Bill (wmf62) gave me his old steering box, so I took it apart and checked it out.

According to everything I have read (including the ST-12), the sector shaft should be supported on each end by needle bearings (with the 2 being different lengths - pitman arm side being the longer of the 2, but they appear from pictures to be the same diameter). On this box, the outer (lash adjustment/cover) end has a sleeve bushing (see below picture #1).

Both ends of the sector shaft are the same diameter (so a needle bearing would fit the cover end of the shaft), but the cover's bore is too small for a needle bearing assembly to fit - approx. 1.237", whereas the pitman arm side's bore is 1.375".

Where did this cover come from? I guess I should start searching for a cover with a needle bearing "bore". Anyone have a box in really bad shape that can part with the cover?

As can be seen, the sector gear is in decent shape. The worm and 2 support bearings are excellant as well, but the upper column bearing is "toast". Needle bearings and pitman arm shaft seal also need replacing. So it appears to be a decent box that can be reassembled, except for that cover.

Bill thought that maybe this was a late 62 change (cost cutting?).





Thanks,
Plasticman

 

That cover is from a 49-52 pass car, OR, someone in the past has installed a bushing for a 49-52 pass car side cover.
The 49-54 pass car and 53-62 Vette steering boxes/columns were virtually the same, EXCEPT for steering column length.
The 53-54 pass car steering boxes got the caged roller bearings that are the same as the 53-62 Vette boxes.
The 49-52 pass cars had bushings on each end of the sector shaft. I have never measered the bores of the box/side cover of a 49-52 pass car WITHOUT the bushings installed to see if the caged bearings would fit (but I believe the ID of the 49-52 boxes are smaller than the ID of the 53-54 pass cars and 53-62 Vette boxes).

The reason for the change from bushings to caged roller bearings in the 53 pass cars (and carried over to the Vette) was because the bushings wore down excessively and oil leaked from the seal, plus this caused lots of slop between the sector shaft and the bushing. When the change to roller bearing occured in 53, the problem was virtually cured (major improvement).

Additionally, I believe the pass cars and the Vettes had different steering ratios. To accomplish this, the Pass car and Vette worm gear would have to be different, AND, the angle of the holes for the roller bolt would have to be different. Thus, to install a pass car worm/roller in a Vette box would also require changing the sector shaft. It APPEARS to me that the worm is simply pressed onto the end of the splined steering shaft, but I have never tried to remove a worm from a shaft to confirm this.

The UPPER end of 53-54 pass car and 53-62 Vette steering columns is the same. They share the same upper bearing/horn contact, turn signal bowl, turn signal switch and wiring. Sooooooooooooooooooo, whenever you need upper column parts, DO NOT shop for Corvette parts, buy them for a 53-54 pass car (parts for a Vette that are shared by a pass car are ALWAYS 10times more expensive!!!!!!!!!)

Tom Parsons

 

Tom
the car the column is out of was built the last day of production of the 62 model run. i have had the car since 1976 and so don't know of it's history before that time, but i do know it is the original column for that car as the vin tag was properly spot welded to the column.

how or why it has a different side cover is unknown.

Bill

 

I can't respond to that, but I am NOT aware of ANY 53-62 Vettes getting a bushing instead of the caged roller bearing in the side cover. Also, none of the parts books address availability of a bushed side cover instead of a bearing cover for these cars.
So that's all I can tell you.

Tom Parsons

 

Tom,

Both ends of the sector shaft are the same diameter (so a needle bearing would fit the cover end of the shaft), but the cover's bore is too small for a needle bearing assembly to fit - approx. 1.237", whereas the pitman arm side's bore is 1.375".

Think someone just changed the side cover, since the box has the caged needle bearings on the pitman arm side.
Also, the box was filled wth a soupy mix of very old grease and some very dark lube oil. A lot of the oil had carbonized (due to heat). And the lash adjuster screw sector shaft engagement could stand a shim job (not bad, but can be "better").
Now to find a new needle bearing cover........

Thanks for the info! Your sure are a wealth of (Corvette) knowledge!

John (Plasticman)

 

Interesting.....I never realized the covers were different. Great info Tom.

If the bushing was removed, what is the diameter? I'm wondering if when the bushing is out, and if the ID is still too small for the bearing.......

Could you get the cover line bored/machined so that it would accept the OD of needle bearing? Maybe get the dimension from a cover that's setup for the bearing from someone that has one apart.

Just a thought.
Rich

 

Rich,

The sleeve bushing cover's bore is approx. 1.237". The bore for the other end of the sector shaft (with the needle bearing) in the main housing is 1.375". I am assuming both bearings are the same OD, since they are both the same ID (sector shaft is same OD on both ends).

