Steering box

[jimm1009]

I had my front end up on jack stands to finish my bearing / brake job and noticed that my steering box output shaft has about 3/16 up and down slop in it.
This is the answer to the slightly wondering wheel while on the highway.
Question is this. Has anyone ever found the bushings and sleeved bearing for the their steering box?
I really don't see replacing the whole steering box just because of some worn parts as long as the sector shaft and worm gear are o.k.
I don't have it off and apart yet because I want to finish bleeding and adjusting the brakes, etc. before I start with the unexpected phase two.
All comments are welcome as usual.
Jim
jimm1009@yahoo.com

 

[WillWagner]

Hole's truck had a bad wobble up front at speed...45 to 55. While he was here installing a C turbo, we jacked the front end up. Found a slightly loose left wheel brg, and the steering box had a bit of play. Mostly we noticed that when the steering wheel was turned either way, the pitman arm moved up and down in the bushing. We turned the screw in 'till it got tough to steer, then backed it out about 1/8 turn. The movement in the shaft was almost gone, and the wobble went away.

 

[jimm1009]

Yes Gringeltaube, that is it. The shaft has the up and down movement due to some worn bushings. The total movement is about 3/16 of and inch (.185 inch or 0.5 cm)
This was noticed when the front wheels and drums were removed while doing the front bearings and brakes. I have not removed the steering box yet.
My truck is a 1972 AM General M35A2C. I have only had the truck for about two months as received from the US Army ao I have only put about 300 miles on it total.
I probably have a front end alignment problem because my front tires are scalloped and I do have a 1/4 turn of freeplay in the steering wheel at the other end.
All of the wear seems to be right at the steering box. There is nothing else that is loose, or appears to be worn, or cracked.
I would like to find the bushings and sleeved bearing to replaced them if they are available. I will do a search by NSN through Thomas Register to see if there is a vendor still manufacturing them.
I have not checked the dealers yet but thought I would ask the other owners here because I'm sure that this is a common finding among other trucks too.
Thanks, Jim

 

[gringeltaube]

OK, but not so sure that your's is the most common case. 3/16" of wear is a lot! Usually bearings, worm and other internals are long gone before that. If adjusting that screw as WillWagner described doesn't cure the problem my suggestion is: try find someone with a good takeout box and don't bother trying to fix yours. One possible source: member greengemdepot, PM or call Matt 386 364 4669.

G.

 

[ken]

I had the same problem. Memphis equip had the parts. I got both bushings, the shaft seal and the gasket for the back plate from them. I haven't installed the parts yet though.

 

[beaubeau]

Not sure on this one, but there are Adjs. for that on most steering boxs. Check it out before buying new.

 

[FMJ]

I am in the same boat with one of my trucks, the output/pitman arm shaft moves up and down when the steering wheel is turned, maybe a 1/8" total travel, it also appears to be leaking oil from this location. I tried the adjuting nut and it did remove some slop, but the shaft movement is still there....I won't sell a truck in this condition. I am wondering if it is repairable in the truck or do I need to swap out the box with one from a parts truck? I have the ability to move/remove the engine if need be. I have read alot of the posts regarding this subject and everyone seems to have a different idea. Where do I get a copy of the article in MV mag, issue 116 I think, that covers the replacement of the steering gear?

 

[dabtl]

NickD did an article in Military Vehicles Magazine a year or so ago on rebuilding the steering box on the M35. It is very helpful

Parts are available from Memphis. Putting them in is no big deal.

HOWEVER, getting the box in and out is a major problem.

You need to take the cover off first. A close thing that is. I found that by taking the motor mounts loose and lifting with a hoist from the front of the engine, I could get enough clearance to remove all the bolts. NickD on the other hand had enough clearance on his. I think it will vary by truck and the difference was probably a quarter inch.

Once the cover is off, you can remove the steering shaft, remove the top bolts holding the steering column and remove the entire assembly to build on the work bench. Re-assemble in reverse, putting the cover back last.

The TM's would have you moving the motor to the right side several inches and a lot of other prep work that is un-needed.

Putting in new bearings and races is quite simple.

 

[FMJ]

NickD did an article in Military Vehicles Magazine a year or so ago on rebuilding the steering box on the M35. It is very helpful

Parts are available from Memphis. Putting them in is no big deal.

HOWEVER, getting the box in and out is a major problem.

You need to take the cover off first. A close thing that is. I found that by taking the motor mounts loose and lifting with a hoist from the front of the engine, I could get enough clearance to remove all the bolts. NickD on the other hand had enough clearance on his. I think it will vary by truck and the difference was probably a quarter inch.

Once the cover is off, you can remove the steering shaft, remove the top bolts holding the steering column and remove the entire assembly to build on the work bench. Re-assemble in reverse, putting the cover back last.

The TM's would have you moving the motor to the right side several inches and a lot of other prep work that is un-needed.

Putting in new bearings and races is quite simple.

Is it the MV issue you mentioned in your threads? 116?, If so, how do I get my hands on it?

 

[dabtl]

#116 is the issue. You can order it from Military Vehicles Magazine and have it in a week.

It is very helpful and more detailed than my brief sketch. The only part in the article that I could not duplicate was the final cover bolt. I improvised to move the engine slightly and overcome the problem. My guess is that the conversion of these vehicles to multi-fuel involved parts that were not identical allowing some play in the measurements.

It can probably be done in less than one day.

 

[rizzo]

Once the cover is off, you can remove the steering shaft, remove the top bolts holding the steering column and remove the entire assembly to build on the work bench.

I have a parts truck I am taking the cab off. What hold the steering column in? it is unbolted, but wont come out of the gear box.

 

[dabtl]

You have to remove the Pitman arm on the side of the box connected to the drag link.

You also have to remove the steering gear cover and remove the lever shaft from the assembly. This then frees the steering shaft to be pulled out.

You can see the diagram in Fig. 115 in TM 9-2320-361P.

The lever is #8 and the shaft is #24

If you are doing this in the truck, the removal of the cover is a chore. The bolts holding the cover do not normally clear the IP. Some move the engine assembly toward the passenger side of the truck. I did it by loosening the motor mounts and lifting the engine an inch or two. This gives enough clearance to remove the cover and disassemble the box. A real PITA.

 

[rizzo]

You have to remove the Pitman arm on the side of the box connected to the drag link. Remove that and the gears are free to be pulled out with the shaft.

thanks