Steering box rebuild?

[Skunksmash]

Dang. The list goes on and on. Wheel bearings? Never thought of that one. Can't you tell if those are bad by jacking up the vehicle and sort of shaking the wheel?

[VileZambonie]

Jack up the vehicle and rock the tire at 6 and 12 o'clock. If you note any play and verify it's not in the ball joints or observe the play in the hub only (ie brake rotor is moving laterally) then you have play in the bearings.

[Skunksmash]

Nice info. So rocking it at 6 and 12 o'clock is for wheel bearings, and rocking it at 9 and 3 o'clock is for tie rods. That sound right? Trying to learn stuff.

[beastie_3]

pretty much, but it could be something else besides tie rods: pretty much anything else in the steering system. if you have play when rocking at 9 and 3, have someone else look around at all the components for movement.

[76StepSd]

Use the search terms "dry park check" and you'll find several explanations.

Maybe he's recompiled the search since then?

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?action=search2

What do you mean?

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6945.0

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6706.0

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=14609.0

This is interesting....i was looking at these posts and the one with the pics of the truck showing the "not so sharp" turned wheels reminds me of my truck. Pretty much the same amount of max wheel turn.

[Skunksmash]

Alright well, I'll tell ya this: Its way better just to go buy a reman unit from the auto parts store. I saw what all is involved in rebuilding the steering box. Not worth it unless you're already good at rebuilding stuff like that.

I am curious though. What kind of oil goes in the steering box? Just 90w or something like differential oil?

[1979C20]

It wouldnt be power steering fluid?

[Skunksmash]

In the box itself? I'm not sure.

[beastie_3]

When they rebuilt one on Powerblock, they didnt add anything besides a little grease to hold the ball bearings in while assembling it. I figure its just PS fluid.

[76StepSd]

I saw that same rebuild......i dont think its difficult but like he said if you havent done it a few times i guess it could be a lil confusing. I try to find old extra stuff like that or used the old parts of what i replace to experiment...unfortunately i dont have a steering box. Even though i plan to get a reman one i would love to have an old to mess around with.

[Skunksmash]

That is the one I saw. A lot of steps just for a steering box. If I had a rebuild manual on hand, I'd be happy to try it. But its not likely I'd even be able to find one anywhere.

[beastie_3]

If I were to lay money down for a reman box, Id attempt to rebuild one first to try and save $ and for the experience.