Steering box rebuild questions

[79bonanza]

Hey fellers, my 85 c30 needs a new steering box put on it. Mine has a lot of leaks and makes some weird grindingish sounds when the wheels are up on jacks.

The parts store list the new box for 150ish, but they offer a complete rebuild for 25.00

Well I'd rather go with the 25.00 and rebuild it myself instead of just buying a reman box.

Does anyone have a write up or any advice about rebuilding a steering box. I'm confident in my skills with auto trans rebuilds, so I think I can handle a steering box lol just seeing if there is anything I need to watch out for.

 

[dyeager535]

This work? http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/129-0801-saginaw-steering-box-rebuild/

Service manuals may cover it, here is a selection of those: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=545416 I'd make sure that if I used any instructions, they at least followed the torque measurements etc that GM established. There are plenty out there who think you tighten up the steering box by tightening the set screw on top, and that's not right.

 

[79bonanza]

Hey thanks, that four wheeler link was just what I was looking for.

 

[79bonanza]

If anyone else is looking for a rebuild kit for your steering box, here is the acdelco part number and link. 36-350440

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000S2PA8C/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=T1

 

[4X4HIGH]

If anyone else is looking for a rebuild kit for your steering box, here is the acdelco part number and link. 36-350440

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000S2PA8C/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=T1

I've been rebuilding them for a bunch of years now and just a FYI there are 3 different rebuild kits based on the year of the box.

Also without the tool for reinstalling the recirculating balls it wont be anywhere as easy as you might think. I used to use an old worm gear from an old box as a tool but finally bought the proper Miller tool.

 

[79bonanza]

Okay thanks for the heads up, door you happen to know the part number for the miller specialty tool

 

[4X4HIGH]

Okay thanks for the heads up, door you happen to know the part number for the miller specialty tool

Not off hand, I tried doing a search for it and couldn't find any. AFAIK the tool isn't available new any longer and I picked mine up on e-bay a few years ago.

 

[79bonanza]

Ahh okay thanks for checking. I've watched a couple videos and think I know a couple tricks to get them in.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Ahh okay thanks for checking. I've watched a couple videos and think I know a couple tricks to get them in.

The tool makes it stupid simple. The next fighting issue is to install the rack nut into the casting, you'll fight the o-ring. I've discovered that using a .010" feeler gauge and working it around the seal as I slightly tap the rack nut down works but there is a specific tool for that as well which I haven't purchased yet.

 

[79bonanza]

Okay I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully all goes smooth seal wise lol