Any advice on either rebuilding my old unit or for around $250.00 buy a rebuilt unit? Sometimes it's easier to just "Plug-N-Play" than do it your self. Also where is a good place to buy a decent rebuilt one? All other steering componets are new!

 

99% of the time your box can be rebuilt. I would say in the past year maybe, and i stress maybe, 10 customers of mine had to replace parts in the box. Unless the shafts are pitted they do not need to be replace. They go bad because they sit so close so the headers that it liquifies the grease inside. $250 for a rebuild sounds steep. I rebuild them for $189.99 and for forum members it an additional 5% off. Doesn't sound like much but it will cut the cost of shipping for you. we are a very repitable company and you can ask others on the forum about us. Give it some thought and if you want to do it i'll take 10% off instead of 5%. Give me a call or e-mail me and we can talk. Also check out the web site :thumbs:

 

Well I just rebuilt the original sloppy steering gear out of my 69. It wasn't hard to do but you'll need a dial torque wrench to properly set it up. I did machine new bushings for it, but the replacement bushings in the kit bring it in pretty close. I think it cost me about $60 to do. If you end up not using your old box and want to get rid of it let me know,my son's auto class looks for little projects and these are perfect.
Gary

 

Hey Gary, maybe I should rip my steering box out and let your son's class rebuild it! :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :flag

 

What can be done to protect the steering box from the headers? I just installed them on my C3 and they do sit pretty close to it. Are there any heat shields (like those for the starter that would provide some measure of protection without risk?

 

Unfortunatly there are no sheilds. We've developed a high-temp grease that is much hard for heat to break down and still gives the box the right lubrication.

 

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that unless you replace the bushings you are NOT going to get a decent rebuild. After dismantaling the steering box you need to polish the pitman shaft , mike it and make custom bushing to reduce the clearances to a tight .001. Mine was .006 and that is too slopy. You can easily buy factory bushings and they will help but unless you have all 3 replaced with custom fit bushigs you are cutting corners. It is easy to replace the bearings and seals and set the proper torque settings but even the washer on the adjustment secrew on top of he box is important and I needed to make a custom one to remove all clearance there.
While the box is off the hole in the frame should also be plated ove to strengthen the frame. While I was at it I plated the entire area with a nice 1/8th plate fully welded into place, smoothed with a grinder and painted so it doesn't show. You need to drill the 3 mounting holes as well. This is recommended in a GM corvette preporation manual.
To sum it up just adding new bearings and seals does not a new box make.
gtr 1999 sounds like he did it right.
I am not trying to put anyone down but I have been down the road of rebuilds a few times and learned the hard way that the bushings are everything.

 

I agree. My question is: Can we do any better the orignal? There has to be something better than the orignal C3 design. If not I would still get a properly rebuilt by a professional box. Steering and brakes are no place to cut corners! JMHO.

 

With 4 stainless steal calipers and hydraboost I will put my brakes up agianst any new car brakes. My wife has a new Bonneville SSEI supercharged and it has very strong brakes and my vette make them seem weak. My hydraboost came off a 94 one ton truck so it sure is strong.
As for the steering box my rebuilt is as good as the bonneville, or my dodge truck or my mustang with rack and pinion. Done to new specs makes it just as good as new.
I do not have problems with my 265 front tires following groves in the road.

 

Norval - Your right. The bushings are also important on the rebuild. :iagree:

 

Hey Steve that would be cool but you'd have to wait for it! :D
Seriously if you're going to rebuild it let me know if you have any questions.

Also I should point out the fact that it cost me $60 to rebuild my box but that was strickly part cost. I put more time into rebuilding this box then most shops would/could afford to. The labor would easily be over $100-$200 maybe more adding the machine cost,to do this outside. Here's what I did:

1-strip and clean
2-"Mike" all parts to be reused
3- check the new parts in the rebuild kit
4-wire brush the housing
5-polish the aluminum cover
6 test fit the shims for the lash screw- 4 shims in the kit but none tightened the lash screw gap to less then .002"
7- machine new steel washer to correct the lash gap to .001"
8- check side play in the pitman shaft to housing: .008" originally.
9- install new bushings from kit into housing check side play=down to .002-.003"
10- remove new bushings and make bushings out of "oilite Bronze" install into housing.
12- polish pitman shaft in a lathe with 240 then 500 emery cloth,this removed less then .001"
13- Hone the new bushing in the housing using a small brake cylinder hone
14 check side play= .001"
15-install new ball bearing in worm nut
16 install new races,bearings,end plug.
17- used Mobil 1 red grease for lubrication, fill to about 80%
18- using a Snap-On Dial torque wrench set bearing preload 4-5 in/lbs
19 Using the same wrench set lash to 13-14 in/lb in center of worm
20 Housing was treated with POR15 metal ready,POR15 gloss Black,Seymour Cast Blast top coat, and Eastwood's Clear coat before assembly began.


[Modified by gtr1999, 8:31 AM 2/28/2003]

 

Gary, impressive stuff! :cheers: But I know longer work in a machine shop, (not working at all) and don't have "privy" to those machines & materials anymore. By the time I got all that done, I'd end up with a C5, and we all don't want that! :crazy:

 

Steve, I hear you. The machinery and tools make the difference. Do you need a sterringbox rebuild?

I've had some request to rebuild some things like the rear bearings,steering
boxes,etc. I may take on some work if time allows.

Gary

 

gtr1999. Very impressive list but done right. If I needed a steering box rebuilt you would be the man.
Nice work

 

Steering, feel etc. is excellent on mine. Have driven some w/ too light PS, which can be corrected. No need for another st. system.

:cool:

 

Gary,

I'm in the same situation as Steve, sounds like your box will out last the best of them. Let me know if you decide to take on some rebuild projects. I have so much play in my steering I'm afraid to get on the road. Considered attempting the rebuild myself but don't have the tools or knowledge that you apparently have. Just hoping to get back on the road soon.




[Modified by 7Roadster5, 12:48 PM 2/28/2003]

 

A BIG thanks to all... Van Steel, I will e-mail you about a rebuild kit....gtr1999, I will follow your procedure, I happen to be a machinist and with all the exellent advice/knowledge here on the forum my gear box will be better than new!!! :D

 

Gary, I really should get it done, but being out of work, I cannot justify it right now, I appreciate the offer though! :cheers:

 

I've seen numerous professionally rebuilt C-3 steering boxes on ebay for $150.00 or so. Rebuilt for and sold by Chicago Corvette. Never dealt with them even though they are local to me, and I don't know the quality of product they sell. Might be worth a LOOK!
Eddie

 

You *could* drop more $$ and get the steeroids right :smash: