C2-C3 steering box rebuild

[anychevy]

Has anyone (successfully) rebuilt their steering box (or had it rebuilt) and been happy with the results ?
The experts say, the sector shaft bushes supplied with most kits are rubbish and if used, will still be sloppy.
They also say, new gearsets are not available, so if worn out, it'll be a complete waste of time.
This is a non power steering car, I've adjusted the lash as best as I can, but it still wanders a bit.
Everything else is new, alignment is good, just a bit of play in the box I can't get rid of.
Hopefully someone has "been there, done that" cos I really don't want to send my box to the US and back.
Thank guys for any help
Cheers

[bfit]

Mate this may sound simple.
 But they are only basically a rack and pinion
That has a recycling ball arrangement to minimise wear inside the rack.
It can not be to hard to repair
If the gears are worn to the stage you can not adjust the warn section with out locking up at   either side of center then have the sector re machined
You will never know if you don’t give it a go.
PM me if you want some contacts  that machine gearing
When it come to bushing you should be able to get semi finished bushes and ream them to size after fitting and make a good job of it 
Most bearing companies will be able to supply
All you need is and ID .OD .and length
They will be steel backed   bushes
you can get the steel balls as well through the bearing company

alternative you could contemplate a Brogsen power steering box
they are available in Melbourne

Bfit

[anychevy]

You will never know if you don’t give it a go.
alternative you could contemplate a Brogsen power steering box

I was just wondering if anyone has rebuilt there's and if it was an improvement or not ?
I was contemplating "giving it a go" with this kit
http://www.bairs.com/page23.asp #5075
Nothing ventured, nothing gained right ?

Yes, the the borgeson kit would be nice, I'm still looking into that.
But I can't see how the gears can be machined, if worn out, without adding more material ?
Thanks Bfit
Cheers

[bfit]

anychevy
IF time is not a problem then why not pull it out and  strip it down then you can make an informed decision

machine gears
the quadrant on the Pittman shaft  is tapered
In fact its a modified bevel gear running on a rack  driven by the steering shaft
simple old deficient idea, good for 40 odd  years.
Because the quadrant is tapered you can machine a minion amount of the unworn section and get things back in tolerance.
another problem they get is the clearance under the adjusting  screw
it not only hold the shaft down it also hold it up.
if the clearance is to much  the pinion shaft can move down and lock up at the most inappropriate moments
they can not just be adjusted down and hope for the best.
Get her out take some photos whats is there to loose except time.
Bfit

[anychevy]

anychevy
IF time is not a problem then why not pull it out and  strip it down then you can make an informed decision
Get her out take some photos whats is there to loose except time.
Bfit

Ah, o.k. I have a better understanding now.
Time is not an issue, it's not dangerous, it's not even that bad really.
I plan to rip it out when it gets a little cooler and inspect then.
when I get it out I'll pull the cover off and take some pics.
I'll probably go ahead and order that kit anyway
If you like, maybe I'll just give it to you with the kit ?
I'm more than hapy to pay you.
How about that ?

[bfit]

Mate time is always an issues with me
But I am only to happy to assist.
I will be removing a box from one of my C3 in the near future
to fit a Brogsen
So I will have a spare steering box

They are available in Melbourne  at not to much more than buying in the US 

Is that  65 you have now
Bfit 

[anychevy]

Mate time is always an issues with me
But I am only to happy to assist.
I will be removing a box from one of my C3 in the near future
to fit a Brogsen
So I will have a spare steering box

They are available in Melbourne  at not to much more than buying in the US 

Is that  65 you have now
Bfit 

It's a 66, but they are all the same (internally) from  63-82
I'm still thinking about the Borgeson kit, haven't made up my mind about it yet, it's about a GRAND all up.
Please keep that box, I may need the guts
Thanks again
Cheers mate

[68rat]

Done mine but have not driven with it yet.

[bfit]

It's a 66, but they are all the same (internally) from  63-82


I believe 63/79 are the same
Bfit

[anychevy]

I believe 62/79 are the same
Bfit

Different box

[bfit]

Yes I realized my typo
I wonder if any of the Holden boxes internals would fit a vette housing
I think they were Saginaw boxes too
Bift

[anychevy]

Yes I realized my typo
I wonder if any of the Holden boxes internals would fit a vette housing
I think they were Saginaw boxes too

Possibly ?

I found a paper written by Gary Ramadei on the rebuild procedure, if anyone else is interested.

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_info/suspension%20&%20steering/63-82_Steering_Box_Rebuild.pdf

He's supposed to be very good, but not cheap !

[sirfixalot]

Read somewhere they use corvette guts in Mustang steering box as it gives a better steering ratio. Both saginaw boxes.The 63 box has a splined input shaft & also a couple of years into C3 they then indexed the input shaft with a flat on it not sure what year they changed

[anychevy]

Read somewhere they use corvette guts in Mustang steering box as it gives a better steering ratio.

Some parts do interchange
" The 71-73 worm and rack assembly is identical to the 70-82 Corvette piece "
http://www.buy-steering.com/Ford-Mustang.htm

[anychevy]

Well it looks like the gears are toast      I wasn't expecting that 

[bfit]

They are not good
But the only tooth that is reply bad is on the rack
 If the mesh is good in th straight ahead position. It will still work
 When box is set up correctly  there will be a definite firm spot
 They are designed to be more clearance on the full lock position
It would be work fitting bearing to is and see what it come up like
Nothing to loose
I things these boxes  gears are mofifeid tooth form  on 10 DP
I will PM you the contact info for a company that  should be able to reco the gears if they are not to pitted
BFit

[anychevy]

After more research and (spouse) negotiation, I ordered a Borgeson kit today
http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/catalog/Corvette_P_S_Kit_19631966_SBC_SWP_with_factory_Manual_Steering-p-1524.html
John @ Pro steer was a pleasure to deal with.
http://www.allvet.com.au/
Will need a balancer (and maybe a water pump) pulley, but I think everything else is there.
I'll post up my install progress.
Cheers