Steering Box Rebuild

[Outsider]

You can buy very thin shim stock from Mcmaster Carr. http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-shims/=s0roe3 . It comes in different metals and thicknesses, and the thin stuff can be cut with a scissor or sheet metal shears.

Steve

[andy]

one more question steve, what keyway is used? 12 oclock or 1 oclock position?
Andy

[steve1973]

Andy,
Honestly, I don't remember. I didn't even realize there were two key ways.

Steve A.

[steve1973]

Well it's slow getting parts for the steering column but I got a part in today. It is the upper bearing assembly from a M35 duce. It is identical in every way. I got it from Memphis Equipment, https://memphisequipment.com. It was $27 and change for the bearing. I also got some paper gasket material to make my own cover gasket. The only other item I'm looking for is the shim pack. I might just go back with what I had and try that. The column is being painted this Thursday-Friday so I will start reassembly next Monday.





Steve A.

[bright87]

one more question steve, what keyway is used? 12 oclock or 1 oclock position?
Andy

Andy- I took mine apart today- and the key was in the 1 o'clock slot on the steering wheel. This slot also lined up with the spoke.
If in doubt-after you install your box, line up your wheels then install the steering wheel so it is timed right.
Michael

[steve-0]

i dont know if the shims are the same as the m35 truck but they kind of look the same in this link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-M35-STEERING-GEAR-UPPER-HOUSING-SHIM-SET-7696384-NOS-/250678691216?pt=Other_Vehicle_Parts&hash=item3a5d9d4590&vxp=mtr

steve
could you post the part numbers for that upper column bearing.
i cant read them from the pic.

[steve1973]

Steve-0, That's what I've been looking for. Just bought a set and will let you know if they are the same.

Steve A.

[andy]

Thanks Michael,
yesterday i tried for awhile to install the pitman arm on the box with the keyway at the 12 and no way could i get it on, but when I tried the 1 it went on easy.

Andy

one more question steve, what keyway is used? 12 oclock or 1 oclock position?
Andy

Andy- I took mine apart today- and the key was in the 1 o'clock slot on the steering wheel. This slot also lined up with the spoke.
If in doubt-after you install your box, line up your wheels then install the steering wheel so it is timed right.
Michael

[steve1973]

Thanks Michael,
yesterday i tried for awhile to install the pitman arm on the box with the keyway at the 12 and no way could i get it on, but when I tried the 1 it went on easy.

Andy

Good to know, They must have shared this wheel with another vehicle. I wonder what?
Thanks,
Steve A.

[steve1973]

I managed to get my steering box and column back together last Friday in time for a car show Saturday morning. My Dad was a big help with installing the assembly back into my track. I think it took me at most four hours to get everything back on and went very smoothly. I neded up making my own gasket and re using the bearings and cups along with most of the shims. I did get a new seal and shim kit thanks to Steve0. The steering is still hard so I think it needs anothe shim to loosen it up just a bit. Other than that I'm very pleased with the results. Here are some photos.













Steve A.

[dwhite]

Just finished up rebuilding my steering box and thought I'd pass along a little more information.  Quite a few M35 parts will work with the half-track.  The column bearing assembly part number is B170241, which includes the bearing, retainer and spring.  If you need a nut for your steering column it is a 7/8-20 thread, which is also the same as an M35, part number 5167785.  The bearing races and bearing balls, as well as the shims for the worm gear are also interchangeable with the M35.

Respectfully, I disagree with one of the earlier post regarding the placement of the retainer.  As shown in TM 9-2320-209-34-2, the purpose of the retainer is to create an interference fit between the column bearing and the steering shaft.  Consequently, the retainer should be placed into the bearing with the spring pushing down on it.

[steve1973]

Thanks for the update and clarification. I'm in the process of compiling a list of parts and numbers that are interchangeable with halftracks. This info will be added. I didn't know that the bearing races are the same. Which column are you restoring? There are two types for the halftrack. One that fits M3A1 scoutcars and M2 series halftrack (smaller box) and one that fits the M3 series halftracks (larger box). The components are different in this area. The shims, column bearing are the same though.

Steve A.

[dwhite]

I'm restoring the larger gear box for a M3A1 half-track.  DW