71 Steering box, not original? - pics
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 5
From: Roseville CA
71 Steering box, not original? - pics
Take a look at these steering box pictures in my 71. This box does not the flat section on the shaft. Why? I've checked all the way around. These pictures were taken with the steering centered per Jim's centering guide.
How can I tell if it's a rebuilt one? I have the Corvette Restoration Guide so I'm guessing I can check the casting numbers. But what if it's a Jeep box or something else? Is there a way to identify those? My 71 was built in April.
Side note: Yeah, the bolt is missing on the steering column flange. It's broken and the end is still in the flange. I have a new GM coupler coming.
It should look like this:
How can I tell if it's a rebuilt one? I have the Corvette Restoration Guide so I'm guessing I can check the casting numbers. But what if it's a Jeep box or something else? Is there a way to identify those? My 71 was built in April.
Side note: Yeah, the bolt is missing on the steering column flange. It's broken and the end is still in the flange. I have a new GM coupler coming.
It should look like this:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 5
From: Roseville CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
You seem to have a Corvette steering gear that is a combination of early parts. Your 1971 Corvette should have a steering gear with an input shaft that has a flat at 12 o'clock with the gear exactly on center. It should also have an input shaft with serrations based on 30 serrations on the full diameter. I am wondering if the flat may be hidden just underneath the end of the flex coupling flange. I know that the flat is readily seen in my photo but it might be possible that manufacturing variation could cause the length of flat on the input shaft to vary
The gear with a "full round" serrated input shaft with 36 serrations would be from a gear that was produced in early 1969 (or earlier).
Also, sometime in 1969 (possibly late) the cast iron top cover was changed to aluminum. Your gear has the aluminum top cover which would be correct for a 1971 vehicle.
Your flex coupling would appear that it came from a 1971 vehicle or newer. It appears to be in good shape for a car that is 40 years old.
You will need a 7807271 pinch bolt for the steering column flange bolt that is broken. GM no longer services the bolt. But there are millions of them in salvage yards.
jim
The gear with a "full round" serrated input shaft with 36 serrations would be from a gear that was produced in early 1969 (or earlier).
Also, sometime in 1969 (possibly late) the cast iron top cover was changed to aluminum. Your gear has the aluminum top cover which would be correct for a 1971 vehicle.
Your flex coupling would appear that it came from a 1971 vehicle or newer. It appears to be in good shape for a car that is 40 years old.
You will need a 7807271 pinch bolt for the steering column flange bolt that is broken. GM no longer services the bolt. But there are millions of them in salvage yards.
jim
