C2 Steering Gear Condition - NCRS Discussion Boards

C2 Steering Gear Condition

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  • George C.
    Expired
    • November 1, 2001
    • 568

    C2 Steering Gear Condition

    I am trying to decide if my steering box needs to be replaced/rebuilt With everything off the steering gear except the Pitman Arm, rotating the steering shaft produces a gritty feel. This is working directly on the shaft, as the steering column is out of the car. There are no rough spots, and no hard spots just a strange feeling to the motion. Should this turning action produce a smooth feel? I have found rebuild services, as well as a rebuild kit in the catalogs. I would like some input from those who have been there before deciding a course of action. I have read the service manual, and except for all the special tools suggested, the rebuild seems uncomplicated.

    Thanks in advance,

    George
  • Duke W.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • January 1, 1993
    • 15674

    #2
    Re: C2 Steering Gear Condition

    Any 30 year old car could probably use a steering gear rebuild, and the Corvette steering gear tends to get the grease cooked out of it over the years because of it's proximity to the exhaust manifold.

    The rebuild is straight forward and would not be a signficant challenge to mechanically competent, patient and thorough amateur restorer. The only special tool you really need is a 25 inch-pound torque wrench to set up the worm bearing preload and total preload. As I recall a 9/16" 12-point socket will grasp the worm shaft spline for checking the preload torques.

    Duke

    Comment

    • George C.
      Expired
      • November 1, 2001
      • 568

      #3
      Re: C2 Steering Gear Condition

      Duke,

      Thanks for your response. I found some information in the archives, yep even some you wrote. I just went back into the garage and checked again, the gritty or notchy as others put it, feeling is there, yet minor. I can also feel the high point resistance at the center of travel. Also the box seems to have a green chasis lube in it so maybe it has been worked on before I bought it, I think I read they originally used gear lube. I still don't know what to do with it yet but have plenty to do while I decide. I have found yet another reason why not to buy a car with no history.

      Thanks again,

      George

      Comment

      • Duke W.
        Beyond Control Poster
        • January 1, 1993
        • 15674

        #4
        Re: C2 Steering Gear Condition

        It's been awhile since I rebuilt my steering gear, but I think the feel of yours may be normal. Maybe someone else with a fresh steering gear on the bench can give you a comparison. The original steering gear from my Cosworth Vega feels very similar to what you describe. (I replaced it with an over-the-counter fast ratio steering gear from GM twenty years ago.)

        Originally GM put a "special" grease in the Corvette Steering gear, but it has been discontinued and they now call for a chassis grease.

        The cost of rebuilding my gear was peanuts - seals and a sector shaft shim kit as I replaced the shim under the sector adjustment nut to bring the clearance down to minimum. The was some very slight galling on the gear, but I reused it along with the worm bearings and all other parts, which were in excellent condition. The key is to get the preloads right, and I spent whatever time was needed to get them exactly where I wanted them in the shop manual specified range.

        Duke

        Comment

        • George C.
          Expired
          • November 1, 2001
          • 568

          #5
          Re: C2 Steering Gear Condition

          Duke,

          Thanks again. I ordered the rebuild kit from LICS today. If I just change the bearings and seals I can feel better about knowing what I have. I always wanted an excuse to buy an inch lbs torque wrench anyway.

          George

          Comment

          • Stephen L.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • May 31, 1984
            • 3158

            #6
            Re: C2 Steering Gear Condition

            I recently rebuilt my steering box. I would also recommend that you replace the sleeve bushings on the pitman shaft as long as you are in there..... They don't cost much.

            Comment

            • George C.
              Expired
              • November 1, 2001
              • 568

              #7
              Re: C2 Steering Gear Condition

              Steve,

              Thanks for the tip, I got the rebuild kit today, there are three sleeve bushings in it. I haven't taken mine apart as of yet, so I am not sure where everything goes. For now I will assume I have a complete kit with all neccesary sleeves you mentioned.

              George

              Comment

              • Craig S.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • June 30, 1997
                • 2471

                #8
                Re: C2 Steering Gear Condition

                George - make sure your get a dial type torque wrench, or, a beam type, not the ratcheting click type...you want to read the torque as the unit rotates....Craig

                Comment

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