The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk steering box

Is a steering box from a 1947 3100 chevy truck the same as a Steering box from a 1953 3600 Chevy truck?

Thanks Steve

Yes, the same for 1947-1953 Advance-Design (and, GMC New Design) 1/2 ton to 1.5 ton conventional cab trucks.

Yes: "1947 [A-D} 3100 chevy truck the same as a Steering box from a 1953 3600 Chevy truck"

Thank you for the information.
Now can you tell me where I can find a how to, on rebuilding the steering box?
Again thank you in advance
Steve

Try Chevyoldcarmanual.com. There is a booklet on how to rebuild the steering gear.

Cool beans Thank you for all that info

Steve

I have an update on my steering in my 53 3600 3/4 ton truck. The reason why my steering in my truck was so sloppy was because the king pins were frozen solid, No movement at all. The shop where I took it were able to free them up and grease them. NOW the steering has improved greatly. So don't assume it is your gearbox is the culprit.

Just an FYI.
Elmo

I believe you still have some components in your steering system that have wear in it, but if it is driving to your satisfaction, go with it.
I can tell you about my truck and it steered pretty good before the restoration. Each part of the suspension and steering that I disassembled, I found wear points. Wear points mean clearance, enough collective clearance from all worn suspension and steering components exacerbates bad steering behavior. It made a believer of me. Finally check to see if you have the castor wedges between the two front spring perchs (under the leaves), also, check your toe in and bring it into spec for your type of tire, it is huge help to control the wander and control tire wear. This is my experience, I am not a certified master mechanic, but I have been around a hell of a long time wrenching on cars and trucks.

Steve

I had the same "front-end experiences" that are very nicely described above by Steve/sstock.

The final "touches", which made the final significant-different to steering/tracking were:
- adjust the steering box/gear as described in the Shop Manual (buy a 5-lb fish scale at Walmart)
- play with tire-pressure (too high gives wandering; too low, gives harder steering effort)

Thank you Steve for all of your Knowledge and experience working on these old vehicles.
Much appreciated!

Elmo

I'm no Cecil B. DeMille when it comes to home videos, but here is a boring 6 minuet ride I took a few
years ago in a total stock '50, 3600 which might give you an idea of what one of those trucks should
handle like out on the highway. Notice the ease of steering and lack of wander at highway speeds.
Again, I apologize for the poor production, I'm a much better mechanic than I am actor or film maker.


Denny Graham
In the corn fields of Sandwich, IL

Totally appreciate that short film on the handling of your truck.

Thanks
Elmo