2001 Sliverado 1500 Steering Gear Leaking after replacement, NEED ADVICE!

[kdb]

Hey Everyone,

So I am completely new to the Forum so bear with me. OK, I have a 2001 Sliverado 1500 non-HD 4x4 with 285/75R16 tires on it. The problem I am having is I have now replaced the steering gear box on it 3 times with a Cardone Remanufactured - Power Steering Gear Part Number: 27-8412 that I originally purchased from the local O'Reilly's. Each gear box from the original one has had various problems.

1st one: Started Leaking 2 days after install from the top cap and around the sector shaft area. (Warrantied)
2nd one: Worked great for 3 weeks, steering was tight and responsive and then steering got way sloppy. Had my brother in law from a dealership check out all the front end parts and he deemed the Steering Gear as bad. (Warrantied)
3rd one: Got about 3 months out of this one. I even purchased an aftermarket steering stablizer from Zone Offroad. Now I have very loose and sloppy steering and the gear box is leaking from the top cap between the 2 bolts closest to the frame. (soon to be Warrantied)

Now I am pretty mechanically seasoned (basically a farmboy/tire buster/service tech) so I am pretty careful during install and actually am very particular about my vehicles. I have used Lucas Power Steering Fluid on all of the box changeouts, new o-rings on the lines every time, etc. The Power Steering pump has been replaced as well before the gear box changes ever happened. All front end parts are tight as can be.

I need advice and suggestions. Are there other gearbox options say like a 2500 model work or what? I am getting to be a pro pulling these out but enough is enough. Any help is totally appreciated.

[454cid]

.........I have now replaced the steering gear box on it 3 times with a Cardone Remanufactured.........

I avoid Cardone like the plague. I've had calipers from them that seize. Many many stores/sellers sell their stuff becasue it's cheap. I think it's cheap for a reason.

When I bought my new power steering box, I got an AC Delco through Amazon. It was rebuilt in Mexico, but they didn't require me to send in a core, which was great. I will eventually send my original box to Redhead Steering Gear out in Washington, to get rebuilt.

[95BlackTahoe]

Wonder if the fittings are correct on the cardone units..meaning metric or sae threads...Otherwise, I'd say the company that refubs them has poor quality control