Hi all,

I've been searching for a new steering gear for my 99 Blazer.

I came across this one from Red Head.

https://redheadsteeringgears.com/shop?year=1999&make=Chevrolet&model=S-10%20Blazer&options=24

Do any of you have experience with these?

They seem to have a good reputation and their rebuilding process appears to be more thorough than others.

Of course they are a bit higher in price which I can offset by picking one up from them personally. (They are in the Seattle area.)

I do have a small lift, run slightly larger tires, and do go off-pavement so that I am thinking it could be worth investing in a higher quality gear over a stock replacement.

So, any of you have experience with these? If not Red Top, can you recommend others?

 

I do not but they seem to be popular with the Ford crowd. There is another one with 'Blue' in the name that gets good reviews as well. I can't remember the full name though.

 

Thanks for the info.

Could this be the other brand?

https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dc...t-Us_ep_7.html

 

Yeah, that's it. I can't vouch for either personally just from feedback I've heard from others. It sounds to me like the bluetop is leading in the polls right now.

 

Thanks!

I didn't see a steering gear for a Blazer at the Blue Top site so I sent an email to them. I'll report back what I find.

 

So I've discovered that in addition to the Red Head steering gears, there are ones at Blue Top that fit. There are also newly built ones by Lares.

The Red Head and Blue Top ones are all remanufactured. The Red Head people say they will remachine the ball-bearing races and then use oversize ball bearings sized to the new races. They have facilities in Auburn WA, near Seattle, and in Post Falls ID near Spokane WA.

Red Head has the option for a 4-turn gear rather than the stock 3-turn or 3 3/8 turn ones. The 4-turn one is not recommended for tires under 35" in diameter.

Based on the internet rumor mill, Blue Top was founded by a former employee of Red Top who uses the same remanufacturing techniques. They are located in Minnesota.

Finally, it surprised me that there were new steering boxes available from Lares. These are attractive for being new. Again based on the internet rumor mill, although all the manufacturing is done in the US, the major cast parts are sourced in China.

Here are the part numbers for a stock replacement from each manufacturer along with their list price:

• Red Head:
  • pn 18510
  • $316.00 for gearbox
  • $150 refundable core charge. Must be returned within 60 days
  • $60 shipping for both original and core to me in North Idaho, local pick-up and drop-off available.
• Blue Top:
  • pn 18510NN 80-02 Jeeps exc CJ (this is only listed under the jeep, but the same gear was used with our Blazers as is listed at the Red Head site)
  • $300.00 for gearbox
  • $150.00 refundable core charge, must be returned within 30 days
  • $70 shipping for gearbox and core anywhere.
• Lares:
  • pn 11353
  • $351.79 (Rock Auto)
  • No core charge
  • $18.99 Shipping to me in North Idaho determined at RockAuto

At the moment, I'm leaning towards the Red Head.

I'll keep peopled updated.