Replacing the worm in the steering?

[Longbed68]

The customer who owns the '56 pickup I'm doing said that he thinks there's a worm in the steering box that is worn and needs replaced. Why he thinks this I'm not sure, and he hasn't really described the problem to me. Being a bodyman mostly, I've not done anything like this before. Could someone please clue me in to what's involved in this so I can decide if I'm up for the job? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Dan

[Kateaux]

Most of those old type steering boxes have an adjustment for the worm gear. I have been able to adjust a lot of slop out of some older vehicles by adjusting it. I don't have a stock steering box so can't say for sure.

Kateaux

[pugs]

also I would ck out the linkage on the steering aomething else could be worn out

[dwcsr]

These are actually a recirculating ball type gear with a rack of sorts. They have a srew that the balls roll on and as you turn the wheel the balls move a rack up or down which in turn moves the sector shaft. So the worm is most likely not the issue as they rarely wear out. its usually the sector shaft bushings or wear between the rack and sector gear. The wear on the sector can be adjusted out but the bushing wear requires a rebuild. If the steering wheel has some up and down movement , pulling it toward the driver and pushing toward the axle then the bearings on the shaft are worn and that can also be adjusted to a degree. Don't confuse this with the mast bearing that is at the top of the column if thats worn it will have play when you pull it down toward your lap and then push up toward the windshield or side to side.

This link will show you the setup. In the pages that preceed and follow it there shold be some adjutment info
http://chevy.tocmp.com/shop/1955truck2/55ctsm0904.htm