Topic: Rebuilding steering gear box
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Lifetime MemberPoquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.
Anyone rebuild a steering gear box (I'm sure someone did). Mine is making some bad sounds... and i pulled it tonite.. definitely bad. Is it worth rebuilding myself or just by a rebuilt... Looks like about 200 for a rebuilt one...
2 cruzn 2008-03-10 17:06:56
Lifetime Member #86
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"
(click to see a bigger image)
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"
(click to see a bigger image)
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Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
Sorry Ray, I don't have anything to offer, (haven't been there yet) but "Steeroids" rack and pinion completely eliminates the steering box. Very tempting, but pricey (apprx. $1200) I'm told it steers like a "Gocart". We saw one on a '68 vert. 427 at the last gathering. Pretty slick. I'm tempted. the only thing stopping me is the $$$ 
.
.Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again. 
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Former Member
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Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
I did mine, it was a piece of cake a little messy but not bad at all. One thing I had issue with was that before I ordered the rebuild kit from Paragon I called to make sure it had all the little worm gear bearings, they said yes it did but they weren't in the kit when it arrived. I know the kit from Bair's does so now I wish I would have bought through them. I packed with light duty grease instead of the recomended lube when I reassembled. I also got cheap and got the rag joint rebuild kit, I should have just bought the new one of those. Sprayed the box with some cast blast and good to go. I took mine down to the vette shop and they showed me how to adjust it after it was done.
Lifetime MemberKingston, PA - USA
Joined: 11/26/2003
Posts: 636
Vette(s): 1977 L-82 originally white/buckskin interior.
Currently undergoing a frame-off resto. and modifications.YEEHAW!!!
I remember when I rebuilt mine years ago, I spoke to Brian from Bair's at Corvettes at Carlisle.
I was a little leary about doing the job by myself. He convinced me I could do it no problem.
Man, was he right. I forget what I paid for the Bair's kit, but it was complete, and excellent quality. Easy job if you have a mechanical mind, and the instructions are dead on.
Good luck in your choice. For my money, go with Bair's. They've NEVER steered me wrong...get it???
That's a joke...steered.
really, folks...geesh!
try the veal.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
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
Not that hard to do...just a little tedious, perhaps. The factory service manuals do have a section on rebuilding the box that is quite good. Patience, and a good memory(or camera) will help a lot! 
Joel Adams
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Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
Lifetime MemberSummerville, SC - USA
Joined: 8/31/2005
Posts: 660
Vette(s): My 1974 Vette sold last August 2014. I am still willing to show up to events and local gatherings if anything happening No new vette yet.
The rebuild kit through mid-america is 79.99 just for a point of reference. Mine is leaking so i am having my mechanic rebuild mine. Brand new they go for $229-$399 depending on whether you give them the original core or not. Personally, any parts that i replace i am trying to keep if they are the original ones and just boxing them up in my attic.
Jeremy H.
Former Member
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Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
[QUOTE=Redwingvette]
[/QUOTE]
That's pretty cool! Yeah pay attention to the worm gear teeth. It will go back together the wrong way and still kind of work 
Anyone else use grease instead of the recommended steering box lube? You can set the center by feel if don't got the cool guy torque gauge.
Lifetime MemberPoquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.
Thank's for all the tips/advice.. looks like I will by a new/rebuilt one, but I am gonna keep the core and rebuild it first... if the rebuild doesn't work out I will put on the other... something I just gotta try... if it works OK i can always sell one... won't be the first time I spent extra $$ on "mi$$ piggy"
I'll definitely use that web-site Redwing... 
Lifetime Member #86
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"
(click to see a bigger image)
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"
(click to see a bigger image)
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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