Looking for a new steering gear, can I go with the autozone one?
 

My logic is even though its probably ****ty, I can return it and get my car back on the road if it breaks. If I go with high-end blue or redhead, and it fails(which I've read about online some), I'll have to buy a new one at autozone and then wait for the better one to be RMA'd, and I'll be out even more money. I live in Hawaii so it's a longer shipping process, I even have to drive an hour to get one from the nearest autozone here. Also the remmanned TERREPOWER on rockauto (cheapest one) and the TrueGrade from autozone have identical photos, so probably the same brand.

400 high quality one vs 200 autozone one. I'm not looking for one that's going to come with a ton of play out of the box, so if anyone knows if that's likely with the autozone please let me know. I've seen mixed things online.

I'm replacing mine because despite tightening it a lot, the play is bad, to the point where I won't let anyone else drive it. I had a friend move the steering wheel back and forth and confirmed the steering column does not have play, and also when turning back and forth in the play-zone, the pitman arm doesn't move at all. So it's definitely the box.

The autozone Cardone reman are poor quality. It might be sloppier and noisier than what you're starting with.

I bought a redhead and its been good for about 6 years. Was in a pretty nasty crash that mashed up the subframe. I salvaged the gearbox and used on the rebuild.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2a8ffb122b.jpg
Couldn't even turn the steering wheel it was so crooked.

I thought recent Redhead product was pretty low quality.

Thank you, I will keep it in mind.


I run an autozone steering PUMP, remanufactured unit. inexpensive, has been working great for near 5 years. Id not hesitate to buy their gear box.

note that if your gear box spits metal bits, you will be advised to flush the tubing and replace the pump to assure new metal,bits circulate.

I also installed a Magnafine fliter in line, and a cooler for the fluid. I rock crawl on 33 inch tires. My gearbox is a Dodge Dakota unit, got used from a Pick n Pull wrecker. direct fit for the XJ gearbox.
cheap remanufactured pump, cheap used gearbox, no problem.