Help With Manual Steering Box! There Must Be Another Answer...

[C10TN]

So... I've started fixing up my 66 stepside project and this forum has been a great source of information and inspiration... and I'm hoping to get a little more help now.

My steering has some pretty serious slack in it. Everything is pretty tight underneath and I'm pretty certain the issue is the gearbox. I've adjusted it all I can and still it's very sloppy. Logically, It seems like it is just worn out so I decided to replace it, but when I started looking around at them, I about lost my lunch! Local speed shop wants $370 plus tax and shipping. WOW! Looks like they are $299 at LMC. So my question is... since I'm sure that many of these old gear boxes get worn out, there must be another answer. Anybody have a source for these gear boxes that don't cost an arm and a leg? Is there a re-build kit for them? Man, nearly $400 seems like highway robbery. Is this my only option?

Any help appreciated.

[awbrown]

I just changed mine over to PS , if I can find my box I will see if it is better than what you have ....

[Sneaux]

http://advancesteeringsupply.com/60-...manualgear.htm

Or if you want to upgrade to power

http://advancesteeringsupply.com/60-...chevytruck.htm

[C10TN]

Originally Posted by awbrown

I just changed mine over to PS , if I can find my box I will see if it is better than what you have ....

That would be awesome!

[C10TN]

Originally Posted by Sneaux

http://advancesteeringsupply.com/60-...manualgear.htm

Or if you want to upgrade to power

http://advancesteeringsupply.com/60-...chevytruck.htm

Thanks!

[padresag]

Originally Posted by C10TN

So... I've started fixing up my 66 stepside project and this forum has been a great source of information and inspiration... and I'm hoping to get a little more help now.

My steering has some pretty serious slack in it. Everything is pretty tight underneath and I'm pretty certain the issue is the gearbox. I've adjusted it all I can and still it's very sloppy. Logically, It seems like it is just worn out so I decided to replace it, but when I started looking around at them, I about lost my lunch! Local speed shop wants $370 plus tax and shipping. WOW! Looks like they are $299 at LMC. So my question is... since I'm sure that many of these old gear boxes get worn out, there must be another answer. Anybody have a source for these gear boxes that don't cost an arm and a leg? Is there a re-build kit for them? Man, nearly $400 seems like highway robbery. Is this my only option?

Any help appreciated.

this fellow may be able to help you. either with parts or rebuilding it. give him a call. it says power steering, but he can help
http://www.chevyps.com/
ron

[Captainfab]

If your manual steering box is worn out, I wouldn't mess with it. I would just upgrade to power steering. The conversion can be done for less than the cost of a new manual steering box. Of course you could spend more, depending on your skills and resources. It is so worth the effort and expense.

[MikeS.]

Hey man, welcome to the board. Go with the PS. Made a huge improvement on my 63Burb.

You anywhere nears Goodletsville?

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I agree the power srg. is the way to go but thse manual boxes are easy to rebuild & parts are readily available for them.

[gofastnut]

Hey C10TN, how mechanically handy are you? You can buy rebuild kits for a manual box, usually a complete kit is less than $100, that is, if you're stuck on having manual. I've got manual on mine too, and for $300-$400, you can swap to power. It comes down to watch want.

[markeb01]

Back in 1992 the original manual box in my truck was nearly inoperable. I spent almost $100 on a supposedly rebuild manual replacement, and it was just as bad as the first one. Not wanting to continue throwing money away I swapped to power steering. It makes the truck so much more pleasurable to drive I wouldn’t go back to manual even if I were given an NOS manual box.

[C10TN]

Originally Posted by MikeS.

You anywhere nears Goodletsville?

Yeah... pretty close. You from here?