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| | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 | Hey guys. Got a major steering issue & I don't really know what happened. My guess is that there's an issue with the steering gear box. Here's the problem. I was driving home the other day & went to make a right turn & the steering wheel just spun freely & the wheels wouldn't turn which caused me to continue straight. I was able to get it home but all of my turns required very slow turns with 20 or 30 turns if the steering wheel. I've read through the repair manual, but haven't found any info regarding my problem. I've checked the steering wheel & it's secured firmly & does turn the steering shaft. Has anyone had this happen to them & if do how did you go about fixing it?
Thanks | | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,063 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,063 | what year and model of truck are you talking about? Shock steering gear, or something else? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 | Oops. Kind of important info that I missed. It's a 1857 GMC 100 with original manual steering. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 | | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,441 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,441 |
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 | Check the pitman arm to steering box to see if its loose or stripped.
In re-reading your post if the steering wheel turns without stops it has to be somewhere between the steering wheel and the box, most likely the box as you first surmised.
Last edited by Hookalatch; 04/29/2017 4:36 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,101 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,101 | It sounds like internal components of the steering box have self destructed. Good possibility that there is excessive wear on the wormshaft and the ball nut that holds the balls. It also may have lost one or more teeth off of the sector shaft
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 | Hey guys. So I crawled under the truck today & gadmy kid turn the steering wheel back & forth. It's definitely the gear box. So now I've got more questions.
-How hard is it to rebuild vs buying one already done?
-Am I better off just buying one that's already been rebuilt?
-what's the best rebuild kit l? Who sells the correct rebuild kit?
Thanks for all your help.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,299 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,299 | I suggest that you take yours out and take it apart. It will give you an opportunity to learn how it works, giving you the answers to some of your questions. They aren't all that complicated inside.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 19 | Hey Carl. That's the plan. One way or another it's gonna have to come out.
Thanks
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | If its as bad as it sounds, it will probably be better to get a good used one. Normaly I'm all for rebuilding them if they just need bushing & seals & adjustments as carl says they aren't hard to work on.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,299 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,299 | About the only thing you can mess up are the ball guides by turning the steering shaft too far with it off the truck. I have messed them up before, but was able to message them back into shape in a vise with a body hammer.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 124 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 124 | I had that happen to me in a '64 Econoline van. When I turned the wheel it looked like a screw was threading though the bottom of the steering box. I ain't any help though, I had it towed home and quit driving it after that.
Gene
1959 Apache
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,052 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,052 | That would have scared the bejeebers out of me. That's a real word too.
Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,519 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,519 | Incorrect info there~~ 1957 Doesnt have a rag joint | | |
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