Frequently Asked Questions

What does your warranty cover?

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.

What is the process to return my steering gear for a core refund?

Please return core to:

4302 B ST NW
AUBURN, WA 98001 

1. Please drain core of fluid and replace port plugs
2. Use plastic bag that we sent your new gearbox in (if it’s still intact) or whatever is needed to keep box from leaking
3. Re-use packing materials to ensure the box is returned to us without hassle from the courier
4. Also, if possible, tape or re-tape the outside of the box to help strengthen it

How long do I have to return the core?

1. You have 2 months to return your core for a full refund
2. All cores returned after 60 days will be credited at 50% of the original core charge.
3. No refund will be issued for any returns made after one year from purchase on cores or new units.

How long does it take to receive the core refund?

1. Once we receive your core, we try to process the refund within 1-2 business days 
2. Once we process the refund, it takes some time before the credit shows up in your account, your bank may take 2-10 days to process the refund. If you don’t see it after that time, feel free to contact your bank.

What determines if I get a full refund, or partial refund, of my core?

1. In most instances, a full credit is refunded once we receive a customer’s core.
2. On occasion we will have to reduce the amount that is refunded. This may occur with one of the following:
   • If a valuable and integral part of the steering gear is compromised to the point that it has to be replaced such as
     • component that connects to axle is broken, cut, welded, twisted, or has damaged threads
   • If the core that is sent back to us is a steering gear of lesser value we will reduce the refund accordingly.
   • If the core that is sent back to us is not original equipment we will likely need to reduce the refund. The reason for this is because some of the aftermarket steering gear companies may offer steering gears that are modified in a way that renders them unbuildable.

What steering gear fluid should I use?

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 Dexron 3 ATF before they leave our shop. If you decide to change from what the manufacturer recommends then Dexron 3, or comparable fluid, would be a safe bet.

Are your gearboxes sent out in center position?

Yes, they are sent out on center.

How do I purge air, or bleed, my steering gear box system?

1. After installing the gearbox, fill the system with fluid.
2. Raise the front wheels off the ground, DO NOT start the vehicle.
3. Work the steering wheel back and forth, lock to lock, 15-20 times.
4. Leave the vehicle sit (overnight is best) AT LEAST 2 hours
5. Top the pump reservoir off again.
6. Work the steering wheel back and forth again 7-10 times
7. Have a person in the vehicle and another at the pump reservoir with a container of fluid & funnel ready to pour if necessary.
8. Instruct the person in the vehicle to start the engine. As soon as this happens, if the fluid level drops, be ready to pour in more fluid. The level must be kept at an almost full level or it will suck in air again.
9. If this procedure is followed properly, the air problem will be solved.

How do I determine which ratio to use, when ordering a steering gear, when there are multiple options?

We prefer our customers to order a steering gear with the same ratio that they have currently in their vehicle. You can check by turning your steering wheel all the way one direction. Count the number of full turns you have of the steering wheel until you can’t turn any further.

1. If the wheel turns 3-3.5 turns then the ratio is likely 15:1.
2. If it turns 4-4.5 turns the ratio is likely 18:1.
3. Some passenger vehicles and light duty trucks may have as low as 2-2.5 turns of the steering wheel from lock-to-lock. If this is the case then the necessary ratio would be 12.7-1. 

How do I return a new steering gear?

Please return to:

4302 B ST NW
AUBURN, WA 98001 

1. There will be a $50.00 charge on all new returns, plus any applicable shipping charges.
2. Any parts that have been installed will not be accepted as new returns – under any circumstances.

Can Red-Head rebuild my original unit as opposed to ordering one off the shelf?

Absolutely.  Custom rebuild is an option and is only $75 more than the off the shelf replacement.  Please click here to submit a quote for rebuild.

How Do I Check for Play?

Play can come from several places in the front end. Here is how to isolate and test the steering gear:

1. Have the engine running
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

Buying a pitman arm

Our refurbished pitman arms are made in America NOT imported.
These pitman arms are refurbished meaning we sort, inspect, clean and paint these arms for resale.
Refurbished pitman arms have a lifetime warranty.

Our pitman arms with ball studs are brand new. We have installed and pre-greased the zerk fitting for your convenience.
New pitman arms have a 1 year warranty.

Part of our inspection process includes sorting out pitman arms that would have broach issues like auto part store pitman arms. Broaching issues are when the pitman arm goes on further than the nut and washer can go, which causes play.

PITMAN ARM INFORMATION AND TORQUE SPEC

• The splines on the pitman arm and sector shaft are tapered to ensure that there is a perfect connection between pitman arm and sector shaft. DO NOT USE ANTI-SEIZE, this will cause a disruption of that perfect connection.
• It is important that the pitman arm seats correctly on the splines. You should have some splines exposed on the sector shaft. If the Pitman arm goes all the way up the splines, then the Pitman arm maybe too worn or the wrong size and will cause play over time.
• Gently place the pitman arm on the splines, then hand thread the nut on the end of the shaft as far as it will go. Torque the nut down to factory Torque spec. DO NOT HAMMER AND DO NOT PRESS PITMAN ARM.
• To ensure the correct torque specification, please use Torque Wrench. NO IMPACT TOOLS. Impact tools do not provide a way to measure the torque specification
• Improperly torquing pitman arm can result in play over time, and premature wear of pitman arm or sector shaft
• Torque specifications below are for common Trucks, if you do not see your vehicle below, please verify the factory specifications with owner’s manual.

FORD

DODGE

CHEVY

JEEP