New 2 the forum, been searching here for weeks on options for my restored '46 AK steering box issue. Will say right off i prefer to just keep it stock...so i pulled and sent the unit to a regional specialist in San Jose Ca. who indicated a 3 day turnaround “no problem, we stock all those parts’....well, right off they found the main shaft had been cut/brazed, the races were standing proud, & 3 weeks later its not ready as it just won’t come up right....they are working on a solution but........ I’m concerned If i can’t use this one (and i can’t find a used/rebuildable steering box to install) i am wondering what my retrofit options are... been thru all the threads on THE ‘BOLT including PS options just to see what folks have done (i don’t want PS but might offer insights..... not necessarily into reinventing what others have already figured out.......
A lot of guys pull there's off to upgrade to R&P steering. A generous bolter send me one that he no longer needed. You should have no problem getting what you need.
~ Victor 1941 3/4-Ton Pickup (in process). Read about it in the DITY Gallery 1955 Grumman Kurbside "Doughboy" 235/3 on tree w/ OD 1957 3100 - moved on 1959 C4500 Short Bus "Magic Bus" - moved on 1959 G3800 1 Ton Dually "Chief" - moved on 1958 C4400 Viking "Thor" ~ moved on to fellow Bolter
Yes, Jim Carter sells the replacement worm gear shaft and roller ball pieces, with that and a decent sector gear, you should be able to make a good working unit. Bearings are also available. Don't limit yourself to '46, any of the '41-'46 boxes will work, from 1/2 ton up to 5 ton, the COE is different. The shaft length is different on the bigger trucks, but sectioning the shaft is easy enough. The gear boxes are all the same size. "41 is the same design but the internals will not swap due to the roller ball diameter. "42 - '46 are the same. I have a '41 gear box with the shaft cut and a '37 top section welded on. This gives me a better designed, easier steering box with the look and fit of a stock '37. I used a worm shaft from a 5 ton truck with low mileage. Don't worry about welding on the shafts, any decent welder can make a strong joint. The worm gears are pressed and brazed to the shafts from the factory, so it's two piece from the get go.
Thanks guys, i’ll like be having a in depth discussion with the rebuild shop today, they had got past the steering shaft and worm gear so i suspect the sector shaft is worn, but i will find out. The truck (Hank) is a fine looker & runner otherwise, safe/sound steering is my goal .
Update:Long chat w the shop, they received a bearing & race they needed, said this is all they needed to get it like new, we’ll see how that goes...
Final Update: If you find yourself in the same situation as me the below might help.....
the steering box sector (pitman) shaft was bad, way bad, like unusable...
Straightline Steering San Jose Ca had a few sent in but none good...so...they managed to locate a complete unit, then rebuilt/restored it to perfection, (as in zero play and butter smooth) and it installed perfectly.
I asked for the old box back to confirm fitment, upon inspection it is my conclusion (others can correct this if wrong please) that my 46 truck had a earlier 39-40 type steering box (prev owner), and Straightline located a what i think is the proper 42-46 unit. See attached photo of old & new steering boxes for reference.
Be aware the reinstall was easy except the new box being slightly wider, nothing that a socket w/hammer to dent the exhaust downpipe didnt correct.....
Nothing beats dedaling with professionals who know what they're doing and take pride in their finished product! Quality trumps price any day of the week! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Hank - I am rebuilding the steering box of a 1946 Chevy 3/4 ton. I am trying to confirm that I have the year-appropriate box. The number on my housing is 266733. Do you know if that is the number on your housing?
1941 -1946 all use recirculating balls inside, the '41 has different size balls then the '41-'46, but the whole units interchange. '41 uses 1/4" diameter balls, 42-46 uses 9/32" diameter balls, housings are the same. Shop manual shows cast number 267733 as fitting 41-46 ( AK,AL,AM,BK,BL,BM,CK,DP.DR ) ALL UTIL and AN,BN,DS, exc. COE
Jim Carter referred me to Texas Steer Co 2226 N. Beach St. Haltom City, TX , reasonable price and quick turn around. ph 817 222-1828 They rebuilt my original '46 box
Last edited by JiMerit Boltr#43; 09/03/20213:00 PM.
