The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Steering box/column Q's

I am trying to assess the steering box and column that I have. The threads on the wheel end are pretty boogered up, but it seems to rotate well from stop to stop with pretty much no play. Although half-way through the rotation it gets a little stiff at one point but then loosens up again, I figure probably from sitting for so long. So I am going to try to repair the threads and use the box as is without rebuilding it cuz I dont believe I possess the skills and patience to properly rebuild it. I looked into a new unit from Classic Parts but with shipping and returning the core it gets kinda pricey, and they are back ordered with no due date. So.

1. What is the thread size at the steering wheel, 1/2-20?
2. Do you think the stiffness in the center of the rotation is anything to be concerned of?
3. Is the column clamp seal just a piece of rubber that goes around the column? Looks like I could make one.
4. What are the 2 screw holes for that are on the bottom side of the column, about 3 inches or so down from the top?

Thanks
Paul
52 GMC

You should start every new thread by telling us what year, make and model truck you're working on, so we don't have to guess...

Mike B

52 Gmc 1/2 ton

Lares will rebuild your steering gear. Classic is buying theirs from Lares anyway.

They rebuilt the one on my '76 F-150 and did an excellent job. They can even change the gear ratio to give you fewer turns lock to lock.

https://catalog.larescorp.com/part/8016/

https://www.larescorp.com/

First check the grease in the box. Fill it with a type of grease that will settle but not flow. Seems like most guys are using John Deer cornhead grease.
if the sector adjustment is too tight it will cause the shaft to bind on center. Loosen the lock nut & back out the sector screw a little ways. Tighten he lock nut down & try it again. A small drag should be felt when you cross the center.
Yes you can make you own rubber to go around the jacket at the dash mount.
I can't place the screw holes. They might be for a neutral switch for models with AT. Some have a hole with a cover where the horn wire or turn switch wire come out.
A photo might help.
I believe the wheel retaining nut is 1/2 20.

George

Are you sure they're on the bottom? There are two screw holes about that far from the steering wheel for the shifter knuckle for the 3 on the tree shifter. See the attached pic. It's possible that someone bolted the column on the gear box upside down (or maybe they did that for floor shift models.) There is also a screw hole where the horn wire comes out, with a metal clip held on by the screw.
The slight binding at the center of the wheel travel is normal. These are pretty easily cleaned up and re-lubed and adjusted. Check the Service Manual for the specs on adjustments of the worm nut and the sector engagement. It takes either an inch-pound torque wrench or a fish scale that goes down to 1 pound.

I 2nd comments on Lares. They just rebuilt my Saginaw 1946 Chevrolet truck original column. Great service, turnaround as promised and finished product was excellent…looks and acts like new.

#1 http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0539.htm
https://www.classicparts.com/1947-72-Steering-Wheel-Retainer-Nut/productinfo/76-955/

#2 Yes but there can be more than one cause. Isolate the problem. First read up on the steering box service (http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0539.htm) (http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/booklets/52mts20/index.htm) to get an idea of what internal parts are involved. Second remove the drag link and see if the tightness is still felt when rotating the steering wheel. If it is try adjusting the worm bearing adjuster to remove any shaft play. If no help then jack up the truck and put jack stands under the frame. Grab a wheel and check that there is not restriction making the wheels swing full left and right.

#3 Yes. You can buy one but the shipping is a killer. https://www.classicparts.com/1947-53-Steering-Column-Clamp-Bushing/productinfo/32-306/

#4 ??? Flashlight holder or something like an add-on turnsignal device of some type.

This is the best information you find on your steering box. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/sets/72157632210242370/
I used leather to hold my steering column, it looks more old fashion then plain rubber.

Thanks for all the input. I was able to cut some new threads on the column shaft. I am gonna use it as is.

Here is a picture of the 2 mystery holes on the column.

Was wondering how the horn is wired. I have a single wire coming out of the column but it doesn't look like a wire comes up to the steering wheel center. Another mystery for me

Yep, those holes match where the shifter knuckle would bolt on (with the screws shown). That horn wire goes up to an insulated bushing (similar to the picture) below the steering wheel that gets grounded when you push the horn button. You should have a spring loaded piece linkin a hole in the steering wheel that the horn button contacts when pushed.

So that bushing goes over the shaft under the steering wheel but how does that wire feed down through the column because it's closed with a bearing at the top of the shaft. I have only dealt with 67 Pontiacs where the wire comes up through the column and has that same type of contact.
Thanks for your patience, I'm a little slow, especially in the winter

The wire coming up the steering column connects to the bearing at the top of the steering column. When installed, the bearing has a brass ring looking out of the column tube that mates up with the horn button brush/spring that touches the bottom of the horn contact plate. The horn button mounts on the top of the horn button plate. When you push the horn button you supply a ground for the horn.

Ah ha. I was looking at the brass collar at the top of the column thinking it just a bearing seal, but that IS the horn button contact....duh

No worries, we're here to help.

That's why we have this -> I've used it a time or two myself.

Shifter Mount Pic