Topic: Steering box blues
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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Discovered a leak in my steering box (see white arrow in pic)
Dont mind the missing paint on the cap, I'll be repainting :)
Is this salvageable?
|UPDATED|6/10/2015 2:54:06 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Dont mind the missing paint on the cap, I'll be repainting :)
Is this salvageable?
|UPDATED|6/10/2015 2:54:06 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
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
Certainly re-sealable. Best to remove gearbox to do the job, but not really a hard repair to do.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
With the box out it's fairly easy to do. Kits are available.
|UPDATED|6/11/2015 7:28:18 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Just be sure to adjust it properly. All of the nuts by shafts are a bearing preload adjustment. If you want to do it the easy way, mark the position of everything and be sure to put it back in the same place. If you go ahead and do the preload adjustment you may find the steering is a bit tighter and smoother. Then again, if there is little wear you might not be able to tell a difference.
The hardest part is just a matter of grunt. When you take the pinion arm off of the pinion (output) shaft the nut is VERY tight and the arm wont want to come off. You will need a pitman arm puller. Again, not difficult, but necessary to get it apart. The seals at the input you indicated can be done in the car if you don't want to take the box out, but it will make you hold your tounge funny and say bad words.
|UPDATED|6/11/2015 7:28:18 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
thanks guys.
I think i'm going to fore go rebuilding and get a reman box. I see zip has them for $200 and mid america has them for $170. I think i'll go ahead and get a new coupler/rag joint while im at it.
Other than the pittman arm puller, any other pita's to consider replacing one?
|UPDATED|6/11/2015 7:58:48 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
I think i'm going to fore go rebuilding and get a reman box. I see zip has them for $200 and mid america has them for $170. I think i'll go ahead and get a new coupler/rag joint while im at it.
Other than the pittman arm puller, any other pita's to consider replacing one?
|UPDATED|6/11/2015 7:58:48 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Not really. Pretty straight forward. Just pay attention to lining up the splines on the input and output shafts. It's more involved with air bags, but does not apply to a C3.
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2470
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
GOOD IDEA, on the reman from a supplier. I took both of mine apart, and the grease was akin to cozmoline. Gears were dry and worn. New box did the trick, and the degree of handling was WAY above expected. You won't be sorry.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
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
Just for future reference, the proper lubricant for the Corvette steering gearbox is a grease, not any kind of an oil, or gear lube. Other GM steering boxes from the era did use different types of gear oil/fluids, but Corvette ONLY used a grease. Some folks use a chassis grease, but you can still get the correct stuff from GM. Comes in a tube just like regular grease for a grease gun, GM part #12377985.
You will not normally find grease leaking, but...grease = an oil & a soap. The soap won't break down and leak, but the oil will, and that's what you'll see seeping out of a gearbox.
Steering Gearbox 101 is concluded for today. There will be a test later....
You will not normally find grease leaking, but...grease = an oil & a soap. The soap won't break down and leak, but the oil will, and that's what you'll see seeping out of a gearbox.
Steering Gearbox 101 is concluded for today. There will be a test later....
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I plan to pull my steering box and send it in to be rebuilt.
There are few shops here locally that can do this.
My question is what is the best way to pull the box from the car.
Is it best to remove the pittman arm from the box o/p shaft or is it better to remove the tapered joint at the power steering control valve end of the arm?
I've never done this before and it scares me to use any force near the control valve to break the tapered joint loose.
thanx
graham (1975 coupe).
1975 Corvette 4 speed coupe...ZZ4 crate, lowered, 17" wheels BFG G-Force KDW tires.
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2003 Corvette roadster, Z06 wheels/susp., Corsa, Dynatech, Halltech, Baer,
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in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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