54 dodge steering gear box rebuild

[dodge59]

1954 dodge royal manual steering :

 

my steering wheel has a lot of free play in it . I adjusted it already with no changes . soooooooo what usually wears out in the gear box?  would a rebuild kit take care of that problem  or  would  the worm gears be worn too.  just wondering what my plan of attack will be on this steering gear box. 

 

this gearbox  is part of the shaft that goes up to the steering wheel.

it's all one unit  and that's the way it has to come out of the car .

 

there is a kit available . .................... or   is there anyone out there  that  can rebuild it for me ?

Thanks guys !

john

[TodFitch]

Dumb question: Have you gone through the front suspension and things like tie rod ends to make sure everything is nice and tight there?

[austinsailor]

You say you've adjusted it.  Did you take the sector gear and shaft out and remove shims?  Many think that the screw and lock nut on the top adjust it, but that only holds it down against the shims. If it's worn, you  must remove shims until the play is gone, then the screw holds the sector down against the remaining shims.

 

Does it have flowing type oil in it, grease, or nothing?  I'll probably start another cornhead/grease/oil war, but if it doesn't have a good seal and hold your favorite flowing liquid, you're also wasting your effort.

[dodge59]

Dumb question: Have you gone through the front suspension and things like tie rod ends to make sure everything is nice and tight there?

suspension is all good .

goes down the road straight as an arrow with no wandering.

[dodge59]

You say you've adjusted it.  Did you take the sector gear and shaft out and remove shims?  Many think that the screw and lock nut on the top adjust it, but that only holds it down against the shims. If it's worn, you  must remove shims until the play is gone, then the screw holds the sector down against the remaining shims.

 

Does it have flowing type oil in it, grease, or nothing?  I'll probably start another cornhead/grease/oil war, but if it doesn't have a good seal and hold your favorite flowing liquid, you're also wasting your effort.

Great info austinsailor !

It has the proper oil and has a good seal,  nothing leaking.

I did not open the box up yet. I do have a service manual  but confused .......... time to pull it out of the car and take a look inside. .

Edited October 14, 2015 by dodge59

[austinsailor]

Full of oil is very good!

Pull the pitman arm, clean the shaft well or you'll ruin that good seal when you pull it out. Take that top cover off that has the adjuster screw in it, push the sector shaft up and out.

I'd wash everything out at this point to get any old oil, metal wear dust and anything else out. On most cars this can be done right in the car without removing anything else. The only problem would be if there are things like a manifold or something in the way.

You'll find a number of round shims in the bottom. You should also inspect the worm and sector for any visible wear, gauling or other visible problems.

Now, assuming everything looks good, this is how I'd proceed. May not be the way anyone else would, they can chime in.

I'd remove all the shims, smear a little grease on the worm and sector and drop it in with no shims. I'd put the cover on, snug everything up, including the adjustment screw, and see if there is play or it feels weird. If it has play now, you're screwed. You have bad bearings, too worn gears or a bigger problem and the box will have to come out and apart. If it generally feels good, put shims back into there is a tiny bit of play. Remove the smallest shim or juggle what you have until there is no play.

Put it back together, fill it with a lub that flows and drive it.

Edited October 14, 2015 by austinsailor

[DonaldSmith]

In the Mopars through First Series 49, the pitman shaft pints down and back, so "bottom" is "bottom.  Then afterwards, the steering gear is on its side.  

 

My DeSoto Shop Manual includes the Series S-11 (through 48), S-13 and S-14.  the illustrations are for the later sideways  arrangement.  The "top" of the steering gear is shown as accessible from the left side.  I don't know if any fender parts have to be reomved for access.  

[austinsailor]

First, let me say I'm not offended by corrections. If I get something wrong, by all means jump in and tell me.

My 36 Desoto Airflow is crossways. I pulled the box for several reasons, but I think the motor block would be in the way of just pulling the sector, so I understand the problem.

My 53 plymouth is still vertical, I assumed they all were, I had a 53 Dodge 45 or so years ago but I've forgotten how it was arranged.

Regardless, the general concept should be sound, it might just be a bigger pain in the rear than I thought.

I know where there are some later Desotos, I should look next time I'm near them.

[dodge59]

You were right austinsailor .  just the way you said it would be .

  3 shims under the front cover.. they looked more like gaskets . anyway,  that solved the problem  with all the slop in the steering wheel .

pic shows shims .. 3 there ,, one is still on the square plate. that is the thinnest .

there is a article on this procedure in the repair manual as well.

 

Thanks ALL !

[austinsailor]

Actually, you're into the "bigger problem" area. You've actually adjusted the bearings in the other shaft, but I'm glad it worked.

 

Keep the seal good, keep oil that flows in it, and it should be good longer than you are!