1972 c10 Steering gearbox - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gimpie01 · 10-01-2012, 09:22 AM

Steering gearbox has started leaking. My question is, should i replace it or rebuild it. What type of job is the rebuild? Thanks for you input.

71K20chevy · 10-01-2012, 09:29 AM

For a temporary fix you can pour a little bit (not very much) of brake fluid in there. It makes the rubber seals swell up...it didn't stop mine completely but it slowed it down.

kcsa75 · 10-01-2012, 04:24 PM

I had the same issue. I talked with a few people who recommended against a rebuilding the existing gear. Said they don't hold up. So I went ahead and replaced mine.

The only issue I ran into was replacing the rag joint. Maybe I don't know the trick, but I could not get a new rag joint on to the gear. After wasting half a day running around trying to figure this out, I went to LMC. The steering gear (assuming your truck has power steering) they offer -- 34-1020-Z POWER STEERING GEAR-REMAN -- is more money but includes the rag joint already attached. It doesn't show it in the picture but it's there.

It was also recommended to replace the power steering hose in the process. Again, based on experience, I would take my old hose to the parts store rather than order online or through the mail. There are several options for these hoses and you can save yourself a lot of time and frustration.

Regardless it was worth every bit of the time and money the first time I drove it.

That's my two cents worth. Good luck.

68gmsee · 10-01-2012, 04:48 PM

If the gearbox is okay and it's just the seals leaking it's easy enough to replace them. You just have to do some do some research and follow step by step instructions. I replaced all the seals on mine and had no problems doing it.

There are some good youtube videos and other sites on how to do this if you have the time and mechanical ability. Otherwise, buy a rebuilt unit.

1970 Bowtie · 10-01-2012, 05:48 PM

Heres a vid that shows a rebuild on a power steering box that may help you decide.Its not hard to do but not as easy as they make look.http://www.mypowerblock.com/video/mu...steering-box-1

slikside · 10-01-2012, 07:38 PM

subscribed.

Sammy · 10-01-2012, 08:09 PM

I have had one gear box lock up on me while driving when the internal workings failed. Anything that crucial as a steering gear box, I purchase a rebuilt box for anything 40 years old. Luckily I was only doing 5 MPH when mine locked up without a warning in a left hand turn. You have no idea how many miles has been put on them or what flood the truck was in over the years. Now take ur kids for a ride down the highway at 70 MPH. Not me.

Mrhorsepower97 · 10-02-2012, 02:00 PM

Mine was leaking and simply old and wore out so it was easier for me to but a new one and turn in the old one for a core charge refund. Best of luck.

**leddzepp** · 10-02-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrhorsepower97

Mine was leaking and simply old and wore out so it was easier for me to but a new one and turn in the old one for a core charge refund. Best of luck.

This is what I did. Cost me $119 at Oreillys
Posted via Mobile Device

mtnbikeman · 10-02-2012, 02:50 PM

Send it to RedHead Steering gear for a rebuild if you want to keep the same box. That's what I did. Or exchange it with a pre-built one from them. They are top quality with great customer service. I know some of the vendors on here carry them as well.

OldCreek · 10-02-2012, 03:07 PM

I rebuilt one and it started leaking more than before...so I used it as a core. The seal/o-rings can be a little tricky (for me anyways).

10-01-2012, 09:22 AM	#1
gimpie01 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 47	1972 c10 Steering gearbox Steering gearbox has started leaking. My question is, should i replace it or rebuild it. What type of job is the rebuild? Thanks for you input.

10-01-2012, 09:29 AM	#2
71K20chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ft Wayne Indiana Posts: 1,204	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox For a temporary fix you can pour a little bit (not very much) of brake fluid in there. It makes the rubber seals swell up...it didn't stop mine completely but it slowed it down. __________________ 71 K20 64 GMC mud truck

10-01-2012, 04:24 PM	#3
kcsa75 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 3,590	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox I had the same issue. I talked with a few people who recommended against a rebuilding the existing gear. Said they don't hold up. So I went ahead and replaced mine. The only issue I ran into was replacing the rag joint. Maybe I don't know the trick, but I could not get a new rag joint on to the gear. After wasting half a day running around trying to figure this out, I went to LMC. The steering gear (assuming your truck has power steering) they offer -- 34-1020-Z POWER STEERING GEAR-REMAN -- is more money but includes the rag joint already attached. It doesn't show it in the picture but it's there. It was also recommended to replace the power steering hose in the process. Again, based on experience, I would take my old hose to the parts store rather than order online or through the mail. There are several options for these hoses and you can save yourself a lot of time and frustration. Regardless it was worth every bit of the time and money the first time I drove it. That's my two cents worth. Good luck. __________________ Willie Swamp Angel Truckers '72 C10 Highlander *People who blindly follow a GPS end up on television programs on The Weather Channel. Some survive, some don't.*

10-01-2012, 04:48 PM	#4
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox If the gearbox is okay and it's just the seals leaking it's easy enough to replace them. You just have to do some do some research and follow step by step instructions. I replaced all the seals on mine and had no problems doing it. There are some good youtube videos and other sites on how to do this if you have the time and mechanical ability. Otherwise, buy a rebuilt unit. __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...

10-01-2012, 05:48 PM	#5
1970 Bowtie It's all in the timing Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lake Mary,Florida Posts: 600	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox Heres a vid that shows a rebuild on a power steering box that may help you decide.Its not hard to do but not as easy as they make look.http://www.mypowerblock.com/video/mu...steering-box-1 __________________ The Dude Abides. ---------------------- I aint sayin, I'm just sayin.

10-01-2012, 07:38 PM	#6
slikside Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego Co. Posts: 1,160	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox subscribed.

10-01-2012, 08:09 PM	#7
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox I have had one gear box lock up on me while driving when the internal workings failed. Anything that crucial as a steering gear box, I purchase a rebuilt box for anything 40 years old. Luckily I was only doing 5 MPH when mine locked up without a warning in a left hand turn. You have no idea how many miles has been put on them or what flood the truck was in over the years. Now take ur kids for a ride down the highway at 70 MPH. Not me. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

10-02-2012, 02:00 PM	#8
Mrhorsepower97 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Gainesville, VA Posts: 32	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox Mine was leaking and simply old and wore out so it was easier for me to but a new one and turn in the old one for a core charge refund. Best of luck.

10-02-2012, 02:50 PM	#10
mtnbikeman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 40	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox Send it to RedHead Steering gear for a rebuild if you want to keep the same box. That's what I did. Or exchange it with a pre-built one from them. They are top quality with great customer service. I know some of the vendors on here carry them as well.

10-02-2012, 03:07 PM	#11
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: 1972 c10 Steering gearbox I rebuilt one and it started leaking more than before...so I used it as a core. The seal/o-rings can be a little tricky (for me anyways). __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263



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