1997 Chevy Saginaw-800 Steering Box....metric bolts?

[Greg72]

I have a feeling that my new steering box is metric.

I tried a 1/2" bolt in the mounting holes and it's super sloppy, but 9/16 won't even catch a thread and start.... Anyone know off the top of their head what sort of bolts are used in this application?


-G

 

[bronc3buster842001]

Should be a 12 or 14 mm bolt...

 

[4X4HIGH]

If the box uses o-ring style lines it is a metric box and will actually have "metric" cast right into the box on a rib just behind the pulley.

 

[63chevyll]

Its a 14x something. I have tap for one

 

[4X4HIGH]

Greg, the holes for the mounting bracket should be a 10mm x 1.25 pitch (.393" diameter) which would use a 16mm wrench/socket. The SAE version used a 3/8" bolt (.375" diameter) which would use a 9/16" wrench/socket

 

[Blue85]

If the box uses o-ring style lines it is a metric box and will actually have "metric" cast right into the box on a rib just behind the pulley.

Yes, it's true. I worked in Saginaw Steering Gear plant #2 for a summer. These were always referred to as "metric" gears.

 

[Greg72]

Well I went to HD today, and 10mm is WAY too small looking.... I bought a 12mm bolt and tried to get a 14mm but they didn't have any...

When I got home, the 12mm fell right through the hole. D'oh! I'm guessing it's 14mm after all.

TO BE CONTINUED...


-G

 

[4X4HIGH]

Well I went to HD today, and 10mm is WAY too small looking.... I bought a 12mm bolt and tried to get a 14mm but they didn't have any...

When I got home, the 12mm fell right through the hole. D'oh! I'm guessing it's 14mm after all.

TO BE CONTINUED...


-G

Greg, are you going by THREAD size or WRENCH size? I'm guessing wrench size as I know for a fact that the thread size IS NOT larger than 10mm.

 

[Greg72]

Greg, are you going by THREAD size or WRENCH size? I'm guessing wrench size as I know for a fact that the thread size IS NOT larger than 10mm.

Thread size.....

I tried a 12mm x 2.0 pitch and it wasn't big enough.

I'm talking about the steering box, not a steering pump. These are the holes that cinch the steering box tight to the frame. They're are only three of them on this style box (not the 4 I'm used to).


-G

 

[4X4HIGH]

Thread size.....

I tried a 12mm x 2.0 pitch and it wasn't big enough.

I'm talking about the steering box, not a steering pump. These are the holes that cinch the steering box tight to the frame. They're are only three of them on this style box (not the 4 I'm used to).


-G

My bad, not sure why I kept thinking you were talking about the power steering pump.

 

[63chevyll]

Well I went to HD today, and 10mm is WAY too small looking.... I bought a 12mm bolt and tried to get a 14mm but they didn't have any...

When I got home, the 12mm fell right through the hole. D'oh! I'm guessing it's 14mm after all.

TO BE CONTINUED...


-G

I wasn't lying. I just don't have a tap in front of me and its been about 14 years since I used it last

 

[Greg72]

I wasn't lying. I just don't have a tap in front of me and its been about 14 years since I used it last

It seems like you were right on the money. I had every intention of buying a 14mm bolt when I was at HD. Their selection of metric bolts is feeble.

Of course, I'm not thrilled about the thought of adding metric fasteners to my American truck either. I'm still thinking about the option of drilling these holes out and retapping them to a larger SAE thread size.

-G

 

[4X4HIGH]

It seems like you were right on the money. I had every intention of buying a 14mm bolt when I was at HD. Their selection of metric bolts is feeble.

Of course, I'm not thrilled about the thought of adding metric fasteners to my American truck either. I'm still thinking about the option of drilling these holes out and retapping them to a larger SAE thread size.

-G

The lines will still be metric (no way around that).

 

[dhcomp]

Of course, I'm not thrilled about the thought of adding metric fasteners to my American truck either. I'm still thinking about the option of drilling these holes out and retapping them to a larger SAE thread size.

-G

Know your conflict. My new GM Crate motor no longer takes a 9/16" wrench on the oil drain plug. Its 13 or 14mm now. I can't even remember. How BS is that!

 

[Greg72]

Mystery solved.

14mm x 2.0 (pitch).... Works like a champ.

Upon mature reflection, I think the best way to deal with the metric issue (and not have to carry TWO sets of trail tools) will be to resize the bolt heads down to the next closest SAE size. I don't really care that the thread is metric,, I just don't want to have to carry oddball metric wrenches when I'm wheelin'.

I figure a few thousandths is probably all it would take to rework the bolt heads.



-G

 

[dhcomp]

Mystery solved.

14mm x 2.0 (pitch).... Works like a champ.

Upon mature reflection, I think the best way to deal with the metric issue (and not have to carry TWO sets of trail tools) will be to resize the bolt heads down to the next closest SAE size. I don't really care that the thread is metric,, I just don't want to have to carry oddball metric wrenches when I'm wheelin'.

I figure a few thousandths is probably all it would take to rework the bolt heads.





-G

Really? are you really going to turn all sides of a bolt head? Sounds like carrying metric tools would be easier, but maybe thats just me.

 

[dremu]

I just don't want to have to carry oddball metric wrenches when I'm wheelin'.

I'd drill & retap the box, but that's 'cuz I enjoy that stuff Then at least you can use standard fasteners.

As for carrying metric wrenches, I expect to do so, not least for rounded off inch fasteners

-- A

 

[bp71k5]

I just don't want to have to carry oddball metric wrenches when I'm wheelin'.

Unless you need a box wrench, a set of metric 11-point sockets work great for both english and metric stuff. I only have to carry one type and I can translate between both without even thinking about it anymore.

 

[dhcomp]

Unless you need a box wrench, a set of metric 11-point sockets work great for both english and metric stuff. I only have to carry one type and I can translate between both without even thinking about it anymore.

What is an 11 point socket?

 

[bp71k5]

What is an 11 point socket?

Ha, you quoted me so I can't fix it!