Steering Gear 1968

I took my steering gear box apart today , the side cover, and found that the cage for one of the bearings is broke. From what I can tell enough is still their to hold them properly but I would like to replace both. I believe from looking at the manual it has 2 bearings and I do not know which is broke. Any one know where I can get the bearings? I see a lot of rebuilt gear boxes for the p/s unit but not the manual. Napa has the seals but no bearings. I would rather have them before I comepletely remove it and take it apart.

If all else fails I will make bushings out of a phosphurous bronze but I would rather have the bearings.

Also how much play should their be in the steering. When I got the van it had about 6 to 8" and after cleaning, installing new lube and adjusting it is about 1 to 2" but looks good, when I turn the wheel slightly the tires move but when driving I feel a little play. Everything else underneath looks tight. The cleaning out and putting new lube in made a big difference, just wish I hadn't found that piece of the bearing cage.

Thanks

Doug

1968 A100 318/ 727

If anyone has a steering gear box they want to sell let me know, I could rebuild it then just swap it out.

I just ordered bearings from a guy who rebuilds them out of Washington. Hope they are the right ones.

i was sure the lower bearing was " NOT " a caged bearing but just the balls running in the two race halves. i want to know what your supplier get you for bearings and seals cause i would do mine in a minute if i could find parts. i am down to my last spare and it goes nowhere till i find another.!!

Walker wrote:I just ordered bearings from a guy who rebuilds them out of Washington. Hope they are the right ones.

Been looking as well, would be interested in the part numbers & supplier if they work out.
Thanks

'68 A100 pickup

I bought a rebuild steering box off eBay - sales@spam-site.www

Any info on the part numbers/supplier? I have been looking everywhere for either a box, or parts to rebuild the one i have. Mine is just about toasted.

All I could come up with is seal numbers. The bearings apparently no one can get. I took mine apart and cleaned it, removed a shim from the end to take a little play out and assembled it with new seals. I adjusted it as good as I could and got most of the play out, still a small amount but it isn't to bad. I do believe it had two caged bearings because one the cage was just split, still ok, and the other was in pieces as I cleaned it out. I did pick up a spare gear but have not had time to take it apart. I found a bunch of steering gear shops and none had the bearings so I am not sure how they fix the worn gears or replace the bearings. The seals I used were 11066 and 7415, got the numbers from a skf book I think but napa ordered them for me.

The gears do show up on ebay about every other month. that is where I got my spare.

The 2 companies that people on here and Brian has on his parts list are:
steer'n gear 1-800-253-4327
car steering.com 1-800-399-7845
I haven't used these guys or even talked to them so who knows??? Maybe they can help with the parts.

[quote="kiwimopar"]

Walker wrote:.............
'68 A100 pickup

I bought a rebuild steering box off eBay - sales@spam-site.www

I think someone has hacked my profile....I didn't write that comment about the eBay steering on my profile anywhere.

If the larger bearings aren't rusted up and totally junk they would probably be okay, seals i think you can get. the bronze bushings will allow some play also if they are worn some, but a good machine shop can make those. there are also some small needle bearings inside the large gear section that can be worn out, again most likely on a dry steering box, those I dont think you can get, best bet is to find another steering gear to work with if there is any galling on the the worm or gear, We just went thru this on my bros 59dodge PU. Got another Box from Ben in Idaho and all it needed was new bushings made. The bearings we tried ordering for the original, from Motion Industries, formerly Detroit Ballbearing were not the right ones even tho the part numbers matched. Its a crap shoot fixing them.

Digz wrote: We just went thru this on my bros 59dodge PU. Got another Box from Ben in Idaho and all it needed was new bushings made.

Sorry for the thread theft here but did you get that box into his truck? Hope it all worked out good for you.

Often times you find a part number has been superceded with another, similar bearing. Usually the ID and OD of the bearing are the same its just the style of the bearing can vary. If all else fails try getting ahold of your local bearing house and give them the dimensions you need. They can probably find something in another line just like what you are trying to replace. We have had to do that on many occasions working on my boss' '39 Fords. Sometimes you need to make a spacer because the replacement is a bit shorter, but it shouldnt be too difficult to find something to work for you.

The box worked out great!! ,,like I mentioned just had a machinist buddy make up some new bronze bushes and he can tool down the road with one hand on the wheel now. Right on on the bearing, it was the right size but a different style and wouldnt work. We tried alot of shop remedies on the old one and had little success, it was just to damaged to bring back.

Great! Glad it worked out for you/him.