Another Steering Box Question

[burly]

Guys the 39 steers pretty good but it leaks like a crazy. It won't even retain STP. Was getting ready to order new gaskets but before placing a order thought I'd ask if there's anything else you fellas would recommend going ahead and replacing while you had it down? I know you never know what you'll find when you get it apart but this is my maiden voyage on a steering box and not sure what to expect. Thanks fellows.

[Ken/Alabama]

I would replace the upper and lower bearings and the two bushings and seal in the bottom of the sector. While you have it apart clean and reseal the brass tube that is pressed in the bottom plate,that is a common place for leaks.

[DavidG]

Better yet, solder the brass tube to the plate like the early versions were.

[NealinCA]

I will second all the above.

I silver solder the tubes into the lower plate...which seems to work well.

Also, replacing the sector shaft bushings is a good idea, because if they are worn, a new seal will only last a short time. You will need to ream or hone the bushings to fit the sector shaft. A good automotive machine shop whould be able to do this for you.

Make sure you check the worm and sector roller for galling. Replace if necessary.

Neal

[DavidG]

Why not go all the way and replace the sector shaft bushings with needle bearings like the '36s had? The parts are readily available and the machining required is not significantly different than having to ream new bushings. You'll end up with the next best thing to power steering.

[NealinCA]

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Originally Posted by DavidG

Why not go all the way and replace the sector shaft bushings with needle bearings like the '36s had? The parts are readily available and the machining required is not significantly different than having to ream new bushings. You'll end up with the next best thing to power steering.

I read somewhere that the 36 sector shafts were carburized steel, designed to take the micro-loading of needle bearings, and that all other sector shafts were not designed for this?

Makes you wonder why the needle bearing were only used for 1 year? Gemmer made steering gears for many different auto mfgs and they continued to use bushings for decades later.

I am not saying that bushings are better than needle bearings...I am just throwing this out there as a discussion point.

Neal

[Karl Wolf]

There are applications where bushings are superior to needle bearings, steering being one of them... Where there is little movement and relatively high loading...
(My humble opinion)... Karl

[jerry grayson]

Originally Posted by Karl Wolf

There are applications where bushings are superior to needle bearings, steering being one of them... Where there is little movement and relatively high loading...
(My humble opinion)... Karl

Karl, I could not agree with you more!!! The 37 thru 48 steering box sector shaft bushings very rarely need replacing, they just do not wear much. Most of the leak on this box is from the end housing plate 78-3597. A brass tube is crimpted into this plate and the tube inserts up the steering shaft to above the oil level. The tube gets loose on the plate and lets the lube out. Solder or braze the tube to the plate. The sector shaft seal also will leak some and will need to be replaced. Burly,these two things will fix your oil leak.

[burly]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your advice.