Hey all, I made some videos of my 49 GMC steering box rebuild. All of your posts have been helpful to me in the past. Hopefully these videos will help someone else! Got some info from the Tech articles and this forum (using John Deere Corn Head grease in particular) I was able to ream one of the bushings in my shop, but the side cover had to go to the machine shop. My adjustable hand reamer wouldn't fit.
Steering Column Removal: Steering column mast bearing removal: Steering box overview: Steering box internals: Installing new worm ball bearings: Side cover bushing removal: Pitman arm bushing install: Side cover bushing install: Steering box reassembly part 1: Steering box reassembly part 2, pitman arm shaft: Steering box reassembly part 3, lash adjuster, side cover: Steering box reassembly part 4, side cover: Steering box reassembly part 5, finish assembly, grease and discuss adjustment: Steering gear adjustment procedure (out of truck):
Great videos! As well as your others. Very helpful. I saw that your unit was leaking. Maybe I missed it, but how worn were your bearings and bushings? I have mine out and am trying to decide if I should rebuild as a matter of course or leave well enough alone.
Hey Skydog, Thanks - much appreciated. My unit was leaking, but I was also filling it with 80w-90 gear oil, which come to find out is not what is supposed to go in there. I learned that from poking around here. The bushings and bearings weren't too bad I don't think. Nothing looked scratched or scored. It did seem like it was loose with a fair amount of play even after adjusting which is why I decided to get the rebuild kit. I figured while it's out is the time to do it, plus I learned something new. I was able to do everything on my own except reaming the side cover bushing to size, which I mentioned. I had some adjustable hand reamers that need to be able to pass through the part to cut all the way. The machine shop doing the engine was able to do that one for me. Greg
