54 Chev steering box question

Hi all,
I am currently restoring a 1954 Chev, which I plan to do everything myself but I have a MAJOR flat spot (sat for a long time) in my steering box. I have greased and adjusted to no avail. So before I go find some dude who's going to charge me an arm and a leg to rebuild it, I was wondering if there are any other steering boxes or other years that will work in my 54. A couple swaps are coming up in the next two weeks (woohoo!) so I can see if I can find a replacement at probably a much better cost but I would like to know what I should keep an eye out for. Thanks in advance for your input. It's really appreciated.

Thanx!!

Angi

 

Tear it apart and see what's causing the flat spot, they're not that complicated. Get a shop manual and take a look at it.

If this is a p***enger car, manual steering box, the '53-'54 p***enger cars (except pwr strg & convertible) have the same box, according to my '57 Chevrolet Parts Manual. The power steering unit is listed as a one-year only.

 

It's supposed to be tight in the straight ahead position and will get looser when you turn it to the right or left. If you have the steering box adjusted too tight it will feel like it is binding when you turn the wheel past straight ahead. Is this the "flat spot" you're talking about? It needs to be adjusted like it shows in the manual. If you turn the wheel all the way to the right or left you should have quite a bit of play in the wheel, but should be tight straight ahead. The 49 thru 54 boxes adjust the same way. 53 to 54 have bearings instead of bushings so it should adjust out unless it is in bad shape. Here's a link to the manual.

 

thanx!

yeah it's just a p***enger car with manual steering. i have to take it out anyway but i thought if i am going to these swaps i could keep my eye out for a replacement. thanks for the input!!!

 

My old car felt like it had a lot of play when you just moved the wheel at a stop, but it never felt unsafe while driving, you could let go of the wheel and it would go straight forever.

 

i am cutting up a 53 for parts do you want the box?? call bob the tech guy 216-541-4585

 

I put a 52 box in my 54. Parts dont interchange across boxes due to different bearings etc, but any 49-54 box should fit. The ratio's are a little different, but nothing to worry about.

 

It's not really a flat spot as opposed to a lump.

 

All those parts are replaceable. Those units are pretty water tight so even cars that have sat in the elements for years can have immaculate steering boxes. My advice would be simply to take off the steering wheel, unbolt the box from the ch***is and linkages, then pull out the box and steering column as one, then unbolt the side plate, degrease that mother and have a look around inside. Anything look bad? If so ring your local old chev supplier and get them to give you a new part. Sounds like you could have a dent in the worm gear or the sector shaft roller.

 

49-54 Should interchange and maybe even 53-63 Corvette, after all, those gl*** cars sit on slightly modified 53-54 Ch***is, don't they.

 

I adjusted mine per the instructions in the manual and it made a world of difference.

If you need any more help tearing one down to rebuild check the link below. Its a detailed rebuild with lots of good pictures. Also, the 53/54 boxes are better than the older models due to the use of bearings instead of bushings.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/225413/