1963-82 Steering Gear Rebuild

[David R.]

I'm in the process or rebuilding the steering gear for my 1964 Convertible.

I bought a "Deluxe" rebuild kit from Corvette Central. I discovered that the kit does not contain the bushing that is in the steering gear cover. I called Corvette Central and the Tech guy was real familiar with my inquiry. He told me the kit was supplied by Bair's and to call them and complain. He said they have requested Bair's to update their kit and include this bushing.

I'm guessing that when Bair's rebuilds a customers' steering gear, they ignore any wear on this bushing.

After making a bushing driver, I have the sector shaft lower bushings installed. I did not expect a problem obtaining the cover bushing and I already removed it by carefully boring it out on my Bridgeport mill. So leaving it alone is no longer an option.

After a few calls, It seems no vendors have this bushing. How does anybody adequately rebuild their gear without this bushing?

I guess I could get some bronze bearing stock and machine my own......but what a pain in the backside!!!

Does anybody know of a source for this bushing?

Thanks in Advance!!

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963-82 Steering Gear Rebuild

Dave at one time I rebuild my 72 steering box and the kit had this bushing. and pretty sure that I brought this kit from Bair's.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963-82 Steering Gear Rebuild

I'm in the process or rebuilding the steering gear for my 1964 Convertible.

I bought a "Deluxe" rebuild kit from Corvette Central. I discovered that the kit does not contain the bushing that is in the steering gear cover. I called Corvette Central and the Tech guy was real familiar with my inquiry. He told me the kit was supplied by Bair's and to call them and complain. He said they have requested Bair's to update their kit and include this bushing.

I'm guessing that when Bair's rebuilds a customers' steering gear, they ignore any wear on this bushing.

After making a bushing driver, I have the sector shaft lower bushings installed. I did not expect a problem obtaining the cover bushing and I already removed it by carefully boring it out on my Bridgeport mill. So leaving it alone is no longer an option.

After a few calls, It seems no vendors have this bushing. How does anybody adequately rebuild their gear without this bushing?

I guess I could get some bronze bearing stock and machine my own......but what a pain in the backside!!!

Does anybody know of a source for this bushing?

Thanks in Advance!!

David-------

I don't think this bushing was ever available separately from GM. It was supplied as part of the cover assembly. I suspect that GM felt that field servicing of the bushing was not practical.

However, as I recall, the bushing is the same as the lower bushing except for the length. So, I think what folks do is to machine shorten a lower bushing. The GM part number for the lower bushing was GM #266316 but it's discontinued. I would think it would be available in the aftermarket.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963-82 Steering Gear Rebuild

You bought the part from Corvette Central???. Was the upper bearing listed as being in the kit? Think you should be calling CC back IF the upper bearing was listed in the description. The steering box shaft bushings (2) IS included in the Bair's kit part number 5075 in Bair's catalog. Otherwise you seem to know your way around a machine shop so make them and sell them to others to recover your expense.

JR

[Gary R.]

Re: 1963-82 Steering Gear Rebuild

The bushings in the kits are ok but not as good as machine fit bushings. I used to machine them from 660 bronze but it was way over kill for this application. I have them made to my spec now and final fit them. I never use kit bushings and those that have my boxes know the difference. I use oilite but you don't want to machine the ID since it will close the pores and defeat the purpose of using it in the first place. Now given these boxes never spin fast or 360* that point may not be as critical as say a motor shaft application I still maintain the oilite integrity. Joe L is correct just machine down a shaft bushing for the cover, that is what I do. I set my a Hardinge lathe and pop out 50-60 at a time.

[David R.]

Re: 1963-82 Steering Gear Rebuild

Update: Problem solved, I purchased a bronze bushing from National Bronze. Part number C1820-12. It was a bit pricey at $3.08

It was much longer than needed. I shortened it in my lathe and pressed it in place with a driver I made for the job. It was too tight after pressing it in place. A quick trip to the Sunnen rod hone brought the clearance right around .001".