Steering Gear Box Rebuild

[az03sonoma]

For those "do it your self" people out there, I cleaned and resealed my manual steering gear box over the weekend. It's very simple and cheap to do. I found a remanufactured gearbox at O'Reilly's for just under $300 with exchange. I spent just under $30 to clean, re-seal and lube mine.

I found the pitman arm seal and upper worm gear shaft seal at Napa.

The upper seal for the worm shaft is PN 7481 (SKF brand) and cost $ 10.41

The lower pitman arm seal is PN 12329 (SKF Brand) and cost $ 9.84

I also used some Mobile 1 synthetic bearing grease to refill the gear box and cost $6.99

The only special tool required is the pitman arm puller which I got at O'Reilly"s on their tool loaner program, so I basically purchased it, used it, and then returned it for a full refund.

A word of advice, it's easier to remove the pitman arm and loosen the worm gear nut while gearbox is mounted to the frame. Also, do not completely fill the gearbox with grease or you will blow out the new seals. You need to leave room for grease movement and heat expansion. I would say that you only fill the box roughly 65% full.

My bearings appeared to be ok and I could not find any replacements locally. I'm sure that they are available somewhere, but since mine were in good condition, I did not search much for replacements.

Here are some scans of my 1986 S-10 GM Service Manual about the manual steering gear box

http://www.s10racer.com/board/album.php?albumid=187

Scroll down to see pictures of the assembly :10:


Tony

[Diabolical]

I couldn't find any??? I even went to LMC

[mytmouz]

Try Sweet Maufacturing? Not sure if the name is correct, but it's Sweet something...

[az03sonoma]

I couldn't find any??? I even went to LMC


Ya, that's why I figured I should ask someone. I checked everywhere on the net and locally. There's got to be someone...



Tony

[az03sonoma]

Try Sweet Maufacturing? Not sure if the name is correct, but it's Sweet something...

I'll try that Terry.

Thanks!


Tony

[quicks10]

any numbers on the box?

[az03sonoma]

any numbers on the box?

Ya, the GM part number is 7843962

I did a search and only came up with remanufactured replacements...


Tony

[az03sonoma]

Try Sweet Maufacturing? Not sure if the name is correct, but it's Sweet something...

Hey Terry,

I found the site that you suggested and found it.

http://www.sweetmfg.biz/default.asp?active_page_id=1

I sent them an email to see if they sell parts. They only list complete units on the web page.

Thanks!


Tony

[az03sonoma]

Well, I finally rebuilt the steering box... well at least re-sealed and lubed it.

I could not find new bearings, probably didn't need them anyways... but I did find the seals at Napa.

If anyone needs to or plans to rebuild their manual gear box, here is what you'll go through.

The upper seal for the worm shaft is PN 7841 (SKF brand)

The lower pitman arm seal is PN 12329 (SKF Brand)

I used Mobile synthetic bearing grease (based on a few other forums about chevelles and camaros)

The only special tool required is the pitman arm remover that I got at O'Reilly's.

I found out it's easier to pull the pitman arm while the box is still bolted to the frame. It's also easier to loosen the bottom worm shaft bearing case (the end cap with nut on the opposite end of the steering shaft) while it's bolted to the frame


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0022.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0023.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0025.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0026.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0027.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0028.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0029.jpg



Tony

[az03sonoma]

The assembly

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0030.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0031.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0032.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0034.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0036.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0037.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0038.jpg





Tony

[az03sonoma]

Make sure to leave room for air and heat expansion of the grease or you'll blow out your new seals...


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0040.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0041.jpg


New Seals


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0042.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0043.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0044.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0045.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0047.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0048.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0079.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0078.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/az03sonoma/Project%20S10/IMG_0082.jpg



Tony

[Diabolical]

EXCELLENT BUILD!!!!
Very good job.. I am impressed!
That will be a great steering truck!

[az03sonoma]

Thanks Mike,

I would have taken before pictures, but my camera broke and I ended up buying a new one after cleaning it up...

The old grease was dried up and you can see that I had a hard time getting it off some of the parts... The desert heat is brutal of vehicles... :7:

I'm sure it will be good for another 10-15 years now... :10:


Tony

[Diabolical]

I'm going to "Stick" this thread..
Can you compile the part numbers here?
Maybe edit the first post and add them and some general info..
It will make a great write up..

I'll wait till you are done..

Thanks,
Mike

[Alvarez1112]

I know this is an old thread, but I was searching for the seals using the supplied part numbers and wasn't having any luck. I just went through the thread again and figured out why. The part number listed on page one is 7841; however, the box reads 7481. That's most likely why the part number didn't work. Just wanted to point it out.

[slow89s10]

was their any numbers on the bearings? and if so can u put them here ? their is a place here that sells alot of bearings this is the place were u can get bearings if they have a number on them http://www.applied.com/