Rebuild Manual Steering Box ?

[grumsey1]

Hi guys, new to the site but not to my 63 Chevy pickup four wheel drive pickup, all original except I put a 65 big back window cab, box, front end, etc, on the 63 frame and running gear, and a 327 that came out of a 65 Chevelle SS, numbers on block verify it to be.

I the original steering box on it and have so much play in the steering wheel now I'm not driving it (the adjuster is in as far as it will go), I was told that I would have to replace the adjuster, and bearings…the hard parts (worm gear, etc) should be fine.

The adjuster is still available through GM I was told, one gasket, I can find the bearings, but was wondering if there is a kit available to rebuild the box, or a company I buy all the parts from instead of chasing parts.

I plan on doing a frame up restoration on the truck this summer, I have another 65 clean truck for parts I need, including the six that came in the truck originally. Then, maybe putting the truck up for sale.

Please let me know if other members have had to rebuild the same box and what they or you did.

Also there are many complete 60 to 7O rust free trucks up in my area that I can get parts off of.

Thanks,

Glen Rumsey
The Dalles, Ore. 97058
grumsey@earthlink.net

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by grumsey1

Hi guys, new to the site but not to my 63 Chevy pickup four wheel drive pickup, all original except I put a 65 big back window cab, box, front end, etc, on the 63 frame and running gear, and a 327 that came out of a 65 Chevelle SS, numbers on block verify it to be.

I the original steering box on it and have so much play in the steering wheel now I'm not driving it (the adjuster is in as far as it will go), I was told that I would have to replace the adjuster, and bearings…the hard parts (worm gear, etc) should be fine.

The adjuster is still available through GM I was told, one gasket, I can find the bearings, but was wondering if there is a kit available to rebuild the box, or a company I buy all the parts from instead of chasing parts.

I plan on doing a frame up restoration on the truck this summer, I have another 65 clean truck for parts I need, including the six that came in the truck originally. Then, maybe putting the truck up for sale.

Please let me know if other members have had to rebuild the same box and what they or you did.

Also there are many complete 60 to 7O rust free trucks up in my area that I can get parts off of.

Thanks,

Glen Rumsey
The Dalles, Ore. 97058
grumsey@earthlink.net

This is a timely post for me.

I spent a day last month trying to get a decent manual box together myself. I took five manual boxes part trying to collect the best parts for one good one. The main issue, is that most of them had too much play in the output shaft bushing. I can't seem to find a new one either.

Finally, I took the box off of a 68 Impala. The box works exactly the same as the truck box, but mounts to the inside of the framerails rather than outside like the truck. But, orientation and operation is the same as the truck.

I was able to pull parts from this box and put them into a truck housing. Everything internally seems the same.

Now, all I need is the lower bushing and some seals and I'll have it back together.

By the way, the boxes range from earliest of 64 model all the way up through the late 70's model trucks. The interchange is over a wide range of years.

[grumsey1]

Thanks for the info. I talked with Dan from Dan's Classic Chevy Parts in Portland Ore. He gave told me one could get a bushing from GM and it would have to be cut down but would work. He gave me the name of a Portland company that would have the bearngs, seals (gasket) one and I would have to make the other out of gasket material.

I will be going into Portland at the end of the week and stop by his place and get all the info, and this time write it down where it won't get tossed.

Going to see if I can post a photo of my box, so you can see if it's different.

Will post any info. from Dan's about the parts and location of.

Tried to upload a few photos but they didn't show up, have them on file if interested to see email me at grumsey@earthlink.net

Thanks,
Glen

[b454rat]

Think you could send some body parts this way?? I need some, not gonna find any clean ones here. Most of them are slowly rotting away....

[JRB]

Hello,
I need a realy strait set of front fenders for my 64 shortwide, I also could use a set of stepside fenders 68-72. If you find any of these parts please let me know.
I have rebuilt those steering boxes and I will tell you that you dont want to overtorque the screw in the end of the steering box, the one with the jam nut on it. It can cause the steering box to lock up on you. Good luck with your project.
Thanks,
JRB