The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rebuilt Steering Box 1946 GMC

Can some recommend a source for a rebuilt steering box for a 1946 GMC 1/2 ton, or a qualified, reliable rebuilder ? Thanks. Sron48.

sron48,

Try Lares Corporation in Minnesota .

https://www.larescorp.com/


Even though they specialize in ford steering boxes

there is some interesting reading at the site .

http://www.stangerssite.com/


George

Why don’t you do it yourself? It’s not that hard actually. Other than trying to remove the old nasty grease, it probably took about 2 hours since I made a major error. Manual is easy to follow!

Chris

I was going to suggest doing yourself also, it's a fairly easy job with no special tools needed. Jim Carters is now selling new worm shafts and ball sockets that weren't available not to long ago if you was to need one. If you shop e-bay, you can still find NOS parts for them, or go to any of the major parts venders for bearings, bushings, and seals. Follow this manual, https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/sets/72157632210242370/ , even though it for a '52, it still applies to your gear box. I rebuilt my '41 gear box which is like yours, with NOS parts I scrounged up, it works as good new and drives as easy as if it had power steering.

Joe

I have 2 steering boxes from 37 P/U s.. both are frozen but I can't figure out what kind they are.. they have a snout that goes thru the frame and is bolted with a u bolt that extends to the top of the frame rail . any help?

Can you attach pictures please.

Chris

On my '46, the steering column and steering box are one piece ( no rag joint). The steering box has the words "Saginaw" stamped on it. I can't see any part number while the box is mounted to the frame. I'm headed towards Pittsburgh for the AACA Grand National. I will resume working on the truck when I return. Thank you for your time. Sron48.

Beaver Bob, here is the parts manual break down of the '37 box, http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_54/396.htm . The box is a Saginaw built box, used in the '37-'38 and maybe '39 trucks, and the '37-'38 Master cars. They are simple gear on gear boxes, with a few bushings and bearings inside. 16-1 gear ratio so the effort is quite high to steer them at slower speeds. With new sector gear, bushings, and bearings, you can make them very tight and drive nice.

Sron48, you gear box Is a Saginaw built box as well, I doubt you will find a part number, possibly casting numbers but thats about it. 1941 through '46 gear boxes are similar in design, but the '41 box uses a different count of roller balls and a different diameter, so be careful when ordering parts. Measure the diameters, '41 use 1/4" diameter balls, the '42-'46 is a 9/32" ball diameter, the worm shaft and ball guides cannot be interchanged. Look close at the bottom bearing and race on the worm shaft, this is where water collects. If the race is bad, which is part of the worm shaft, you will need to replace the whole worm shaft assembly, which is the whole steering shaft. The bearings are barrel shaped, not a common bearing to find local, so truck part venders are your only source, I looked for a long time and never did find any.

Which ever box you have, follow the repair manual already linked for adjustment procedures, as all boxes adjust the same way.

Thank you Joe H. that 37 steering gear is the one..I can't get the shaft out to replace the bearings, I'm stumped..Beav

You need to pull the sector gear out from the side of the box before the worm shaft will come out. You then need to pull the bottom cover off and slide the whole shaft assemble out the bottom of the housing.

I'v disassembled the sector gear, both covers , cleaned the grease out and it still won't come apart.. the sleeve or jacket for the steering shaft seems to be seized to the bottom of the unit.. and the washer that looks like it should screw off (6.532) doesn't come out allowing the bearing and shaft assembly to slide out the bottom....