The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1946 Chevy 2-ton steering box

what kind of fluid does the steering box use?

Do they make rebuild kits for these boxes? Mine was caked in grease, along with the frame rail, must have been leaking for years...

how do you get the steering column off the box? I took the bolt off but it doesn't budge!

My box has "266733" on it, need to get it cleaned up and hopefully new seals on it or something!

thanks!!!!

Hy JLM, I don't think the column can be removed from the steering box, you'll have to remove the steering wheel and any cup shaped piece underneath it and then remove the steering box/column as a unit. You might be able to locate seals and bushings/bearings to do a rebuild, but you'll likely have to do some searching.

ok thanks, im not finding much with the number that is stamped on the box, I see rock auto has a rebuild service, but its $279 without shipping...i figure i could probably do it myslef if i can find the parts, did chevy use the same steering box for different years? newer years? seems to be easier to find something if it was used on the next series of trucks 47+

I havent been able to get my steering wheel off actually, i damaged it a little bit trying so i gave up for now.

Lares Corporation provides the rebuilt steering gear units for Rockauto

Lares 816 part from Rockauto for 47-53
Lares 815 part from Rockauto for 46
They are the same price - about $275

I bought a rebuilt 1954 truck steering gear from Rockauto.
The arrangement was:
- Lares supposedly had a 1954 truck unit ready to ship
- Upon my receiving the rebuilt unit, I would send my old unit (core)
- All cost paid through Rockauto

For what it is worth (and, for the benefit of other readers), Lares does not know the correct 54/55 truck steering gear/assembly. They shipped me the wrong unit.

Lares does an excellent rebuild, but they would not listen to me about them sending me the wrong unit for 1954 trucks. They told me I must have the 1954 truck power steering unit. I told them they were incorrect about a power steering unit being available from GM for 1954 trucks. They told me that I am incorrect. I said "OK".

After receiving the wrong unit from Lares, I arranged for Rockauto to ship my unit for rebuild, rather than sending my core-unit after receiving the Lares 1954 truck unit.

Here is the good news about dealing with Lares through Rockauto: Rockauto's shipping costs were about 25%-30% of the cost quoted by Lares.

ALSO: Rockauto paid all shipping charges for Lares being wrong about the 1954 unit.

I arranged for Rockauto to ship my unit as the core for Lares to rebuild. Lares did a beautiful job and even painted/primed the unit to my choice of primer-color.

Try this 5% discount code at Rockauto: 3690459B490384

If i have to get it rebuilt i'll take a look at lares then, thanks. I'm still hoping to just find a kit, or at least just the gaskets, it seemed to work just fine, just leaked alot is all.

do they just use 90w gear oil? i have a shop manual but i dont see where is specifies oil type exactly

Most likely steering gear oil/grease is recommended in 1946. (I'll check)

It is hard to find the proper weight/viscosity grease. Corn head gear grease is a close match and readily available (John Deere, for example).

1942 is most likely the same as 1946.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/42tom43.htm

It says chassis lubricant or steering gear lubricant is OK.

Thanks. i think i found the gaskets i need on that jim carter website

MES124

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/cart/product.asp?prodid=MES124&i=|MES124||||

i'll give that a shot before sending it off to get rebuilt

JLM, your box may be ok. If someone used 90 wt gear oil it will leak out (it's to thin) and make a big mess leading you to think something is wrong when it's really ok. I use Penrite Steering Box Lube in my trucks, it's thick like honey and self leveling...it's made in Austrailia and there are USA dealers.

http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products.php?id_categ=14&id_products=90

Mike B

I'll give that a shot then thanks, I went ahead and ordered the seal kit it was pretty cheap, I'll get it cleaned up, new seals, painted and the correct fluid!

ok that pernrite steering box lube is NGLI 00 - So probably any NGLI 00 grease in a tube would work? makes sence 90w would leak out if its supposed to take an actualy grease not a gear oil,

Do you know how much it takes? just fill it 1/2 way up or all the way from the vent plug in the top?

thanks so much for all the help guys!