Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #25 – June 01, 2023, 09:27:12 am I really don't know. Quote Selected
Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #26 – June 01, 2023, 10:51:43 am Chalk's is better since they use the Shepherd kit plus more internal parts Shepherd deleted from their kits.Blueprinting is only documenting the process Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #27 – June 01, 2023, 11:12:13 am Actually, as Red Head explains it, blueprinting a Sheppard steering box to reduce play involves installing new bearings that vary by extremely small increments rather than just standard size bearings. Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #28 – June 01, 2023, 12:14:25 pm They did say they change the bearings if needed. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #29 – June 01, 2023, 01:00:46 pm Just talked to Chris at Chalk's. There are no varing sizes of bearings for the box. There are several different bearings in different locations in the box. For a bearing location there is one bearing. There are some thrust washers too. If a shaft is worn so it does not fit the bearing correctly, they replace the worn shaft. if a bearing is bad, it gets replaced with the bearing for that location.Saying bearings vary by small increments and long time Shepherd rebuilder Chalk does not know what they are talking about is marketing BS. So, I respectfully disagree that Red Head is the very best. But I will agree they are okay especially if they are close to your location. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #30 – June 01, 2023, 01:08:22 pm From Red Head's website: About/Process. Red-Head Steering GearsRedHeadOur re-manufacturing process: Machining out the housings and installing needle bearings Flame-spraying or replacing the shafts as needed Installing new control valves on some applications Custom fitting each worm & piston assembly with special ordered, precise over-sized ball bearings.Other things we do to produce a top quality product include: Install every sector shaft on a lathe to check for straight and true polish the sealing surface to a higher polish than new. Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #31 – June 01, 2023, 01:43:59 pm Chris has seen these comments on Red Head site. The process discussed is for older pickup trucks, not heavy duty truck units. This is an excellent rebuild for those boxes. He did not see the words"Blue Print" on their site. Chris agrees on the machining needed for the pickup boxes but not needed on our boxes. Quote Selected
Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #32 – June 01, 2023, 04:13:35 pm Quote from: wolfe10 – June 01, 2023, 01:08:22 pmFrom Red Head's website: About/Process. Red-Head Steering GearsRedHeadOur re-manufacturing process: Machining out the housings and installing needle bearings Flame-spraying or replacing the shafts as needed Installing new control valves on some applications Custom fitting each worm & piston assembly with special ordered, precise over-sized ball bearings.Other things we do to produce a top quality product include: Install every sector shaft on a lathe to check for straight and true polish the sealing surface to a higher polish than new.Yep that's how you make them better than new. And this is a skilled task that a seasoned mechanic develops threw repetition. Like setting up a ring gear on a rear end. And yes some will be better than others and some worse. I was happy with my factory gearbox and resealing for under a hundred bucks made sense to me. Could it be better, sure and possibly worse. Having six sets of matched bearings isn't cost elective for most shops for each gearbox type Quote Selected
Re: Steering box leak update pic Reply #33 – June 01, 2023, 08:38:41 pm I'll take SWAG at this ball bearing question and guess it refers to some p/s gearboxes that have recirculating steel balls that resemble ball bearing. At overhaul I would assume these balls should be checked for wear. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Topic: Steering box leak update pic