Too Stiff Steering Box...

[uglytruk]

I bought a reman steering box from FLAP, and it's too stiff to turn. So I called them, and they said they put in a Trans Am "torsion" something. I said if I wanted stiff steering, I'd buy a T/A. It's a real nuisance when backing with a trailer. Anyhow, I sold the Sub, and want to buy another. I have several Subs, and they're all one finger, but worn...

Interestingly, the Advance steer box is $30 cheaper, and the core is 1/3rd the price. and the Auto Zone says, "part checked, replaced as neccesary", so they put back used but good parts, and still $30 more... Hmmm...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ng-Gear-Box_255_R|GRPSTERAMS__steering box___

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...re=&searchText=steeringbox&_requestid=1316998

 

[George_Pimpdaddy]

sounds like you got someones core

 

[YZEATER]

ya, they are usually clean too.

 

[uglytruk]

No! This is my core...

 

[Mudstud]

Holy Crap they have a lot of different boxes listed there. I wouldn't know which one to pick.

 

[jonathon]

I've got a box I'm going to learn to rebuild.. it's definitely got something out of wack in it, way to much slack in the wheel and it wanders. Replaced it with another used box and it worked like a charm.

 

[BGKYK5]

Rebuild instructions here. My rebuild kit was $35 at Advanced Auto..

 

[cdoggwsu]

Rebuild instructions here. My rebuild kit was $35 at Advanced Auto..

I used that writeup myself, the rebuild is pretty straight forward. The two things I learned are:

1)They aren't kidding about those worm shaft bearings being a pain in the ass. Make sure the input shaft and the pitman shaft stay centered while you're putting those in or it will be off when you reassemble. They packed the bearings in with grease and then threaded the worm shaft in. I couldn't ever get them to stay put so I followed the helm's manual which said to slide the power piston over the worm shaft and then drop the balls in the top hole one at a time while turning the input shaft counterclockwise.

2)Don't take the pitman shaft out of the top housing or loosen the adjuster nut if you don't have to. That will save you the need to adjust the input shaft preload after reassembly.

I never could find the "spanner wrench" they mention in the article, everyone kept trying to sell me a real spanner wrench.

 

[uglytruk]

The company I bought my reman box from said they make a special lower pitman bearing to compensate for worn shaft.

 

[jonathon]

Rebuild instructions here. My rebuild kit was $35 at Advanced Auto..

Where'd you get that wrench?

 

[uglytruk]

Spanner wrench is an adjustable wrench...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrench

I was wrong, oh well

 

[Mudstud]

This is a good thread.

 

[jonathon]

Found the wrench..

Here but I think they are out there cheaper..

I wonder what size is needed?

 

[BGKYK5]

My spanner wrench consisted of two screwdrivers.

 

[cdoggwsu]

My spanner wrench consisted of two screwdrivers.

Yup, I ended up using two allen wrenches and a pair of long jaw vice grips.