VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 1947 Fleetline Steering Box Removal ???

If it comes down to it do I have to pull the steering gearbox and steering column from the car as 1 unit?

Reading the service manual it describes that it all comes out as 1 unit. But I was wondering if anyone has been able to separate the box from the mast while it was still in the car?

Anybody know how long the process takes?

From reading other posts on the topic my chances are great when it comes to not having to rebuild the gearbox but I'd like to see what I'm up against if that's what's coming.
Thanks

Many years back, I had a 1950.

Taking the body off the frame, I removed the steering wheel, then removed the gear box / column without much of an issue.

Hi Fleetboy,

Removing the steering box while the front sheet metal is on the car is not for the faint of heart. Do you really want to explore this option? It is good that you have done a search of our past posts we seem to cover this topic about every 4 months or so in either the 37-42 Forum or the 46-48 Forum. I included this link so you can see how you might even include a Display Name Search as part of your search of past posts. It should show my posts back to 2008 on the topic, giving you a lot of feedback on the process of dealing with steering issues. Steering Gear Questions

There are a lot of things that you should have already checked out before removing the box. They are very simple and should occur before even thinking of removing your box. For me the The primary reason to not remove the box is that all the linkage for your transmission is attached to the mast (painted cover) of the steering box's worm gear. If you do not get the linkage back in its original location your car will not shift properly.

The shaft for the worm gear is what the steering wheel is attached to. The wheel and mast come out the interior of the car. the worm gear with its long shaft and the box come out from below the car frame as one unit.

The usual cause of steering problems is the condition of the rubber bushings on the pitman arm. If you do not know their history replace them. They easily deteriorate from a leaking steering box.

The next thing to checkout are the components of the steering system. Has the box lubricant in it, and what kind? Do you have worn king pins, loose wheel bearings, leaking shocks, bad tie rod ends, alignment problems, out of round and worn tires, or an out of adjustment steering box?

Lastly, what is your expectation for what the "proper" feel of a 60 year old system should be? There is little to compare about the feel of our modern car steering systems and the old ones. Likewise, the safety of our old cars is not comparable. What speed do you think your car should perform as well as your modern car?

Good luck, Mike

P.S. If you are like me it took a lot of rereading my manual to begin understanding how the steering box works, is adjusted, and is repaired.

Don't try to adjust your steering box before the rest of the system is restored to its best condition.

Mike,

Thanks for all the great info.

I'm going to stay away from the steering box for now as I start on the other components first.

Thanks

I have removed steering box assy from my 48 Fleetmaster. It is not a real tough chore. The main problem is that you have to lift the car high enough in the front to pull the box/mast out as a unit. When you get to that, jump on here again and perhaps I can help you through it.

Jim.

You should be a section of the floor that is removable and bring it up through the car in one piece.

Happy Birthday, Jim.

Enjoy this one, with many more to come.

I do NOT know the specific 1947 steering box removal procedure.

IF it is the same procedure as the 1951, the steering wheel and gearshift lever/linkage are removed. The gear box and column are all pulled down and forward, towards front bumper .... with column going down and out, through the floorboard.

P.S. Looking at '42 to '47 manual, procedure is same as '49 to '54.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1942_47/4247csm903.htm

My memory is getting a little fuzzy since its been awhile since I had a steering box out of one of those era vehicles and I now remember taking the box out the bottom of my 53 Olds after I removed the column and wheel.

Thank you bobg!!

The 47 should be like my 48 and the steering gear box and shaft comes out the front from under the car.

Don't have my 48 manual anymore, but it's not too tough to do, just some time and patience. You do have to jack front of car waaay up to get the unit out as it has to come out under front suspension cross-member.

Jim.