major steeing gear box screw up-help

[Bill M.]

Re: major steeing gear box screw up-help

I'm not sure whether or not the C1 steering worm/sector adjustment is any more critical than in any other recirculating ball type steering box, but I have adjusted dozens of them over the years without benefit of any special force measuring instruments. I have never had a callback for a "burned out" steering box.

One cannot get into trouble if one adjusts the clearance on the "loose" side; it's on the "tight" side where one can get into a lot of trouble over the long haul......................

Joe and Steve:

The box is a worm and roller, not recirculating ball. I messed up my '59 steering box by adjusting without following the ST-12 procedure. I wound up replacing both gearbox shafts (they were still available from service).

I didn't remove the pitman arm, just disconnected the linkage. I used a fish scale on the steering wheel to measure load.

Bill

[Mike M.]

Re: major steeing gear box screw up-help

Mike:

That had occurred to me. Around here ( I'm about 5 miles west of Philly), the only people I know of who have the knowledge to do a C-1 steering box adjustment, is County Corvettes in West Chester Pa. about 25 miles west. It's still a possibility. I hate doing things half-assed, and this is will annoy me if I don't do it right. Still weighing my options.
Thanks again
Steve

is Dick Robinson's shop near you. he can adjust the geares for you (blindfolded). mike

[John H.]

Re: major steeing gear box screw up-help

I believe that the pitman arm is bolted on using 100-125 ft/lb of torque. That would be problematic for me trying to un-torque and re-torque it while laying on my back under the car. Removing the drag link also scares the hell out of me.

Steve -

You don't need to remove the pitman arm - just remove the drag link at the pitman arm end. Sears has drag link sockets, which makes it easier to remove the big threaded plug after you pull the cotter pin. Read the section in the ST-12 on "high-point centering" - that's why the adjustments are important. If you set it up too tight, the worm and the sector roller can be damaged.

[Edward M.]

Re: major steeing gear box screw up-help

Our local C1 steering gear guy (Morgan Chemello) uses a Chatillon 0-10# pull gage; if you don't do these bearing adjustments right, you'll be buying expen$ive parts later.

John;

How is it that you manage to have a photograph for every question that comes up? How many photos do you have?

They are very much appreciated.

[Stephen R.]

Re: major steeing gear box screw up-help

Mike, who is Dick Robinson? Do you have an address for him? Is he near philly?
Thanks to all for you help.

[Mike M.]

Re: major steeing gear box screw up-help

dick is probably the most knowledgable 56-7 vette member in ncrs. very talented and very honest. his # is 215 947 2272(shop during the day) you can use my name when speaking with dick. he's near Philly.mike

[John H.]

Re: major steeing gear box screw up-help

John;

How is it that you manage to have a photograph for every question that comes up? How many photos do you have?

They are very much appreciated.

Ed -

I have about 20,000 or so in digital format. I do my own photography for my magazine feature technical articles and columns, and I've written about 150 of them since 2003; I shoot 30-40 photos per article, and select 12-18 of them per article to publish. Have another couple of thousand from the pre-digital days that I haven't gotten around to scanning yet.

Organizing them for quick access is the secret, and I've developed a good folder/topic system for that.