Steering gear box play - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Beaumont@ · 07-13-2014, 05:37 PM

Is it normal to have a little play in these truck gear boxes? I replaced mine over a year ago with a reman Napa box and it has some play. I assumed that as soon as the input shaft turns that the pitman arm shaft should turn as well with no play? Mine is a mid 80's 7802644L steering gearbox. Whats the deal do the worm gear or sector shaft/rack gear wear over time? Any info would pretty appreciated. I want my steering to be as tight as possible

Sammy · 07-14-2014, 10:34 PM

Suspect the worm gear was barely in specs or overlooked. I had one completely fail during parking before on a old gear box. Glad I was only doing a crawl during the turn in. Would have been a mean accident at a speed. For that reason I don't take chances with a gear box I can't see inside or know if it had been in a flood before etc.

69-72 · 07-15-2014, 07:18 PM

Check out redhead steering gears if you want to buy a steering box that will be a reliable rebuild.

SS Tim · 07-15-2014, 08:08 PM

Just about anything in the front suspension/steering system can result in steering wheel play. Tightest steering box in the world isn't going to do well with worn parts allowing relative movement.
Might just want to start with a manual and check everything out.
RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-15-2014, 08:11 PM

Yep, we sell red-head steering gears. They are remanufactured not just rebuilt. Most retail companied like napa, and others buy their rebuilt gears from A-1 Cardone. Their policy is replace what's broke and you get gears that have lots of ware on them. red-head completely remanufactures their gears and all bearings are replaced as are the gears that are worn. WES

Beaumont@ · 07-15-2014, 10:35 PM

Everything else is tight already checked. The gear box has some play in it they shouldn't, disappointing for a reman Napa box less than a year old. Anyways Red head is the name that pops up all the time. I gave them a call looks good. I'll probably give them a shot if the sector shaft adjustment doesn't do much good.

07-13-2014, 05:37 PM	#1
Beaumont@ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Western Canada Posts: 239	Steering gear box play Is it normal to have a little play in these truck gear boxes? I replaced mine over a year ago with a reman Napa box and it has some play. I assumed that as soon as the input shaft turns that the pitman arm shaft should turn as well with no play? Mine is a mid 80's 7802644L steering gearbox. Whats the deal do the worm gear or sector shaft/rack gear wear over time? Any info would pretty appreciated. I want my steering to be as tight as possible

07-14-2014, 10:34 PM	#2
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Steering gear box play Suspect the worm gear was barely in specs or overlooked. I had one completely fail during parking before on a old gear box. Glad I was only doing a crawl during the turn in. Would have been a mean accident at a speed. For that reason I don't take chances with a gear box I can't see inside or know if it had been in a flood before etc. __________________ '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"

07-15-2014, 07:18 PM	#3
69-72 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: 204 Posts: 903	Re: Steering gear box play Check out redhead steering gears if you want to buy a steering box that will be a reliable rebuild. __________________ 1969 Chevy Custom Camper 3/4 ton Rust free survivor 1972 Chevy Blazer CST 4x4 Almost Rust free survivor 1972 GMC Jimmy 2wd Undergoing surgery

07-15-2014, 08:08 PM	#4
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Steering gear box play Just about anything in the front suspension/steering system can result in steering wheel play. Tightest steering box in the world isn't going to do well with worn parts allowing relative movement. Might just want to start with a manual and check everything out. RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

07-15-2014, 08:11 PM	#5
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Steering gear box play Yep, we sell red-head steering gears. They are remanufactured not just rebuilt. Most retail companied like napa, and others buy their rebuilt gears from A-1 Cardone. Their policy is replace what's broke and you get gears that have lots of ware on them. red-head completely remanufactures their gears and all bearings are replaced as are the gears that are worn. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

07-15-2014, 10:35 PM	#6
Beaumont@ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Western Canada Posts: 239	Re: Steering gear box play Everything else is tight already checked. The gear box has some play in it they shouldn't, disappointing for a reman Napa box less than a year old. Anyways Red head is the name that pops up all the time. I gave them a call looks good. I'll probably give them a shot if the sector shaft adjustment doesn't do much good.



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