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Topic: steering box rebuild problems

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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steering box rebuild problems (1/7)
 12/17/14 4:17pm
Ronnie71
Former Member

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Smethport, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1971 T Top <1year


Joined: 5/27/2014
Posts: 13

I'm rebuilding the original steering box from my 71.  I had a machine shop install the Pitman Shaft bushings, races and seals from the rebuild kit.  I can't get the Pitman Shaft in (too tight).  I took some measurements:  Pitman Shaft OD is 1.122 in. and ID of the new bushings is 1.10 in.!  The supplier insists this is the correct bushing and they have not had anyone else reporting problems.  What The Heck!  Anyone else had problems like this?

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Re: steering box rebuild problems (2/7)
 12/17/14 5:12pm
Joanne
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Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 441

sounds like machine shop has squashed them while putting them in.

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1979 Corvette
Re: steering box rebuild problems (3/7)
 12/17/14 8:52pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

Got this off a search on CF.  Contact this guy and he can probably help you, he is the best steering box re-builder in the country.   gary.ramadei@radiall.com

I saw your post over there as well.  I think he may be in your part of the country (NE).

edit:  I found his phone number on a Yahoo search, it's 202-776-2813.  He is in Hartford, CT.
203-776-2813
203-776-2813


|UPDATED|12/17/2014 5:52:11 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: steering box rebuild problems (4/7)
 12/17/14 10:38pm
Joanne
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Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 441

Wilcox has a tech video on how to rebuild steering box on their site.

I used this,pretty easy job.even putting in the bearings was ok to do.

if you need new bearings.Zip corvette do them for $28.50

I put them in with socket that was just ait smaller and gentle hammer taps.worked for me.



|UPDATED|12/17/2014 7:38:10 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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1979 Corvette
Re: steering box rebuild problems (5/7)
 12/17/14 11:32pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Most likely mashed the end of the bushings, as Jack says. easy to do if you don't know what your doing, or have the proper equipment.Try sanding the ID of the bushings with some 80grit emory cloth, and then clean that up with a wheel cylinder hone....might take a few minutes, but unless they just totally destroyed the bushings, it should work.

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Re: steering box rebuild problems (6/7)
 12/18/14 10:21am
Ronnie71
Former Member

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Smethport, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1971 T Top <1year


Joined: 5/27/2014
Posts: 13

Thanks for the input guys & gals.  It looks like the machine shop probably mashed the bushings.  Another guy reported similar problems with his.  His bushing OD was too big for the box bore.  I'm having the bushings re-cut or honed, by a different machinist to the proper tolerances.  Hope this works!

|UPDATED|12/18/2014 7:21:55 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: steering box rebuild problems (7/7)
 12/18/14 11:36am
Joanne
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Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 441

that will do the job

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1979 Corvette
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