The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1946 Chevy 1.5 Ton Steering Box Question

Now that I can get my truck to move forward and backward under its own power, I noticed the truck is difficult to steer and makes a creaking sound when turning toward the right. I raised the front end off the ground and is still making the noise, but is much easier to steer and the noise isn't as loud.

I pulled the plug on the top of the steering box and saw that it didn't have any fluid. I filled it full of 75-90 weight synthetic diff oil as I had it on the shelf. I have since found out that it is not as thick as was used originally, but none of it has leaked out, so I've left it in there for now. I had hoped that with the oil in the box, the creaking would subside; it hasn't.

I then thought it might be coming from the bearing at the top of the steering shaft, right below the steering wheel. I pulled the wheel and removed the bearing. Turning the steering wheel still has the same creaking (only when turning right).

I have also noticed that the entire steering shaft moves up and down when I turn the wheels (with & without load on it). Is this supposed to happen? Note that the dash was completely out of the truck when I bought it with nothing connected to the steering shaft.

I was planning to remove the steering shaft housing since it has a bolt on clamp, but from reading on different forums it seems that it shouldn't be removed.

Any suggestions on the path forward? I have ordered a new gasket kit & Steering Column Worm Trust Bearing/Adj. Lower Race 1941-1959 from Jim Carter thinking that may be the solution, but haven't pulled the box off the truck yet.

Here are some pictures of the truck and steering box:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B93HqBsSfCQnTXpkNnVKNWQ3NGc
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B93HqBsSfCQnMS1QS0EwVkZQaE0
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B93HqBsSfCQnV254MDlaRXV6akE
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B93HqBsSfCQnQTl2Tzl2SzZYYjQ
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B93HqBsSfCQnVGhpaThtcm8wbmM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B93HqBsSfCQnV0c2Rlp5TU1DeGs
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B93HqBsSfCQnVFRGZ0xiTGJMcUk

You probably have a seized up king pin. Pretty common. You should be able to figure out which one it is by jacking the front up (both wheels off the ground) and man-handling each wheel - attempting to move it back and forth as if steering it by hand. I'd recommend cleaning up the grease fitting real good then take a torch and apply heat to the bushing boss on the top and bottom of the knuckle - not too much, but enough to get it hot. Then you can work it back and forth some more and attempt to pump some grease in it and keep working it. Its not very likely your steering box is stuck. And by the way, that gear oil you put in there is all going to leak out in short order. It should be lubricated with a heavy grease like wheel bearing grease.

Many have used John Deere Corn Head grease in their steering boxes. That has been discussed numerous times in these forums.