Topic: Rebuild and refinsh Steering box

[fastback66]

Here are the pics of my 4 turn steering box out of a 66. I am looking to redo the it inside and out. Does anyone on here hae some tips on this? Do they sell a kit to rebuild this it some slop to it. How big of job is this for someone that haas never taken one apart?

As for finish is it phosphated or just bare steel on the housing? The pitman arm finish? If there are any threads out there on how to do this let me know.

66Fastback

[carlite65]

this link may help.....

http://www.stangerssite.com/CanISteeringBox.html

[CharlesTurner]

Some detailing pics:

http://65kresto.blogspot.com/2009/10/10309.html

[fastback66]

caspian, where did you get your rebuild kit? How bad was that to do?

[e093116]

I rebuilt my steering box with the kit from StangersSite.com.  I thought the rebuild parts were good quality, the instructions were great, and it was an easy job.  I refinished similar to what Charles describes, although I chose not to do the blackout.

You should have a press and 0-30 in-lb torque wrench at your disposal for the rebuild job.

The best advice in the instructions was prior to disassembly, see if you can adjust the box to spec.  If so, then you have a good candidate for rebuild.  From memory, I think the spec for input shaft rotational torque was 5 in-lb at the ends and 10 in-lb in the center, but you should verify in your shop manual.

There is also some good stuff in the instructions with the stangerssite kit regarding inspection of the various components.  Pay close attention to the condition of the sector shaft, rack block, and input shaft worm gear race.

http://www.stangerssite.com/HowItWorksSteeringBox.html

[fastback66]

Thanks I think I will give it a shot! I will call and get this kit ordered!

[fastback66]

ok so i have the steering box apart and it looks really nice inside on all the gears! So my question is what finish is supposed to be on these parts? I know the gear box itself is cast iron, and the cover plate is supposed to be a shinny plate. it looks like the bolts holding the cover were black. Here is the pic of all the pieces!

[fastback66]

if anyone has any pictures of one done that would be great also!

[CharlesTurner]

if anyone has any pictures of one done that would be great also!

My link above provides close-up pics of all finishes, before I blacked out the top.

[fastback66]

On the cast parts did you just glass bead them like the lock washer? On the short shaft what is the best way to clean up the end of that where it is rusty and crusty should I use the wire wheel? on the top plate that is the shinny steel i tried the wire wheel to the bottom side and it cleaned it up nicely except for it leaves the finish uneven. I am not sure you would ever notice that on the car though!

[CharlesTurner]

I lightly glass-bead parts and then use different techniques to obtain the desired appearance.  Tumbling and rubbing with steel wool are some of these.  Would recommend against using a wire wheel to clean parts.

[fastback66]

I was going to head out to harbor freight and buy a tumbler what media are you using to get good results? I have to get a cheap one since I am on a limited budget!

[J_Speegle]

I was going to head out to harbor freight and buy a tumbler what media are you using to get good results? I have to get a cheap one since I am on a limited budget!

Not sure if Harbor freight carries one big enough or one that will handle the weight of a steering box case.

Believe Charles and others are using ceramic rods for this

[CharlesTurner]

Yes, we're using angle cut ceramic and a 3 cubic ft. tumbler.  On a steering box, though, the only thing that would need to be tumbled is the top plate, which could be accomplished with a smaller tumbling unit.

[fastback66]

Which finish do you think looks closer in you opinion? one is eastwoods brake grey and the other is the zinc phosphate by eastwood.