VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 41 steering box

I’m about to rebuild the steering gear for my 41 coupe, and need some help. I’ve found a picture in chevs of the 40’s catalog. It’s helpful, but not a very sharp or detailed image. Is there a better one somewhere? They list a rebuild kit that is on backorder, so I need another source for parts. That kit includes bearings which I may not need. So, if I could buy the parts separately it may be better. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Sid

I have a 1938 steering gear apart. It's freshly rebuilt but I had to pull it apart to ship the shaft and I hand carried the gear box itself on the plane. Yep, I get searched every time I fly.
If you can check a parts manual to see how similar your 41 is to the 38, I can take you some pictures once the shaft arrives in a couple days if it will be helpful.

Tim, based on pictures in chevs of 40’s, yours is a different steering gear. It shows 39-48 as same. Thanks for the offer though. Sid

Hi Sid,

Just a reminder to keep your manual close at hand and to study it carefully. We have past posts back to 2008 on all things related to steering issues. So be a good detective and look at a lot of them. Take notes on all pertinent info. Remember SEARCHING using the plus symbol before the term or terms you want to search (+steering +box). Remember to use the DISPLAY name like Chev Nut or Mike Buller. Remember to evaluate your steering with the wheels off the ground with help from someone turning the wheel while you look at the the moving parts of the steering system. Remember how each component in the suspension is important to good steering performance. Well balanced tires without flat spots are just as important as the condition of your shock absorbers, as important as the pitman arm bushings. All of the suspension system needs evaluation. Finally, a professional front end alignment is a must, and the knowledge that there is going to be some play before there is some movement in your car's direction. Remember you are dealing with very old technology not modern power steering.

Good luck, Mike

I agree with Mike. The shop manual and parts book are key resources for information.

I also suggest that you might want to contact some of the independent suppliers who advertise in the G&D. Many of them have quite the stash of either OE or NOS parts. For example, Bruce Bugay in Virginia had a brand new steering shaft and bushings for my '37 steering gear.

I encourage you to look for parts from sources like that. My observation (and it is an opinion to some extent) is that the "new" replacement or reproduction parts I receive these days are often not quite what you expected. Depending upon the work I am doing I plan to spend time reworking/adapting between 25% and 50% of what I get. While I value our long term suppliers like Chev of the 40's and Filling Station I have accepted that they are not manufacturers and have limitations with respect to quality control from their sources.

I have to agree with you on that. There is seldom a better part than new old stock, except maybe gaskets and such. I have had to rework many new parts to make them work properly. Many of the reproduction parts are not an exact fit. It can get down right frustrating.

Hi Sid,

Once you see the condition of your internal parts I might be able to help with some of the parts I have. My parts are all used but maybe in better condition than you might find? The Chevs of the 40's online catalog shows some parts available.
Steering Box Overhaul Kit

Good luck, Mike

I would highly recomend that you send the steering gear out for rebuilding. Common parts that may be requied are almost impossible to find.
I will cost about $300 and is well worth the money.

Thanks for the help guys. My 85 year old machinist friend rebuilt the unit with a little of my assistance. He has rebuilt many steering gears over the years. We found that the gears and bearings were good. It was a matter of disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, new seals, and adjustment. We finished yesterday, and hopefully the unit will be reinstalled in the 41 in the next couple days. Sid

That is great news! Thanks for the follow-up. A steering gear assembly is not that complicated mechanically but you still need to pay attention to the details.

Please let us know how the car steers when you have it back on the road.