I replaced the steering gear in my 99 recently. The Carquest one I had in it before only lasted a few years with no off-road use on the stock car. It got loose and started clicking on turns, which was progressing. The Readhead I put in felt tighter, but leaked a few drops a day from the pinion shaft seal. I spent more than an hour cleaning everything in the area to make sure it was the seal, I was not looking forward to doing this job again. It was the seal. So, I replaced it again, with another Readhead under warranty. Fortunately I am about 15 miles from them, so it was only a matter of asking my wife to do the drive once again. The second one was fine. It felt tighter than the first, and still does after about a month of service.

I guess the pinion shaft seal is a bit tricky to install properly, with the proper preload. I don't know, I've never done that job. I guess anyone is entitled to a mistake, including Readhead. If the gear lasts a long time I will be satisfied. On the plus side, I can now replace one in only twice the book time, which is pretty good for me .

I do have to mention that the bleeding procedure that Readhead has on their site is over the top. Turn stop to stop a bunch of times, then wait overnight, then start but be ready to dump more fluid right away, because the pump will draw fluid and will then draw air... When I did the second one, I only turned it enough times for the bubbles to stop coming up, then waited an hour, topped off the reservoir, and started. It drew just a bit of fluid when I did, maybe an ounce. The level came right back up when I stopped the engine.

 

I too have been thru box-store hell with PS pumps and gearboxes.
I also spend the extra on a Redhead box that has been dry and smooth for the past 6 mos.

Fingers crossed