Who can rebuild a steering box?
Anybody know a reputable repair mechanic in the Pacific Northwest (Preferably Seattle Area) that can do a good job rebuilding the steering box if I take it out of the car and bring it to them?
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In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
I agree. Get it rebuilt by the best.
JimComment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
I would agree. If Gary does it then you can be sure it's setup correctly.
MikeComment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
what is wrong with the box?
These boxes are VERY easy to work on.......1954 Corvette #3803 - Top Flight 2012, Bloomington Gold 2012,
Triple Diamond Award 2012, Gold Concourse Award 2012, Regional and National Top Flight 2014
1954 Corvette #3666 - "The Blue Devil" - Pennant Blue - restoration started
1957 Corvette - FI 3 sp - Black and SilverComment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
One area of wear in the manual gear box is in the pitman shaft bushings. You can actually have lost motion due to side to side wear that results in lost motion between the steering wheel and the steering linkage. Gary actually hones new bearings to a very close tolerance to minimize the clearance.
JimComment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
Thank you gentlemen for the complimants. I do appreciate and respect your comments. I certainly would be willing to help, however it appears the poster has a C1 box?
I only have the parts & work on the 63-82 boxes and really can't say who works on the C1 boxes now. I used to send them to my friend Tom Riena at Corvette Steering in SC. As many know Tom passed away back in Jan 2012 but prior to that he told me 2 things he was no longer going to do, C1 boxes and rag joints. I remember Tom telling me had used his last set of C1 gears and didn't plan on having anymore made, same with the 63-82 rags he couldn't source the material anymore. For those that don't know he supplied a rag joint as good as the originals and supplied most of the well known vendors with them. Now there are few quality rags left and those that are cost a lot more then just a few years ago when any GM dealer could get them.Comment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
I don't know if anything is wrong with it. It seemed a little loose to me so I thought I'd have it rebuilt/checked out by somebody who knows for sure.Comment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
Hi Eric
What year is it from? If it is a C2-C3 box then you can try an on the car adjustment. It is really not what I recommend because it will not address issues within the box but may help if done correctly. Look at the lash screw and nut in the cover to see if any threads are showing above it. If there are none or maybe one and the box is loose then you most likely need new gears and a rebuild. If there are 2-3 threads showing then you might get better lash if you tighten it till it's snugs up, but you have to adjust it on center only. Again this is not the best way to adjust the box but some guys want to try it. The best way is to remove the box from the car, use a 0-30 in/lb dial TW and adjust it.
One word of warning, there are a lot of boxes out there advertised as rebuilt and many have come my way. I can say they are typically over-greased and painted, most need gears and few are dialed in correctly.
Good luckComment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
Gary, thanks for the information and advice. I listed the question in the 53-55 forum but I guess I should have specified it is a 54 steering box.Comment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
Again - the 54 box is a worm gear - very very simple
I have had several apart and back together
If you want one rebuilt - but last time if I remember he was 850.00 plus.........
Call - Joe Calcagno - http://www.rarecorvettes.com/RARE/Services.html1954 Corvette #3803 - Top Flight 2012, Bloomington Gold 2012,
Triple Diamond Award 2012, Gold Concourse Award 2012, Regional and National Top Flight 2014
1954 Corvette #3666 - "The Blue Devil" - Pennant Blue - restoration started
1957 Corvette - FI 3 sp - Black and SilverComment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
Chris thanks for the information and link. I may have to tackle the job myself. Once I get the box and column out of the car I will take a look at it and make the determination. It sounds to me like you are inferring it would be a relatively easy rebuild if needed. Thanks again- EricComment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
Hi Eric
This link may help you with a C1 box. Some of the adjustments are not as precise as I would like to see referenced but it does go through the box. They are a straight forward mechanical build although awkward with the whole column in the way. The parts are expensive now as well. The C2-C3 boxes are a better built box and the cost is much less to custom build them, not that that helps you.
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
That is a great video. Along with parts 2 &3 The rebuild does not look that difficult.Comment
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Re: Who can rebuild a steering box?
Yes it gives a good overview however I don't like the hammer and chisel on the lock ring, the lack of proper preload and lash dial in- all common areas that most miss.
Those boxes use roller bearings so wear on the shaft will not be compensated for, the C2-C3 boxes use bushing and those I fit to the pitman shafts for a much better fit. The last I checked the gear prices were close to double that of the C2-C3 boxes.Comment
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