47-55.1 1952 Chevy Flatbed steering question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

brutalblake · 11-01-2018, 05:01 PM

where I work they have a 52 flatbed that has been part of the department since day one. Recently someone had got the bright idea to rebuild it, and all original at that (or as close as possible). That being said...

A former employee started this project 2 years ago and its been sitting for the last year. I'm in charge of picking up where he left off. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a mess trying to find out what's been done.

At the moment I'm trying to track down a pitman arm for the steering box. The steering box was rebuilt and I'm not sure if they put a different splined gear, because it is too small for the opening in the current pitman arm. Every pitman arm I lookup is for power steering, which is what we are trying to avoid.

If anyone knows where I can find what the original specs were or knows a good place to start searching I would be beyond grateful.

whitedog76 · 11-01-2018, 05:48 PM

Is it a 3100, 3600, 3800, etc... truck?

Also if you can take a measurement of the shaft with a caliper, that would be helpful.

There’s a lot of good guys on forums like this one and Stovebolt.com that rare willing to help too.

**mr48chev** · 11-01-2018, 05:49 PM

It sounds like they used the sector shaft out of a smaller truck during the rebuild.

I honestly don't know where the size break in steering box and pitman arms is on these trucks.

brutalblake · 11-01-2018, 06:10 PM

I believe its a 3800. the pitman arm is 9.5" center to center and has a female spline insert with 28 teeth and a diameter of 30mm. The steering box has a male spline shaft with 32 teeth and is 28mm in diameter.

I know the steering box was rebuilt. I just located a receipt from last November. So I'm assuming they put the wrong spline shaft (sector shaft) in.

1project2many · 11-01-2018, 09:39 PM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-51-54-C...UAAOSwqu9U75EB

I think I counted 32 spline...

brutalblake · 11-05-2018, 05:24 PM

So those four slightly wider grooves, I was not counting. If you are supposed to count those than I am four shy on both my previous counts.

11-01-2018, 05:01 PM	#1
brutalblake Registered User Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 3	1952 Chevy Flatbed steering question where I work they have a 52 flatbed that has been part of the department since day one. Recently someone had got the bright idea to rebuild it, and all original at that (or as close as possible). That being said... A former employee started this project 2 years ago and its been sitting for the last year. I'm in charge of picking up where he left off. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a mess trying to find out what's been done. At the moment I'm trying to track down a pitman arm for the steering box. The steering box was rebuilt and I'm not sure if they put a different splined gear, because it is too small for the opening in the current pitman arm. Every pitman arm I lookup is for power steering, which is what we are trying to avoid. If anyone knows where I can find what the original specs were or knows a good place to start searching I would be beyond grateful.

11-01-2018, 05:48 PM	#2
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: 1952 Chevy Flatbed steering question Is it a 3100, 3600, 3800, etc... truck? Also if you can take a measurement of the shaft with a caliper, that would be helpful. There’s a lot of good guys on forums like this one and Stovebolt.com that rare willing to help too.

11-01-2018, 05:49 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,715	Re: 1952 Chevy Flatbed steering question It sounds like they used the sector shaft out of a smaller truck during the rebuild. I honestly don't know where the size break in steering box and pitman arms is on these trucks. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-01-2018, 06:10 PM	#4
brutalblake Registered User Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 3	Re: 1952 Chevy Flatbed steering question I believe its a 3800. the pitman arm is 9.5" center to center and has a female spline insert with 28 teeth and a diameter of 30mm. The steering box has a male spline shaft with 32 teeth and is 28mm in diameter. I know the steering box was rebuilt. I just located a receipt from last November. So I'm assuming they put the wrong spline shaft (sector shaft) in.

11-01-2018, 09:39 PM	#5
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: 1952 Chevy Flatbed steering question https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-51-54-C...UAAOSwqu9U75EB I think I counted 32 spline...

11-05-2018, 05:24 PM	#6
brutalblake Registered User Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 3	Re: 1952 Chevy Flatbed steering question So those four slightly wider grooves, I was not counting. If you are supposed to count those than I am four shy on both my previous counts.

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