The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Task Force Steering Columns

Hello fellow 'bolters!!

I have a '57 3100, and the steering box has a lot of play in it. I know they are somewhat adjustable, and I've already tightened it up once, but I have a feeling its time to rebuild or replace.

Question #1. Are the Task Force Truck columns all the same? I found one out of '59 with turn signals that might make a nice upgrade, if it interchanges with the 1957 column.

Question #2. How involved is rebuild steering column? I might rebuild one before installing it in the truck to make sure its good. What wears out typically, and is it replaceable? Any recommendations for good kits?


Thanks guys for "steering" me in the right direction!!

The later ones were shorter as they went with a dished steering wheel. I think the 57 is the same as the 58-9. Someone pop in & correct me if i'm wrong. They are easy to rebuild. The lower bushing is one part that wears & even the slightest looseness cwill cause a lot of play. The worm brgs are next. The ball nut & gears generally are OK unless someone left it a long time without grease. It is not nessesary to disasemble the ball nut as long as it turns smooth.

Cool! I don't suppose you have the part #s or a source for the new stuff? Should I just go to NAPA and hope they can figure out what I'm looking for?

the 57-59 columns are the same, and the turn sig is the same for all 55-59 and a seperate removeable assy .... doubt you'll find anyone at NAPA who knows what you're looking for, you need to have the parts in hand to try to identify

Bill

The turn signal is different for the 55 & 56 models. Those years the steering wheel was flat and the turn signal knob and switch were designed accordingly. The 59 should match the 57.

Jmoore,
So if I had a 58 steering column with the turn signal switch, I couldn't take that off and put it on a 55.2 column and have it work?

It would probably work if you bent the arm so it didn't hit the steering wheel or used the later wheel.

I've had a dozen or more turn signal assemblies from all the 5-9 years and have never found any difference - the lever is identical 55-59, comes straight out of the cup any year, the cancelling plate that goes on the bottom of the wheel is identical 54-59 .... only thing that might happen is yer knuckles might brush the lever if you have a grip on one of the spokes instead of the rim of the wheel

Bill

I rebuilt mine, if I remember correctly I got the rebuild kit from American Classic (Chevy Duty). I believe the other suppliers such as Jim Carter also carry the kit. It came with directions and was fairly straightforward.

Thanks for the FYI on the kit at American Classic!! I found it and it looks like it has all the seals, gaskets and bearings.

The lever is the same. IIRC The 55 & 56 came straight out from the column with the flat steering wheel. The switch mechanism on the later assemblies puts the lever at an angle with the later dished steering wheels.

not angled on either the 57 I had nor the 58 I'm driving now, which came with the option don't recall if any of the 60's trucks I've had were angled - your GMC angled? original?

Bill

Angled? Yes. Original? Who knows?

Jeff