Steering Box Replacement

[Starwood]

I tried tightening the gear box (the 1/2" turn trick) and there was still too much play, so I went ahead and got a replacement.

Just checking in with you guys for any do's/don'ts before things get dirty. There is not much on YouTube for the old Chevys.

I can take it to the trusty classics shop for labor only, but hoping I can pull this off and save a few bones.

If you've swapped one of these and have a minute to share the good, bad, and ugly - I'd appreciate your comments.

[PGSigns]

It is a direct bolt in. The biggest thing is to get the steering wheel straight and level and centered in the turns before you pull the box to give you a place to set the new box to. Do you need to swap the pitman arm? Check the rag joint before you pull it apart so if it needs redone you have the stuff ready when you pull the old box.
Jimmy

[rpmerf]

If you got a 4.5 turn box, a 3.5 turn box is a nice upgrade.

[Starwood]

Originally Posted by rpmerf

If you got a 4.5 turn box, a 3.5 turn box is a nice upgrade.

Yup - it's a 3.5

[damnyankee36]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

It is a direct bolt in. The biggest thing is to get the steering wheel straight and level and centered in the turns before you pull the box to give you a place to set the new box to.
Jimmy

Another thing to look for is to make sure the steering wheel is aligned to the shaft. Look for the two alignment marks on the shaft and steering wheel hub. That way the turn signals will cancel at equal steering wheel angles and the shaft will be centered.

[cj847]

I assume the rest of your steering components are good.

The hardest part is getting the pitman arm off. You must buy (or borrow from O reileys) a Pitman arm puller. The "secret" is to put the puller on and tighten the thing really tight. You will notice that the pitman arm doesn't come off even though you are sure the puller is about to break. Take a hammer and WACK the side of the pitman arm where it is attached to the box. It should pop loose.

Suggest you put your wheel strait ahead and tie your steering wheel to something so it doesn't move while it's apart (more of a concern on new vehicles, but still good practice).

[Starwood]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

It is a direct bolt in. The biggest thing is to get the steering wheel straight and level and centered in the turns before you pull the box to give you a place to set the new box to. Do you need to swap the pitman arm? Check the rag joint before you pull it apart so if it needs redone you have the stuff ready when you pull the old box.
Jimmy

Thanks Man. Appreciate this - gonna check that pitman arm and rag joint for sure. Looks like I'll need an arm/rod puller for this job and a trip to Autozone is on the agenda. Thx again.

[Starwood]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

It is a direct bolt in. The biggest thing is to get the steering wheel straight and level and centered in the turns before you pull the box to give you a place to set the new box to. Do you need to swap the pitman arm? Check the rag joint before you pull it apart so if it needs redone you have the stuff ready when you pull the old box.
Jimmy

Hey Jimmy - I noticed a small amount of play (maybe a 1/4") in the rag joint when I wiggle the column. Is this normal? To be clear, the play is only where the coupler meets the box. Everything else is tight upstairs.