The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1946 Chevy 1.5 ton steering box question

I posted this under big bolts, but I figured I might get a chance response here.

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

Older trucks w/o power steering are hard to steer without the vehicle moving, so, if that is the issue, try it out when it is moving.

Ed

Seems like a creaking sound might be king pins.
There should be no up and down movement of the steering shaft.

Ed,

I figured that was the case, so I jacked the front end up off the ground so there was no load on the wheels and it was much easier to turn, but when turning the wheel from full left lockout to full right, it would creak.

Dave,

I had a buddy turn the wheel back and forth while I listened directly over the box and the noise is coming from inside the steering box.

Regarding the movement, I don't have a picture, but when I looked at the box from underneath, it seemed like the steering box bracket clamps the steering box to the frame, but the whole box can rotate around that clamp point. I'll try to take a picture of it tonight.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/albums/72157632210242370

from Brad Allen's film strips.

Joe

Hey NewGuy,

I agree with Dave, you should not be able to feel any up/down movement on the steering shaft as the lower worm gear race adjustment loads the two thrust bearings. It sounds like something is badly worn, broken or rusted inside the steering box. The upper steering bearing wont contribute to the issues you have reported. The box is not too difficult to inspect, just don't loose any of the recirculating balls or mess up the sheet metal guides that hold them all inside. If your steering box is toast I've got one that is just collecting dust, that is if you cant find more local donor.

Paul

This will give you an idea whats in side and how it operates, https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/sets/72157632210242370/