VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 29 steering box rebuild

Does anyone know where to get the worm thrust bearings and races? Mine are pitted.
Also I am trying to find a good assembly diagram. It seems that the box is assembled incorrectly or missing parts. I can post pictures to explain.
Thanks

if you type "pitman" in the "search" (key word) section you will see a wealth of info. i had the gears turned over 180 deg. ('30 coupe) and the loosey goosey steering tightened up nicely. hope this helps. jim

I'm not sure that this was assembled correctly. The rolled ring seems to float around like an afterthought. The large Lock washer (3/4") fits over the thread, however, it stops when it hits the splined shaft which is about 7/8" diameter and protrudes about 3/32" above the gear. Whoever installed it last forced the lock washer down over the shaft and tightened the nut causing the lock washer to break then they peened the end of the threaded shaft to keep the nut from coming off. The cover plate was installed concave side in so that it presses against the rolled ring forcing it against the gear. When the steering wheel is turned the rolled ring turns against the inside of the cover plate causing scuffing of the inner surface. It seems like something is not right here.

Thanks Jim, It looks like there is good info there.

I found the worm thrust bearings and races by taking the old ones to my local industrial bearing supplier and he found a match in the Timken catalog. Sorry - but I didn't keep the number.

Actually, the assembly looks correct as I remember it. You do have to adjust the gasket thickness so that the cover plate holds the pitman gear snugly in the housing, but without binding.

All the Best, Chip

Bearing is SKF 51104

Thanks d2,
My bearings have a "sphered" (tapered seat). The SKF catalog shows 51104 as having flat seats, however they would probably work. I may just replace the balls and use the old races. I have been unable to find anything other than custom bearing manufacturers.
The Filling Station did not have a source.
NOS would be great if anyone knows where to get them.
Thanks

The SKF 51104 bearing shown on this site is the correct bearing for the 1930 Chevrolet steering box and it is identical to the original bearing:

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/images/assets/products/tbs.jpg

Can anyone help me find a pinion gear for my 1929 chevy it is a 11 tooth gear

The 1929 bearing has a sphered (tapered seat). The I.D. is 20mm the O.D. is 33mm. Simply bearings does not show any.
Thanks

1. The 1929 and 1930 steering box thrust bearings are the same.

2. SKF 51104 is a direct replacement for the original 1929-30 OEM thrust bearing.

3. The SKF 51104 bearings are identical to the OEM bearings that I removed from my 1930 steering box and the SKF 51104 bearings that I have are identical to the photo that you posted above, including the tapered seats (race).

4. The thrust bearings that I now have in my 1930 steering box are the SKF 51104 bearings and they work perfectly!

Welcome to Chevy Chatter. Glad that you could join us!

If you are talking about the pinion gear for your rear axle assembly, for better results you might want to post the above in the "Parts Wanted" forum that is further down on the Chevy Chatter home page. The discussion on this thread is about rebuilding the 1929-30 steering box.

Good luck with your search!

J.D. I'm confused. The casting number of the box 552539 is correct for 1929 and 1930, however, both my casting and the nut shown in photo have machined recesses for beveled seat bearings. SKF 51004 is a flat bearing. Is it possible that Chevy changed the bearings and eliminated the machining mid year?

All I can tell you is that I have a new old stock set of SKF bearings in stock and they have the beveled races just like the original bearings. Maybe SKF changed their design or possibly they may have changed the bearing part number.

check this out. Have to leave house now but if this doesn't work can help later.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110747752087?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If you do search other threads on this.

Doug, link did not work.

Doug and J.D. I did order one from ebay. If it is correct I will order a second. Thanks for the help.

Copy the item number from the above link. Go to the advanced search on eBay and type in the item number in the box where it is requested. Hit "Search" and the auction will come up with that item number.

check out this whole thread:
https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/334244/2

If the ebay site I gave you works You will save quite a bit. At around $5.00 each I would have ordered 2 bearing sets now.It looks like they are coming from China.

The price at United was quite expensive. You could always call United and maybe they are cheaper now. ph # on above thread.

Also if you call bearing distributors in your area and give them Stock # N-36 made by the Nice company they may have them.

Here are some 51104 bearings for $1.97 on eBay:

Item number 271926138528

Unfortunately, they come from China.

$1.97 with free shipping! Hopefully the one I ordered will fit and then I'll order another.