Steering Box Rebuild

[steve1973]

Hello all,
Need some advice. My steering box has been leaking since I got my track. I thing it is about dry now as it is getting harder to turn the wheel. I'm going to attempt an on frame rebuild if that is possible. I plane to remove the frender and lower armor panel to get access to the steering box. I will then clean and remove side cover and place a new gasket. My question is there any other seal or gasket I should replace? I don't want to pull the column if necessary. How about the sector shaft? Is there a seal for that? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve A.

[Outsider]

If you can get the steering wheel off take the column out. Will save all the work of taking off the fender and working around everything else in rebuild.

Steve

[steve1973]

Thanks Outsider for the advice. That is exactly what I did. With the help of Don we got the steering wheel off with my puller form Saturn Surplus, disconnected the drag link, clutch/ brake return springs, removed two bottom nuts, removed U-bolt and dash support and the hidden bolt just above the pitman arm and she came on out. What a greasy mess. I got the column disassembled and soaking in wash tank. I do have some questions.

1)  Does any one know of a source for Ross steering box parts?

2)  I need the shim kit as I think mine is to tight

3)  I need the upper mast bushing/bearing. Someone said an M35 one would work but haven't found a source yet.

Here are some photos so far.















lower bearing cup, some minor pitting and wear


upper bearing cup, same as above, pitting and wear


More to come.....]

[steve1973]

I have one other question, When I go to assemble the box again and lub it what gear oil should I use? I looked in the manual and couldn't find it. Also, I hear of just packing it with grease. What do you think, oil or grease?

Steve A.

[Outsider]

Oil only. Grease will work its way away from the bearings and such over the coming years. I don't remember what the ht calls for, but normally 85w/120 will work good. If you are going to drive it in the winter you may want to use 85w/90 to make steering a little easier in the cold.

What are you referring to as "to tight"? Does the steering wheel have any slop or play in it? Is the steering column just to hard to turn without a load on it?

The bolt with the jam nut in your picture is for adjusting lash in the gears. If it is too tight it will be hard to turn, if it is too loose you will have slop or play in the steering.

Steve

[steve1973]

I think the end play with the bearings is to much. Their is no slack or play at all. That is why I think the cups are warn with a slight travel groove. But again I'm no expert. I had no play in the column when in use. its getting harder and harder to turn the wheel when driving. I know about the bolt to adjust the lash and will have to figure that out to.

Thanks,
Steve A.

[steve1973]

I got out to the shop today and picked up a new bag of blast media for my blast cabinet. What a difference it made. I had everything cleaned up in an hour or so. I found a place in California for steering box parts. I will let you know if it pans out. The key is a stamped number on top of the box. Not the casting number on the cover. Also, What color is the steering wheel? I'm going to repaint mine and it looks like it was originally black. I see no OD green on it other than some over spray from some touch up painting. Here are some photos of my progress.















Here is the stamped number on top of the housing.


Steve A.

[steve1973]

I'm making little progress in finding parts. I have all the housings cleaned and sent over for paint. I hope to get parts next week or I will have to see about making my own. Here are some photos of my cleaned steering wheel.







Steve A.

[andy]

Steve since you just took your steering wheel off can you tell me how and where that lil seat installs under the steering wheel but above the upper shaft bearing?. I took my wheel off years ago and forgot.
In the pic its between the steering shaft spring and wheel nut

[steve1973]

That is the seat that goes on the upper column bearing for the spring, then spring and wheel.

[andy]

does the tapered end sit into the bearing or snap onto the spring?
Thanks

[steve1973]

It faces up into the spring.

[andy]

like this?

[steve1973]

Yes!

[andy]

Once again thanks steve!!

Yes!