Steering Box Seal - Input *arkracing*

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by arkracing

I just read a post about steering box leaks and you said that you had to replace your input seal and not the pitman seal. I have this problem with my truck as well the imput seal (up where the steering shaft enters the box) is leaking.
is this a hard job? How is it done? special tools?
Thanks,
Andy

Andy -
I tried to respond to your email message, but your inbox is full (rejecting messages).

When my seal went south, I went out and bought an Input Shaft Seal Kit for about $15. Replacing the seal on the input shaft wasn't too bad of a job, once the locking nut breaks loose.

Remove the nuts and bolts from the steering shaft/Flexible Coupler. Then, after marking the orientation of the locking nut and the adjuster plug on the steering box housing, use a punch to loosen lock nut on the steering box. It may take a few tries around the locking nut to loosen it. After removing the locking nut, use a pin spanner wrench (from bicycle shop or ???) to remove the adjuster plug. Keep track of the number of turns required to completely remove the adjuster plug. The adjuster plug assembly can then be pulled out of the steering box. The retaining ring can then be removed to disassemble the adjuster plug assembly. You can then remove and replace the stub shaft dust seal, stub shaft seal, and the o-ring. You then reassembly everything and including the new retaining ring. Then install the adjuster plug to the exact number of turns and align it with the earlier alignment mark. (To check the Thrust Bearing Preload: tighten the adjuster plug with the spanner wrench until the thrust bearing is firmly bottomed, about 20 ft-lbs. Then back it out a 1/2" counterclockwise. It should be close to the original alignment mark.) Then install and tighten the locking nut. Be sure that the adjuster plug doesn't rotate as you tighten the locking nut.

Good luck.

[arkracing]

I cleaned out my In-Box (Sorry about that)

I actaully posted this over in the '67-72 Section (But I was over here hunting for some pictures and saw my name) Thanks for the Info. I got it done on saturday.

i didn't have to do all that though. I just took the snap ring out of the top part of the box then took that huge nut off with some big Channel locks (My buddy hit it a couple times with the hammer and chisel to break it loose). Then I just pulled the whole top assembly out and replaced the O-Ring, Seal, Sust Cap and Snap Ring then put it back in.

I did a short write-up on it in the other thread.
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=219545

You wrote directions for doing the Pitman Shaft Seal????

I plan on replacing that after re-installing the steering box. Take the snap ring out..start the truck up and the pressure will blow the seal out of the box...then you don't have to take the whole thing apart and screw around with the pre-load etc.
Can't do that will the top part of the box since there is an O-Ring in there as well.

[boxrodz]

A day late and a 'few' dollars short...

Good to hear that you got it replaced. Nice write-up, too.

I've not yet had trouble with the pitman shaft seal, so I haven't touched it.

BTW speaking of pics, got any of the '33?

[arkracing]

I haven't touched it since August. I'm still "working" on it. It's pretty rough still, but it's fun. - And I don't call it a "RatRod" , it isn't one and it will never be one.

Thanks for the interest - I know it's a Ford, but @ least it is BBC Powered

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by arkracing

I haven't touched it since August. I'm still "working" on it. It's pretty rough still, but it's fun. - And I don't call it a "RatRod" , it isn't one and it will never be one.

Thanks for the interest - I know it's a Ford, but @ least it is BBC Powered

Thanks for the pics, Andy.

Cool rod.
I bet it's fun to cruise around in ...

[Ron 586]

arkracing, you have a nice old hot rod no matter what name you put on it. When I was growing up here in west Tennessee in the 50/60's we didn't have money to buy the chrome and fancy stuff so we took old junk whatever we could find and buy cheap and built it to drive. Your truck brings back a lot of memories. Of course yours would have been top dog back in the day. I'll keep an eye on this one.

[arkracing]

Thanks for the complement's guys. I only said that because some guys around here what to "rat rod" thier 67-72's by putting it in flat black and red wheels. (Ehhem I did that to my '69)

The term get thrown around way too much and people hear it refered to when they see a car in primer or flat paint

I can get some more pictures together in the coming weeks or whatever and do a small build thread if you are interested.