Happy Monday!
I know this probably has been asked a bajillion times so I apologize in advance , but I have a lot of slop in my steering, and it's originating from the gearbox. I know you can adjust the screw on top, but I'd like to rebuild it myself (I bookmarked one of the past threads that's encouraging me to do it myself) and do it right, and risk learning something in the process LOL...
So where do you order parts from, is there a complete kit available, or some sort of 'performance' or heavy-duty kit maybe? Also, I see there is talk of a Jeep box as well - what are the benefits of the conversion, how much does it cost, what's involved, and what's the wallet damage? And why would you do it in the first place, is it lighter, or a faster response? I guess I wanna know which route is better, rebuilding the factory GM box, or replacing it with a....a.....I'm holding back a hurl here...a CHRYSLER part? ?
(look at me, bashing Chrysler when I dirve a Jeep and the old lady drives an LHS.... hypocrit....
There's a lot of down time in Upstate NY while the wind's a-howlin' and the the snow's a-blowin. It's one of the projects I can take my time with on my bench, in the heated workroom, while drinking coffee and watching the Simpsons....
Cheerio,
I'm off for more French roast...

 

I rebuilt mine and it is not very hard. I bought a rebuild kit from Corvette Central I think.

My gearbox has a lot of play in it too. Could be my settings....The torque settings are very low and I did not have a torque wrench that read that low. One day I'll pull it and try to set it again.

My main problem was it was leaking grease out the bottom and looked like crap. I was cleaning up the engine compartment and replacing steering components so figured it was a good time to clean it up as well.

You have to be carfull adjusting the top screw or you can damage something.

 

I rebuilt mine. Bought a rebuild kit from Corvette America (69 bucks). It's not that hard to do, and you will learn how it actually works. They were the cheapest I found.

This will help you.

http://69.253.166.197/corvettes/vett...%20Rebuild.pdf

 

The screw on top of the box is for gear LASH... NOT taking up play. Do NOT attempt to tighten the steering play by adjusting this screw. The lash adjustment controls the tightness of the bearings against each other.
rg

 

LOUD APPLAUSE
youse right on girl

 

That's what I thought - when would you have to even use it? If your bearings are shot they should be replaced anyway, right?

 

Sorry,this is not true. The preload on the bearings is adjusted first by tightening the end nut after the lock ring is loosened. It must be set to 3-5 inch pounds max. Then the LASH is adjusted and this has to be set under 14 inch pound on center, 11-12 is about right. Trying to do this on the car is not the way to do either. The stock boxes have way too much play in them and you will not get them as good as they can be without rebuilding them and custom fitting them. Using the rebuild kits alone is not going to do it. The stock boxes have play in the bushing, lash bolt, and bearing from day one.
The gears on these boxes have been wrecked over the years primarily from incorrect adjustment rather then wear.

This should help you.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1345411

 

Hey thanks gtr, that's the thread I was looking at
Is there a more substantial kit I should be using?

 

Mine was shot, so I put in a Flaming river box, bolts right up and works sssmmmooootthhh....459.00

 

Not really, we all use the same kits. I add the pitman washer and nut to mine that I sell. I've used those kit bushings and they're not bad but the boxes I fit bushings too are better. I can't premachine bushing as each set is made to fit the pitman shafts used. I first polish the pitman in a lathe to get a smooth finish then fit the bushings.

 

Well, my goodness, of course now you've tempted me to ask "How much if I send you my box, kind sir?"
Because, of course, my personal, at-home lathe and bushing-machines are broken....

 

I notice that I have been having problems with my at-home lathe and bushing-machines. I can't seem to make them work as well as I would like...