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| | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 23 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 23 | Again on my '41 1 1/2 dump, my steering box has a little play in it, as in 1 full turn! That made for loads of fun towing it home! For once I had to keep telling dad to slow down! It seems to work ok other than the play in it. Is there a way to somehow shim, or an other way to eliminate the slop in these boxes. I havn't investigated it myself yet, (because I knew I could get the answer here), but wanted to know because I have that '46 panel for parts and it seems good. Will those boxes interchange? They appear to be the same. Thanks as always for the info!! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | rust&grease, I can't answer your question directly, but will say that I wouldn't think all that play is in the box...you probably have a whole bunch of other "joints" that are pretty relaxed!  Stuart | | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 23 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 23 | atomarc,
The fender is off and I can see the pitman and it does not move until the wheel makes a full turn. Amazing, isn't it!! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | rust&grease,
I would say that would be real amazing. I know little about this subject, but searching, it looks like trucks in your vintage had the Saginaw steering box.
If that is true, then the '46 panel would have the same box. I would think it much wiser to rebuilt one of these boxes (if they are identical) than just swap.
I think there are two adjustments...one on the SIDE of the box that adjust the sector into the worm to tune out any free play.
The other should be on the downhill side of the box..a large nut that adjusts the worm gear
thrust bearings.
There is a detailed adjustment procedure outlined in the TECH-TIP section describing how to get rid of free play.
My feeling would be your box has more than just adjustment issues, but this is just a guess.
Read the tip, adjust accordingly, and see what develops. The cost to rebuild this would be quite reasonable, and simple to do. Good luck.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I don't think that the panel box will swap. Usually the 1 1/2 ton and larger have a larger steering box than the 1 ton and smaller, they also have a different ratio. Look into overhauling the original first, they are not too hard to work on.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | LONGBOX55, I would have thought along the same lines as you. I did what looking I could, utilizing the online Chevrolet manuals. From I what I can gather, the '41 1.5 ton and the '46 panel have the same 19.8:1 Saginaw recirculating ball steering box. The cars in the corresponding years have different steering boxes. But as I said in my original post, I am a green pea on this subject.  Stuart | | |
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