The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts How do I remove steering column to get cab off?

I dont want to ruin anything.

either unbolt steering box off frame and remove with cab or take off steering wheel and carefully remove cab off column

Take the steering wheel off the column.

Remove the steering column seal.

Unbolt the steering box from the frame (remember the bolt underneath the frame).

Pull the steering box/column assembly forward to remove it.

Tim

The above answers sound great.
I'd add that you should unclamp it from the dash, and unplug the horn wire and remove the turn signal switch if you have one.

I'm guessing you thought it would be easier though.. it's not.
Well not all that hard, just not as easy as you would hope.

Grigg

I generally also remove the drag link from the pitman arm before unbolting the steering box from the frame.

Everyone has posted pieces of good information. I hope no one minds if I put them together so that a reader in the future does not have to piece the steps together? Also, I'll include the shift-lever-assembly step for three-speed-shifter-lever on the column.

To remove the cab leaving the steering column inplace:
- Take the steering wheel off the column.
- Unplug the horn wire.
- Unclamp the steering column from the dash.
- (Remove the shift lever assembly and the turn signal switch, if you have them.)
- Remove the steering column seal.
- Carefully remove cab up-off the column.

Or, with the cab in place:
- Take the steering wheel off the column.
- Unplug the horn wire.
- Unclamp the steering column from the dash.
- (Remove the shift lever assembly and the turn signal switch, if you have them.)
- Remove the steering column seal.
- Remove the drag link from the pitman arm
- Unbolt the steering box from the frame (remember the bolt underneath the frame).
- Pull the steering box/column assembly forward to remove it.

Please post corrections and/or additions.

Tim

That's the way I like it, step by step. I have an Oliver Super 55 tractor and the service manual for that is terrific. It actually goes through every step. The Chevy manual.... not so much.

Nice summary Tim. I've done both approaches, though not recently, and don't see any omissions. Maybe someone else will?

Hy tclederman and guys, the only thing I would add is that I would remove the pitman arm rather than the drag link, or maybe that is what you meant to say. The pitman arm is the part that is attached to the steering box, and the drag link attaches to it. If your steering box passes through the frame you can't remove it without removing the pitman arm first, you will need a strong puller to remove the pitman arm after getting its retaining nut off, hope that helps.

Bobb,

On any 47-55 A-D/ND truck, does the steering box pass through the frame? I have only done 1/2 ton trucks and a 2-ton COE (last week).

My limited experience has been that removing the pitman arm can be tough and not necessary - I've done that with/on a bench press.

Thanks,
Tim

As far as I know and have seen for the AD trucks the steering box is only on top of, not passing through, the frame.

If you plan to remove the pitman arm from the box most of the usual tool suppliers offer a special pitman arm puller that you may find handy. I've got a nice Snap-On version that works very well even on the stubborn ones.

I've only pulled a cab over the column..
But thinking about pulling the column from under the cab it may be handy to remove the left front wheel first to make access easier.

Grigg

I chose drag link over pitman because I've fought much harder with the pitman arms than the drag links, but yes if you can simply remove the pitman it does make the job easier.

My COE's are parked too far away to go look, but I know the steering on my 4400 and 6400 both look just like a 3100 or 3800 and the removal process should be the same.

Grigg,

On a 2-ton GMC COE (that you know quite well), it was very easy to remove the steering box/column with the cab in place AFTER removing the fender and 9 or 10 inner fender pieces (no need to remove the radiator).

I'd remove the inner fender and radiator first on a standard cab.

Tim

That's good to know Tim, sounds like a lot bigger job that I expected.

Hadn't thought about the inner fender, but it would have to go, and to get to it the outer fender comes off too...
Wait a minute now.. now that I think about it I have done this before, on my 52 1 ton. I did leave the radiator in place, but as you noted the inner and outer fender do come out first.

Grigg

Hy guys, the mechanic in me wanted me to tell you about the pitman arm removal, for me it's easier to do with the box bolted to the frame. It is true that if the box doesn't pass through the frame it isn't absolutely necessary to remove the pitman arm, but I would take it off the box while it's bolted to the frame, that's my best advice.

Hey

Is there a reason why I can't disconnect the steering column from the steering box? There is a collar held on by one nut and bolt. (Refer to my latest picture in photobucket). I'm going to assume that just opens pandora's box unless I hear otherwise. I don't have the necessary expertise or tools to do it the way you guys described. I'll just leave the cab on and lift it to paint. Thanx in advance.

This is for the later AD's but it may let you see what leaving the box on and separating the column could involve.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/sets/72157632210242370/

Good God! Sometimes I think I have got in way over my head. Thanx, I would have never got it back together.
~m

The steering mast cover may come off of the steering box, but the actual steering shaft with the worm gear attached is all one piece, so removing the cover doesn't help.

Mike B

Opps........ wished I read this before I split the box at lunch.

I don't see any balls....... I am sure they are there.

I don't know. Mine spun back in. Everything seems to work. Still don't see any balls.
I think I am going knock on wood and never ever do that again.

Got it. (1941 through 46) After heating the pitman arm nut, it came right off. That way, the pitman arm stays attached to the drag link. And, the steering shaft and box come off as a unit after loosing, (not removing) two nuts that hold the box to the frame. Nothing to it once I got over my fear. Refer to my latest photobucket pix.

Just used this thread tonight to remove the steering column off my 55.1 and it was as easy as the steps. Especially the heads up about that last bolt through the under side of the frame. Thanks guys!

How much "crud" did you have to remove to clearly see that "last bolt"?

Congratulations.

There was so much that I don't know if I would have been able to find it had I not been told about it.

It was said somewhere that more "crud" buildup equals less rust and I can attest to that. I have so much crud everywhere and everything is really solid on my truck despite it sitting in Colorado for most of its life. Even the cab corners are solid