Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 14, 2025 ...

STEERING BOX, Rebuilt by REDHEAD STEERING

September 08, 2014, 01:37:10 am

A big thumbs up for REDHEAD steering gear in Seattle.
After reading positive reviews of there rebuild process I decided to send my Sheppard M100 steering box to them for a rebuild.

After driving with the "new rebuilt" box for awhile I thought it was time to give a review of my own.
REDHEAD goes though the box and blueprints it, polishing and shimming to remove any slop. The result is a much better driving experience especially on bad roads and construction zones were the road surface pitches back and forth and a inconsistent road crown is present.

I had excellent support from them on the phone and found them to be friendly and helpful in answering my questions both on the phone and by email.

They have a 24hr turn around, they received my unit on a Friday (notified me they received it by email and phone) and had it on its way back to me on Monday.
Charged me $485 for the re-build and $38 to ship it back to me UPS ground to Chicago.

Quote Selected

Re: STEERING BOX, Rebuilt by REDHEAD STEERING

Reply #1 – September 09, 2014, 05:44:07 am

Lon you had good luck with yours. I had Josam frame and alignment in Orlando replace mine with a factory Sheppard rebuilt 150 miles ago due to a time crunch, instead of doing it myself which I should have. It is leaking from the steering shaft. The good news is they have a new one coming and will replace it while I wait on it. Being as we now live aboard can't leave "the house" for a week or 2 for repairs.

Quote Selected

Re: STEERING BOX, Rebuilt by REDHEAD STEERING

Reply #2 – September 09, 2014, 08:32:48 am

Actually, several of the RV suspension shops have even new Sheppard M100 boxes blue printed by Redhead.

Quote Selected

Re: STEERING BOX, Rebuilt by REDHEAD STEERING

Reply #3 – September 09, 2014, 11:10:21 am

Lon, thanks for the input. My FT only has 75,000 miles on it and it had new seals put in 6months ago by the previous owner. I have a wonder. I got an alignment by josam's and that fixed the pull and it does well, but it still wanders more than it should.

Everything is tight underneith. And there isn't much play when I have somebody turn the wheel with engine off and I check. My next step is to check and tighten the front wheel bearings (if needed). If that doesn't fixit it, I may pull the box and send it off.

My gut says wheel bearings need some tightening because the wander is very random. Usually a loose box or steering component you can hold the wander by getting on either side of the "loose spot".

Quote Selected

Re: STEERING BOX, Rebuilt by REDHEAD STEERING

Reply #4 – September 10, 2014, 03:09:15 am

Nothing like a RED HEAD.

Quote Selected