1969 steering box bushings
The bushings in my steering box have groves cut in them to allow grease to circulate. The bushings that came with the rebuild kit I bought don't have grooves. Will using bushings with grooves affect the life of the shaft? If so, does anyone know where I can find bushings with grooves cut? I bought the steering box at corvette steering. Thanks.
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Re: 1969 steering box bushings
William------
I don't know if I'd describe them as "grooves" but the original and GM SERVICE bushings did have what I'd call "cavities" on the surface for the purpose you describe. Actually, this type bushing was used for other automotive bushing applications, too. The transmission extension housing bushing is one of them.
In any event, the last time I purchased the GM bushings, they were of the style with "cavities". Those bushings are still available under the original part number of GM #266316, but they GM list for about 20 bucks, each. I do not know, though, if the bushings available under that part number remain the same as the last time I purchased them. I expect so, but I don't know so.
By the way, there are 2 of these bushings in the steering box. One is the one mounted in the steering box main case. The other is installed in the side cover. However, this bushing was never intended to be replaced; instead, the cover was to be replaced which was supplied with a new bushing. The cover is no longer available from GM, though. To replace the cover bushing one of the same bushings as installed in the housing needs to be cut down in length in a lathe. It can also be very tricky to remove the old bushing and install the new.In Appreciation of John Hinckley
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