teering boxes

[austinsailor]

In going though the '51 one ton Fargo I'm working on, I pulled the steering box this afternoon. It didn't feel good, and as I suspected, it was dry, and both the worm and sector were gauled.

I recently took apart a 49 3/4 ton steering box which had similar problems. I find that the sectors seem identical. I haven't gotten the wheel off yet, so I can't compare the worms exactly, but they seem the same as well.

Now to the questions. I also have a 53 half ton which has a box that feels ok. Loose, but no feel of bad gears. I'm wondering if it will be interchangeable? Or, at least the guts. It'll take a bit more work to get to it, so if it won't work, I'll spare myself the pain.

I also have a like new sector hidden away somewhere that is for a 1940 Dodge sedan. It is similar, but until I find it again, I can't measure it. Is there hope it might work?

I can answer that question now, I searched my attic and found mine. It's different. NOS for a 40 Dodge, doesn't have the place on the top to hold that adjusting plate.

But I'm curious - can the gear be removed and put in the other one?

I'll save my questions about shims, setup and all until I locate some usable parts.

Thanks for any help.

Edited March 9, 2011 by austinsailor

[HanksB3B]

(its' Gene isn't it?)

Here are a few links re: Steering Box.

Steering Box

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=21335&highlight=steering

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=22463

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=21029

I'd sure be interested in trading something with you as I know you are always all over the place so to speak. I still have a complete steering box from my 51 B3B that depending on the shape of your parts may be in better condition than the ones you have (pictures of yours would surely help).

Hank

[MBF]

Austinsailor: I'd be very interested in what you find with this. The box in my 49 is loose. I dismantled a tight setup from a 51 parts truck and kept the sector, bushings, and bearings (the shaft was cut off so when they removed the cab). I also have a known good box from a 52 that I was planning on installing, but I believe the mounts are slightly different. The column has a much more vertical orientation in my 49 than the one in the 51. The column support brackets that support the column at the bottom of the dash are different too. I was hoping that someone had a parts manual and could check and see if the p/n's are the same for the box internals-that should tell us it this will work. It'd sure save a lot of work rebuilding the column in the truck. Please keep us posted. Mike

[austinsailor]

I'm going to try to pull the box out of the 53 half ton today if the weather isn't too bad.

If your worm on that cut off shaft is good, you can do what I did once. I had a 49 Dodge coupe with a worn out box. I took a box from something else, can't recall what it was. (this was in 1969. I've been patching together Mopars for a few years!) It would fit except the shaft was a different length. I cut both off, welded on the end from the other to make it the right length, and it worked fine.

I have to make a puller to get the steering wheels off, too. Going to be a busy day.

[austinsailor]

35 degrees out this morning, but I went and pulled the steering box from the b4b. It was the loosest of any of the boxes, so I thought the chances of it being usable was slim.

Got it apart, it was full of flowing grease. Adjusted it up, it's like new inside and adjusts up with no play at all! I doubt it was ever adjusted in it's life.

The seal still held, but I got it out and am on the way to town in a bit to try to locate a new one. I may be lucky, but I don't want to push it. If anyone has a part number for this seal, I'd appreciate if you'd post it.

The tally - a 49 B1C, a 51 Fargo 1 ton and a 53 b4b all have the same box. My 48 B1B looks similar, but I haven't taken it out.Mounting on all are not the same, the 51 and 53 have a doubled area of the frame bolted on, the box bolts to it with bolts through the frame. The 49 had a casting bolted to the frame, the box bolted to it. Box itself is the same.

I think the reason this box was good was that it still had flowing grease - I'd say 160 weight or so - and it stayed lubed throughout. If someone had pumped gun grease in it, it would probably have been toast like the rest.

Just a thought.

Gene, getting lucky in Mid Mo.

[David Muma]

Napaonline show a seal - their part number NOS 11065

Steering Housing Seal I.D. : 1.1250"

Steering Housing Seal O.D. : 1.5660"

Steering Housing Seal Width : .1880"

I am headed to NAPA today to see if they have one here or if I have to wait for them to get it in.

NAPA didn't have it in stock but were able to get it in 1 1/2 hours. That impressed me. The one I received is an SKF seal part #11065.

Edited March 24, 2011 by David Muma

[HanksB3B]

I had a 49 Dodge coupe with a worn out box. I took a box from something else, can't recall what it was. (this was in 1969. I've been patching together Mopars for a few years!) It would fit except the shaft was a different length. I cut both off, welded on the end from the other to make it the right length, and it worked fine.

I'd rather NOT KNOW was WELDED (especially by me). Well they do weld damaged titanium jet fan blades and I ride em?

Hank

[austinsailor]

turns out the seal is used by about a dozen different brand vehicles, each has their number. still, nobody here had one.

napa could get one for $15 in a few days, oreily could get it overnight for $20. I'm on the way to pick it up.

[Don Coatney]

turns out the seal is used by about a dozen different brand vehicles, each has their number. still, nobody here had one.

napa could get one for $15 in a few days, oreily could get it overnight for $20. I'm on the way to pick it up.

Did you try McMaster Carr?