The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Can't Remove Lower Steering Worm Bearing?

Hey, hopefully this hasn't been covered before; I searched for something similar and found nothing. If so I apologize.
Here goes: I'm rebuilding my steering box in my '49 Chevy 3/4ton and got the thing entirely apart without a problem except for the lower bearing between the worm gear and the large adjusting screw in the bottom of the box. The top bearing I just slid up the top of the shaft but the lower bearing poses a problem. There doesn't seem to be a way to remove it. I apologize, but my camera is vacationing in Ocala and won't be back till tomorrow so I'll try and describe what I am seeing until I can post pictures. (Holding the steering shaft with the worm gear towards the floor) On the bottom of the worm gear is the inner race for the bearing (machined into the worm), then the bearing just below it, then a flare comes out of the worm gear, through the center of the bearing and flares out just below the bottom of the bearing, slightly larger than the ID. This holds the bearing captive between the worm gear and this infuriating flange. There is maybe 1/2" for the bearing to slide up and down, and the flange doesn't appear to interfere with the bearing contacting the race in the adjuster screw. The picture in my shop manual shows no flange and has no special instructions on how to remove the bearing for replacement. The bearing isn't all that bad but a new one came with the kit and I'd like to replace it while I've got every thing apart. Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures tomorrow (1000 words is a bit to much for even me to write).
Thanks for all the help,
-Alan W.

Alan W,

Don't quote me on this but I believe that the doohickey that is giving you problems is a factory installed aid for the assembly of the steering box. It might be held on by a rivet on the bottom of the worm and it's common to remove and discard it during a rebuild.



Stuart

I'll wait for the picture Stu!

Denny G

That's it Stuart, there is a rivet holding this thing to the bottom of the worm so I'm pretty sure you're right. I'll post pictures a little later, when my camera gets here, so y'all can confirm that's all it is before I start drilling into the thing.
Thanks again,
-Alan W.

Denny G,

If you think about it, that lower ball bearing needs to be captured as the worm/sector is assembled at the factory, and that little retainer does that.

If the large adjustment nut for that lower bearing were unscrewed and removed, technically that lower bearing could just slip right off the worm. That retainer also could prevent that.

We can both wait for the camera to return from Ocala for the rest of the story!

Stuart

Anybody know what lube and or additive I should fill the steering gear box with in my 55 3/4? I have read many things across the net and trust your advice as stovebolters.

I drained, disassembled and surgically cleaned the entire assembly. It is all in very good condition and ready for reassembly. I just want to know if I need to assemble it with some kind of additive. There was a silvery sludge in the bottom of the gear assembly that I wasn't sure about. The old shop manual was horrible with directions and describes some form of additive. Please advise. Thanks in advance.

I rebuilt the steering box on my '49 1/2-ton a few months ago. I purchased a new bearing kit from Classic Parts, and the instructions that came with the kit said to remove and discard the retainer you are describing. I followed the instructions, and my bearing came apart and went back together again just fine. Grab the retainer with a pair of pliers and twist. It will pop right off.

The recommended lube is a bit difficult to find- its a 600W heavy oil, not so much a grease. I believe a lot of people are using John Dear corn head oil (a combine lube) with success. I think GM discontinued the factory recommended oil several years ago. You used to be able to buy it at Chevy and GMC dealerships.

Some people have been able to make what the jeep folks call "knuckle pudding". Its a 50/50 mixture of grease and 90W oil that resembles the consistency of the 600W oil. 140W gear oil is just going to leak right out of your steering box and straight grease is too thick.

I used a #00 grease in my latest steering box. I really like it, soft and gooey. Since the box was on the truck and my grease gun was already full, I squeezed the #00 in to a plastic bag with the corner clipped off. Then using it like a pastry chef, I squirted it right in the box. Send me a note, I still have a few tubes left, I had to buy extras to get what I needed. Joe

Hey guys,
I've had no chance to really do much of anything, school has kept me busy with AP Exams, Prom, etc. But I graduate Friday, so I'll be able to spend the whole summer on my truck!
Okay, so I followed norcal49er's advice and just pulled it out with pliers, it popped right out! Thanks norcal49er.
Finally, incase anyone else has this problem and wants pictures of what the retainer looks like here are the links:
Retainer 1
Retainer 2
Retainer 3
Thanks again guys for all the help, I'll be asking plenty more questions before I get this back on the road. I can't wait to drive it to college!
-Alan W.

Congrats on graduating!

As far as the appropriate lube, I used 90w in the COE and havent lost a drop yet. I wouldnt without a full rebuild, as we know what happens to those seals over time.