Re: Steering gear box removal/rebuild
Posted by HH56 On 2017/3/19 13:50:35
The 55 and before is a one piece shaft so the steering wheel will need to come off to remove the shaft from the column. The horn button emblem above the nut is held by a compressed rubber O ring but be advised the old rubber ring may have deteriorated and is now acting like glue. IIRC, there is another rubber cushion under the emblem which could be in equally sad shape. Be careful in removing the emblem because it is brittle and prying it out could cause a chunk of the clear plastic to chip off.
Once the wheel is off disconnect the plug for the turn signal switch under the dash and also disconnect the brake pedal from BTV and remove the toe plate at the floor. That frees space around the column at the bottom. The brake pedal can usually be tied up out of the way but whether the BTV itself will need to be removed is your call. Remove or disconnect the neutral safety switch from the column on engine side and also disconnect the shift rod at the upper end. There is a clamp around the base of the column at the steering box. Loosen or remove that clamp. The last remaining fastening is under the dash at the bracket holding the column to the brace and dash. Remove any screws holding the rubber cover to the dash and push that aside to access the bolts holding the bracket to the brace. Note the gearshift indicator is also clamped under that rubber cover. It should be possible to drop the column down with it still attached but be careful of it. If there is doubt remove the clamp to the wire and move it out of the indicator area.
After the bolts holding the column bracket to the brace are removed the column should be free to rotate as needed for clearance and slide up the shaft. There is one more obstruction pre 55 but I am not sure about 55s. If the column does not want to freely slide up the shaft and off, there is a concave ring which forms part of the upper bearing assy. It needs to be removed on earlier shafts but since the 55 has a completely different upper end and maybe a different bearing I am not sure if the ring is still an issue.
Here is an illustration showing the ring location on pre 55s. Look closely down inside your bearing and see if there is anything resembling a split concave ring forming part of the inner race for the ball bearing. It may be well inside and covered with grease so look carefully. If you find one, remove it so the column can slide up and off the shaft. The shaft and column is long so cover the end or be careful nothing dirty touches the headliner. If the angle is too great and column won't clear the shaft before hitting the headliner, loosen or remove bolts holding the box to the frame so the angle on the shaft can be lowered a bit. After the column is off and pitman arm or any other attachments are free, the box and shaft is removed as an assy.
One possibility you could also consider in lieu of a rebuild is get another column. I believe Gerry at Packards Southwest has several but no idea on price or condition as compared to a rebuild. Mike Dulinski in Minnesota would be another source for used.
Attach file:
(27.14 KB)
Once the wheel is off disconnect the plug for the turn signal switch under the dash and also disconnect the brake pedal from BTV and remove the toe plate at the floor. That frees space around the column at the bottom. The brake pedal can usually be tied up out of the way but whether the BTV itself will need to be removed is your call. Remove or disconnect the neutral safety switch from the column on engine side and also disconnect the shift rod at the upper end. There is a clamp around the base of the column at the steering box. Loosen or remove that clamp. The last remaining fastening is under the dash at the bracket holding the column to the brace and dash. Remove any screws holding the rubber cover to the dash and push that aside to access the bolts holding the bracket to the brace. Note the gearshift indicator is also clamped under that rubber cover. It should be possible to drop the column down with it still attached but be careful of it. If there is doubt remove the clamp to the wire and move it out of the indicator area.
After the bolts holding the column bracket to the brace are removed the column should be free to rotate as needed for clearance and slide up the shaft. There is one more obstruction pre 55 but I am not sure about 55s. If the column does not want to freely slide up the shaft and off, there is a concave ring which forms part of the upper bearing assy. It needs to be removed on earlier shafts but since the 55 has a completely different upper end and maybe a different bearing I am not sure if the ring is still an issue.
Here is an illustration showing the ring location on pre 55s. Look closely down inside your bearing and see if there is anything resembling a split concave ring forming part of the inner race for the ball bearing. It may be well inside and covered with grease so look carefully. If you find one, remove it so the column can slide up and off the shaft. The shaft and column is long so cover the end or be careful nothing dirty touches the headliner. If the angle is too great and column won't clear the shaft before hitting the headliner, loosen or remove bolts holding the box to the frame so the angle on the shaft can be lowered a bit. After the column is off and pitman arm or any other attachments are free, the box and shaft is removed as an assy.
One possibility you could also consider in lieu of a rebuild is get another column. I believe Gerry at Packards Southwest has several but no idea on price or condition as compared to a rebuild. Mike Dulinski in Minnesota would be another source for used.
Attach file:
(27.14 KB)
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