Re: How to rebuild a 1937 115C steering box?
Posted by flackmaster On 2017/1/14 9:14:20
Several options -
First is LARES in I believe Ohio that I believe can rebuild yours. From the usual suppliers - rebuild "kits" are available, but they merely provide the bearings, seals and gaskets - more of a "maintenance" kit if you don't really have a significant problem.
Second is you do it yourself. there are really only two parts to the steering box (beyond bearings and seals); the cross shaft and the column shaft. If the cross shaft is worn (most likely suspect), it will take a machine shop to repair, or alternately obtain a replacement. The column shaft, with the worm gear pressed on is less likely to be your problem, but if it is, a replacement will be required. There are two bushings in the steering box, most unlikely that they are worn unless your steering box went dry and someone filled it with sand. I will be happy to consult and provide parts as required. As fumble fingered as I am, "even I" have rebuilt several of these. I can ship you a rebuilt box, ready to install if you're...
Of course another option is to have someone else local do this for you, as its not the most fun job to remove the steering box from the car without a lift...but once removed, as noted, not a difficult or complex job. I can/will post detailed photos archived on my computer when I return home next week.
If you get your column out (or at least free from the pitman arm), its pretty easy to diagnose the cross shaft with the box still in the car....
Edit - added photos of steering box components - Note per Ross' reply the stack of shims under the cross shaft and the dowel pins they sit on. if there are too many shims, the cross shaft sits too high above the column shaft, result is play in the steering. In this box, there were 5 shims - the thrust plate is much thicker with a beveled edge to match the machining on the cross shaft. Once the pitman arm is removed, the cross shaft can be lifted up/out for inspection. The Roller of the cross shaft is the #1 failure component in the steering box.
Make sense?
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First is LARES in I believe Ohio that I believe can rebuild yours. From the usual suppliers - rebuild "kits" are available, but they merely provide the bearings, seals and gaskets - more of a "maintenance" kit if you don't really have a significant problem.
Second is you do it yourself. there are really only two parts to the steering box (beyond bearings and seals); the cross shaft and the column shaft. If the cross shaft is worn (most likely suspect), it will take a machine shop to repair, or alternately obtain a replacement. The column shaft, with the worm gear pressed on is less likely to be your problem, but if it is, a replacement will be required. There are two bushings in the steering box, most unlikely that they are worn unless your steering box went dry and someone filled it with sand. I will be happy to consult and provide parts as required. As fumble fingered as I am, "even I" have rebuilt several of these. I can ship you a rebuilt box, ready to install if you're...
Of course another option is to have someone else local do this for you, as its not the most fun job to remove the steering box from the car without a lift...but once removed, as noted, not a difficult or complex job. I can/will post detailed photos archived on my computer when I return home next week.
If you get your column out (or at least free from the pitman arm), its pretty easy to diagnose the cross shaft with the box still in the car....
Edit - added photos of steering box components - Note per Ross' reply the stack of shims under the cross shaft and the dowel pins they sit on. if there are too many shims, the cross shaft sits too high above the column shaft, result is play in the steering. In this box, there were 5 shims - the thrust plate is much thicker with a beveled edge to match the machining on the cross shaft. Once the pitman arm is removed, the cross shaft can be lifted up/out for inspection. The Roller of the cross shaft is the #1 failure component in the steering box.
Make sense?
Attach file:
(136.67 KB)
(146.92 KB)
(230.55 KB)
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