I can certainly bore out the existing cover (I have a mill), although I would compare the outer configuration of the cover, to make sure there is enough "meat" left for the increase in bore (approx. .069" material removal). I have "my" cover that I can compare with Bill's cover for that purpose.

However, I am also concerned with the surface finish (of the bore) required. I do not know if the needle bearings ride directly on the bore, or if they have an outer sleeve that they roll on. Cast iron is not the greatest bearing material, so I would think the needle bearings ride on an outer sleeve.

Thanks,
Plasticman

 

John, the needle bearings for the sector shaft both ride on an outer race. Unfortunately, I didn't take a pic of the whole steering box rebuild kit but do have a shot of the cover with the old bearing in place.

Mike T.

 

Mike,

Thanks! I will check the outer cover profile to see if there is enough meat for a rebore.

John

 

Good info. Here's Zip's picture of the needle bearings.



Maybe the castings of both types of covers are from the same mold and were machined differently. As long as you spec the material thickness to be safe for the bearing it might work.

 

Rich,

Thanks for the info / picture.

I think I am better off looking for a new cover.

Bill's sleeve bushing cover measures 1.779" at the middle of the outside boss.

My cover (I assume it has the needle bearings) measures 2.108" at the same location.

GM evidently felt they needed to beef up that area when changing to the needle bearings.

Also, from looking at Mike's picture, it looks like the needle bearing boss outer dia. protrudes further into the housing (from the cover gasket surface) than the sleeve bushing version. I can see where that boss would need to be moved further in (to properly support the sector shaft), since the needle bearings are recessed slightly inward (due to the cage), compared to the sleeve bushing which is installed right at the edge of the chamfer.

John

 

Yes it sounds like a replacement cover is the best choice. Don't want any chances with a steering system for sure.

 

EVERYONE KEEP THIS IN MIND AND REMEMBER-----------------CHEVY PASS CAR PARTS THAT IINTERCHANGE WITH THE SAME PART ON A CORVETTE ARE MUCH, MUCH, MUCH CHEAPER (how many times do I have to tell you guys this???)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sooooooooooooooooo, again, what you need to search for is a 53-54 Chevy pass car side cover-----------------------NOT A CORVETTE SIDE COVER!!!! The side cover for a 53-54 pass car box will be the same as the side cover for a 53-62 Vette box.

Oh, I'm sorry, I just lost my mind for a minute, Corvette guys like to brag and play oneupsmanship about how much money they have spent on their Corvette (which is a rational among Corvette owners that I have NEVER understood!).

Here are the caged roller bearings for 53-54 pass car and 53-62 Vette sector shafts.
The one on the left (Fed-Mog B-1816) is for the steering box side and the one on the right (Timken B-1812) is for the side cover. As can be seen, they are different lengths (NO, I'm not taking them out of the pkgs for a photo).


Tom Parsons

 

I need to rebuild the steering box in my '61. Tried adjusting but it's a goner.

I have read through many old threads, but just to be sure I understand correctly:

- I need to remove the column/box as a unit
- It comes out the engine bay (either remove hood or out the bottom)
- Have to pull the steering wheel and signal hub, but not the instrument cluster

Are these assumptions correct?

I found many dead-end links to re-builders of C1 steering boxes.. Who is still doing this work these days (West coast preferred)?

{EDIT: I meant to create a new thread rather than kick this old one --- Opps}

 

The column will NOT come out the bottom, (at least with the motor and radiator installed) has to come out over the top.

Taking the drivers seat out makes it easier.

Also, put plastic over your carpet in case a bunch of lube wants to run out the steering wheel end when you have the column upside down.

Doug

 

I just did this on my 60. Wheel and hub have to be removed, cluster can stay, remove column as a unit. The ST-12 says to "rotate the steering box and remove". There is no way it would come out without removing the exhaust manifold but they didn't mention that. No need to remove the hood. Buy the complete rebuild kit. It contains everything you need. Tom Parsons wrote a good article about rebuilding them. You can also go to You-Tube and there is a 3 part series that walks you through every part of it. They're really quite easy to rebuild yourself.

Jim

 

Good tips Doug - thanks.

Thanks Jim.. Yes, I was just reading the Tom P article: http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/225413/

Looks like fun

Sad thing is I just put the wheel, hub, cluster, etc. in last weekend.. Oh well.

Fred

 

John;
I think I have a side cover off of a junk box. I'll verify when I get home tonight. If I can find it it's yours. The box came out of a wrecked 62 I purchased many moons ago.
Klaus

 

Klaus,

That would be terrific!
And yes, I am still looking for one since starting this thread last year.

Thanks,
John

 

Holy cow! I didn't even look at the date. Anyway, I'll paw through my junk tonight and try to find it.