**LABOR POLICY – Red-Head Steering Gears covers parts and freight only on warranty claims. Labor is generally not covered in most warranty claim situations, however in special circumstances we take labor compensation into consideration. When this is the case, a labor claim form must be accurately and completely filled out and a copy of the labor invoice with proof of payment must be provided. The maximum amount of labor coverage is up to and may never exceed $175. Please remember, it is solely up to Red-Head Steering Gears discretion as to whether labor compensation will be provided. Red-Head will not issue any labor compensation until faulty unit is in house and has been tested by our team.
***Warranty applies only to steering gear boxes remanufactured by Red-Head Steering Gears, Inc. Any other steering components purchased by Red-Head Steering Gears, Inc. from another supplier are covered only under the supplier’s warranty.
Please see below “What would cause my core credit to be reduced?” for more clarification on reduction of core credits.
***PLEASE NOTE: If these steps aren’t properly performed, the gearbox may end up in hazmat and/or be returned to sender by courier.
We try to process the refund within 4-5 business days after receiving the core. Once we process the refund it takes some time before the credit shows up in your account. Please allow for three weeks (fifteen business days). If you don’t see it after that time feel free to contact your bank.
We highly recommend using the same fluid that the manufacturer of your vehicle recommends. It is always best to use a name brand fluid. Our power steering gears are tested under pressure with Dexton 3 ATF before they leave our shop. If you decide to change from what the manufacturer recommends then Dextron 3, or comparable fluid, would be a safe bet.
Play can come from several places in the front end. Here is how to isolate and test the steering gear:
• Have the engine running
• Wheels on the ground and gear box on center – to make sure it is on center, go all the way to a lock position and then go half way back.
• With a channel lock pliers reach in above the pitman arm and clamp onto the splines of the sector, if there is not enough room for the large pliers between the housing and the pitman arm, clamp onto the sector shaft nut.
• Holding the pliers tight, wiggle the input shaft right at the box, not at the steering wheel. If you feel any movement in the pliers your play is not coming from within the box. Remember to check at the input shaft and not by moving the intermediate shaft. If the intermediate shaft is loose it will directly replicate play in the box.
• Keep in mind that travel through the gear is greatly reduced, the input shaft will go around completely 3 to 4 times and the output (sector) shaft will move way less than a half of turn. On an eighteen to one ratio box, the input shaft goes around 18 times to 1 time of the sector (output) shaft.
• If you do find that there is play between the input shaft and the output shaft, then watch the input shaft carefully as you turn it back and forth to see if it moves in and out of the box.
• Remember to check the sector shaft for movement and not the pitman arm. If the pitman arm is worn or loose it may not respond quickly when the sector shaft turns.