The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Steering box rebuild help

Im in the proces of rebuilding my '49 1/2 ton steering box with a rebuild kit from Jim Carter.

The instructions that come with it do not include anything about bushing replacement.

Ive searched on here and found a good thread with alternative instructions, which helps.

But I still am unsure on something.

What is the replacement part for packing and retainer for the pitman arm bushing:

Can anyone confirm that the packing and retainer for pitman arm shaft bushing is not two separate pieces (unlike the original which is 2 pieces).. the only part which looks right is a green coloured ring.

There is also a larger metal ring with a tapered inside that i do not know where its for. At first i thought it was the retainer for the packing but its far too big for that.

Hope someone understands what im talking about?

Thanks

Have you read this manual, your gear box will very similar.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/sets/72157632210242370/

The packing and retainer can be replaced with a simple seal from a newer GM manual steering box. This is the seal, you may find it local as well as it was used for a lot of cars and trucks. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SKF-11055-Steering-Gear-Seal-/170840391774

The original seal was a felt like material with a steel cup to hold it in place, see manual above.

Hi Joe, Thanks, that confirms that the seal replaces both parts the packing and retainer.

I had seen the link you posted and yes it is a good link thankyou.

I still have a part that im unsure of its location?

It looks to me like a roller bearing retainer as it has a tapered inner part that a bearing could sit in.

Look at page 18 in the manual above, it shows a collar that is held on with a rivet, is this what you have?

Joe

Hi again Joe, thanks for helping out.

No its not the riveted on collar. Il try and attach a couple of photos.

Here goes.

photobucket

photobucket


I wonder if the other trucks have a slightly different box - in the link you gave pics 13 and 14, i wonder if some use a bearing retainer (the part ive got in the rebuild kit) which retains the lower worm bearing, but maybe i dont need it as as the worm bearing adjuster on mine seats against the lower worm bearing?

That is the top bearing race for the worm gear. Its pressed into the top of the cast iron housing. The lower race is part of the large adjusting nut. Look up in the housing and you will see the race. If it looks good I would leave it, they are a little hard to get out. Picture 26 -28 in manual.

Joe

If you do need to replace the upper race, the easiest way I have found to remove it is to run a bead of weld around the face. When it cools the weld will contract allowing the race to almost fall out.

Cool tip Dave! I have forgotten that tip more times than I have heard about it.

Thanks guys, thats a great help. I can carry on now.