The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1954 steering box

Who knows where I can get a rebuilt or refurbished steering box for a 1954 Chevy 3600 4 on the floor??? Thanks.

You may have luck posting in the Swap Meet section (this assembly will be heavy and expensive to ship). I know Jim Carter lists them in the catalog, availability dependent.

If it's just replacing bushings and seals a machine shop may be able to rebuild yours.

Brad,

Where does Jim Carter now list that in his catalog? JC Catalog Listing

KEV BB FARMS,

Lares Corporation rebuilds steering gear/column assembles; however, they do not know the correct part for a 1954 truck.
https://www.larescorp.com/
Lares incorrect unit - same as incorrectly shown by Rockauto.com.

If you call Lares they will assure you that they have your correct assembly - they do not.
I'll tell you their BS reply/response to my query, if you ask.

Rockauto.com had to help me to get Lares to take my steering boxes and rebuild them.
Rockauto still does this, and/but the price with shipping ia around $1,000.00
Rockauto listing - note the wrong unit in the photo - from Lares Corp.

I'd try to follow Tiny's advice - see if you can find a local machine shop that seems to know what they would be doing.

Tim, I have an old one (printed) and it was and continues to be offered as they become available, no part number you have to call them (they are listed on the Used Parts pages, back of the catalog).

Is the 3600 a one ton? If so The Filling Station has a rebuild kit for under $80. <CLICK>

3100 1/2 ton
3600 3/4 ton
3800 1 ton

Maybe someone will check a parts manual to see if they are the same stearing gear column/assembly?

Their listing says it's for 1/2 to 1 ton so it should work.

Thank you guys. Classic Truck Parts has one on their online catalog but out of stock. Does anyone know the difference between the 4 speed box and the 3 speed box ?????

Isn't the only difference between 3 speed and 4 speed the tube in that the 3 speed and H-M has drilled and tapped holes for the shifter to mount to the tube? and the 54 tube has a provision for the turn signal wiring cover?

Thanks, Greg

I forgot about that detail.

I'm not worried about keeping it "original". So is that a yes that the 3 speed will work ??????

I think the answer is "yes".

You, and others, should double-check me on this.

I bought a kit for my 53 for about $80. I bought new balls for it from Mcmaster for a couple of bucks and the local machine shop charged me $20 to install it.

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

Hi All, I just bought a 56 3100 and have a lot of questions. I'm starting with the steering as it is very sloppy. I took the truck to an old time mechanic who told me the king pins were good but the steering box is shot and needs replacement. I called around and cannot find one in stock. I could send mine in for a rebuild but the truck would be out of commission for some time. I would like to know, is there a good source to buy a rebuilt steering box? I find rebuild kits available. How difficult and time consuming is it to rebuild one, assuming an experienced mechanic is doing the job? Any advice is most appreciated.

https://www.larescorp.com/

And, Rockauto.com sells/sold the Lares products (note the incorrect unit/style).

Rockauto might ship yours to Lares, and then you know yours is correct for your year.

Lares shows an incorrect 1954 truck steering box - they told me that the four 1954 trucks/units that I had were all incorrect. They were, of course, wrong.

I sent mine to Lares via Rockauto. They came back in beautiful condition. Lares will return them in primer or in black.

Note: I did those in 2014

Thanks for the info! I called Lares. I'm having a hard time determining which box is the correct one. I have a 56 3100 2WD with a 6 cylinder engine. They suggested sending mine to them for a rebuild but I don't want to take things apart just yet. Is mine what is called a two-ten series?

Check with your closest Autozone. Cardone brand shows refurbished units available through Autozone.

A 210 series is most likely a reference to a car model.

In case you didn't know, your steering column and box are one unit, the column is factory pressed into the box.

Have you tried to adjust the box per the shop manual? That's where I'd start.

Mike B

They are not too difficult to rebuild either.

1955 2nd series and 1956 use the same box. 1957-59 have a shorter column.