A little background: I replaced the steering gear in my Raider with a A1 Cardone reman (sourced from PartsGeek), and it's got more play in it than the original with almost a quarter million miles on it. I'm talking almost 2" at the wheel, while the original was bad enough with over 1" of play! I haven't measured it exactly, but I'd guess 10-15 degrees between input shaft and pitman shaft!

It's just ridiculous. I'd already replaced the upper control arm shafts and idler arm (even japanese made one had no grease fitting on the ball joint :/), the ball joints have been holding up well with an occasional greasing, and a new (zerg fitted) pitman went on with the gear, so I was expecting to finally have some decently tight steering, but it's like they did not replace the wear parts (ball screw / nut) at all, just threw some new seals in, "painted" it, and called it good.

So now I have to return this defective gear and source another, preferably from one of the local auto parts stores so I can look at it on the counter before I accept it.

Anyone else replace the gear in their raidero or another vehicle even? What brand did You get and was it decent?

Thanks for any advice.

Peace,
~M

Used a later model a Gen 2. Hoping it being newer that it works better.

Update: contacted partsgeek and cardone. partsgeek did give me an RMA but cardone also got a hold of Me, and the rep said that's not how the parts leave the factory and they'll make it right but building a gear just for Me, so I held off. At first they had trouble finding a core, but then contacted Me telling Me it's on it's way. At first inspection it looked much better, paint was ok, and it was pretty tight and adjusted correctly, but, and it's a big BUT, the freggin splines on the input shaft look like they weren't fully machined and/or rounded off. Literally, they are not even cut to the edge. I tried it anyway, but could not get the steering shaft over it. Gave up, and went back to the original gear for Now and got to call them again . Wish I'd just returned it when I had the chance, but will give them another one, third time's the cahrm maybe..?

Gen 2 upgrade is the way to go I think bro. I'm planning on replacing just about all of the front end with Gen 2 parts.
Your truck so your call.
Good luck.

What all is needed for the box upgrade?
Will a montero sport work?
I know I need the pitman arm but does the idler arm need to be changed as well?
Is the steering box the same as the gen 1 lwb? if not which has tighter turning radius?
I know all this is on the forum but I am not having any luck finding it. Thanks

The steering box does not dictate the turn radius of the Montero, as that is more dictated by the wheelbase and the angle to which you can steer the front end (finite limits based upon the chassis, in this case). The later Gen I LWB steering boxes were a faster ratio than the early to mid SWB models. I put a late 91 steering box in the 87 Raider in 2008 and really enjoyed the increased steering response.

Others have put the Gen II steering box and pitman arm, and idler arm in the Gen I chassis, but I read about other issues resulting. As I have no experience with that, I'd open a conversation with Mongo or others on this board.

I think I'll try that ('91LWB to '89SWB)if I can find one.