Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

[Mike E.]

I finished setup, cleaning, installing new bearings and seals in my steering box this weekend and I noticed this flat spot on the side of it. Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?



Mike

[Jim S.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

I think that is just where they snag ground the casting flash.
Jim

[Gary R.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

I just did a box like that

[Mike E.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

I just did a box like that

Thanks guys!

Thank you Gary for the tips on how to set it up! I do see slight bounce of about +/-.25 in/lb. on the TQ wrench off center running 4 in/lbs. and the center peaks at 11 in/lbs.

It probably could be better with a new worm, I'll see how it drives when all is said and done. For years I've wondered what the term recirculating ball steering meant; now I know.


Mike

[Gary R.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

Mike
You can run it at 5 in/lb preload and 12 on center for better feel.

[Mike E.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

Mike
You can run it at 5 in/lb preload and 12 on center for better feel.

Thanks,
I can dial that in pretty easy now. It's amazing how sensitive it is, I can't imagine how anyone would get it even close without a high resolution dial torque wrench.

Mike

[Michael W.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

Did the car ever have exhaust headers?

[Mike E.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

Did the car ever have exhaust headers?

Yes it did...That thought conserned me too. The previous owner was a big time bubba. The #2 crossmember was cut out with a torch and welded back in. Needless to say I had to replace it.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

I finished setup, cleaning, installing new bearings and seals in my steering box this weekend and I noticed this flat spot on the side of it. Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?



Mike

Mike-----

It's definitely not a CASTING flaw. What you see was created by machining or grinding subsequent to the casting of the part. The question is was it created by Saginaw or was it created subsequently? That I do not know.

[Edward B.]

Re: Steering Box Casting Flaw or what?

I think that is just where they snag ground the casting flash.
Jim

Let's not overthink this thing. Jim Shea nailed it and that should put the matter to rest unless someone believes this was a mark that was part of usual production and must be replicated to the fraction of the inch on every other steering box that is not so endowed. Perhaps even a new judging standard will emerge to cover this point.