace it. Ford sells a reman for around $400 or I would check with redhead. I recently set up as a dealer with them and have been impressed with their stuff.

Zmann · Jun 1, 2012

Wes Lewis · Jun 1, 2012

Zmann said:
Recirculating balls for one

not a simple system IMHO

why not just get a replacement cover? I also would be weary of a box that had drama since the sector shafts are known to snap after such an issue

^what he said. Hard to explain without having an example I front of you

Dzchey21 · Jun 1, 2012

The only reason I was thinking about fixing it is because I took the truck for a drive after the wreck. No power steering but it drove fine. That's why I was wondering if I could check anything. I out fluid in it and of course it just came out as fast as I could put it in.

I'm thinking I might pull the cover off tonight and see if I can find anything broke inside.

Thanks for the info guys big help so far

Aaron S · Jun 2, 2012

I would imagine an extreme outside rotational force on the output shaft could over pressurize that side of the piston and force the cover out. The cover is on the side of the pinion that is closer to the input shaft.

Other posibility is the output shaft was forced up into the box, some how breaking the cover out.

Aaron