Rebuild Kit for a 1965 GMC 1500 Steering Gearbox?

[mookiex4]

Good Day all,

I was wondering if anyone has sourced out a rebuild Kit for a Manual Steering gearbox on a 1965 GMC 3/4 Ton 1500 Series truck? I realize Chevy should be the same, but all I can find are rebuild kits for power steering. While my 283 that I installed has the Power Steering pump on it, I have a lot of work to do before I can think about making the transition. Right now I prefer to rebuild the manual one.

Unless power is an easy and cheap swap?

Thanks all for your input...

[66Submarine]

What do you need? You can get the seals if it's leaking; not sure about the pitman shaft bearing/bushing, but I think I have also seen those. If it's just a little loose in the middle you can probably just adjust the play out. I have done this the a few of mine, they were pretty nasty (pitted gears and a fair amount of slop), but adjusted up just fine. I can post the info on doing this if you need it (from the gm book and what I've personally done).

[mookiex4]

It is not leaking. I have adjusted the adjustment screw dow. As far as it goes. It still has a lot of slop. So much so that when is catches a groove on the highway I have to fight it. I wanted to rebuild with new bearings and internal workings. Really other tha. Seals and bearings there isn't anything else on a manual steering gear box. I cannot find any rebuild kits other than power steering. I need it for a manual rack and pinon gear box. I am not sure what you mean about adjustment. The screw on the box is the only adjustment I am aware of. Posting the steps would be quite helpful if that will fix my problem.
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[66Submarine]

Sounds like something is really wrong. If you really just laid down on the adjustment screw it should have just bound the steering box up; there is no "as far as it goes" really.

To adjust them it's best to take them off the truck. There is a preload torque for the worm shaft and the sector/pitman shaft; you basically adjust both of them until you have a slight amount of bearing drag. I'll try to upload that section of the manual for you and post back when I have it up.

These steering boxes are a normal recirculating ball type BTW, not rack and pinion; that's a totally different thing altogether.

If you can't just adjust yours, it would probably be cheapest to just buy another off the board here. There are only a few guys like me that prefer the normal steering, so the boxes aren't worth much; I bought one that was pretty much like new mechanically for $30 shipped IIRC.

Although, it sounds like your front end may also be worn out; the pitman arm, idler arm, etc, could be what's giving you trouble. Look at the pitman arm while you rock the steering shaft back and fourth; you may find it's not the steering box that's loose. (Some seem to also have trouble with loose rag joints, but I never do)

[66Submarine]

Here ya go buddy, here's a link to the '67 gm manual on it, same thing as you '65 for this purpose. http://www.66submarine.com/67truckmanualsteeringbox.pdf (Check out the website if you don't mind, I'd love some more feedback on it; www.66submarine.com )

I don't have an inch pound wrench, so I just adjusted both for a very slight bit of drag and no play when turning the worm gear shaft by hand back and fourth; as per the manual, the steering box MUST be centered in it's range to do this or it'll bind at center. I have also just centered the wheels and adjusted the sector down screw very, very lightly while rocking the steering shaft, to take the play out while the box is on the truck; that also works for me, but it's not as good. (You'll feel the screw hit the sector shaft and stop freely threading in; the screw needs to be clean and oily so it will turn freely obviously beforehand.)

Also remember to make sure you scrape the crud off and check the lube level when you do all this.

Hope this helps

[mookiex4]

Thanks 66 it does help and I know what I am going to be doing this weekend besides winterizing the boat and trailer. Looks like summer is heading out the door here in Reno...

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

Here ya go buddy, here's a link to the '67 gm manual on it, same thing as you '65 for this purpose. http://www.66submarine.com/67truckmanualsteeringbox.pdf (Check out the website if you don't mind, I'd love some more feedback on it; www.66submarine.com )

I don't have an inch pound wrench, so I just adjusted both for a very slight bit of drag and no play when turning the worm gear shaft by hand back and fourth; as per the manual, the steering box MUST be centered in it's range to do this or it'll bind at center. I have also just centered the wheels and adjusted the sector down screw very, very lightly while rocking the steering shaft, to take the play out while the box is on the truck; that also works for me, but it's not as good. (You'll feel the screw hit the sector shaft and stop freely threading in; the screw needs to be clean and oily so it will turn freely obviously beforehand.)

Also remember to make sure you scrape the crud off and check the lube level when you do all this.

Hope this helps

[66Submarine]

Glad I could help.