I have a steering box that seems to constantly seep and since I have the engine out I'd like to fix it. I have the manual but not sure and would like some input .... If I take off the 3 bolts for the side cover and pull this cover am I going to have a bunch of stuff fall out? Or am I just going to have the grease come out and able to add a gasket to this?
You have to either remove the pitman arm and remove the sector gear with the cover, or screw the adjustment screw all the way in to be able to remove the cover. But doing the latter will make it difficult to put back together as the screw fits in a T-slot in the end of the sector gear and will stay behind with the sector gear. You may not be able to get the screw started back in the cover. The steering box uses NGLI 00 grade grease, which is pretty "oozy". It will run slowly out of the side cover if loosened.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
You will have to readjust the box if you pull the side cover off. The new gasket thickness is enough to change the adjustment. Your better off pulling the box out and doing a proper cleaning and adjusting. They are not hard to work on, and with the engine out, not all that hard to get out of the truck. Better now that you have time.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I also concur with a total rebuild. Do that and put John Deere Cornhead grease in it and you will think that you have power steering compared to before the rebuild.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
I also concur with a total rebuild. Do that and put John Deere Cornhead grease in it and you will think that you have power steering compared to before the rebuild.
Read that slowly, three times.
Amen
(properly inflated tires also improves steering/tracking - I like radial truck tires)
I case you didn't click on the link in my post above, go back and look at it, It's the best description you will ever find on rebuilding your steering box.
