VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 1941 steering issue

I am a new member here and I thank you all for allowing me to join up.
I have 1941 special deluxe that i am rebuilding and I need advice on my steering box.
It has to much play in the wheel and I'm looking to replace the worm gear parts but I cant find any. I put a seal kit in but I think maybe there is too much wear in the gear.
Can anyone help me with finding parts I may need. I don't know what steering parts are interchangeable with the 41.
Thanks

You can get a reconditioned unit from Lares Corp. for around $250.
Search Lares.

In a steering box there are gears, bearings, and bushings that all wear. If the wear is not too much you can sometimes make adjustments to reduce the free play.

The process to adjust the box is in the 1941 shop manual. You will probably need to add steering grease to replace all the original grease that oozed out past the bad seal.

Also you should inspect all the moving parts and pivot points in the complete steering linkage. For example, if the kingpins are very worn there will be slack in the steering even with a good steering gear box.

Chevy Nut, I phones the Lares corp. and they have none (#8014) in stock. they offered to rebuild mine when they get the parts for $460.00 plus shipping. They will not sell parts -only the complete box.
Thank you for the lead and I'll keep looking.

It seems to me that $460.00 is not too bad to get the box professionally rebuilt. I, personally, would not even try to rebuild one myself. Too much "Fig Newton" stuff involved to get it just right.

On the other hand, going with new sector rubbers, king pin bushings, long tie-rod and tie-rod ends may take enough slack out to make the car a much better driver.

Rusty is right about following the shop manual.

Good luck with it,

Charlie

The complete steering gear fits 1941-1948 passenger cars.

Hi Fred,

We have discussed steering box issues quite a few times in old posts. You can access previous discussions by doing a Search of our old posts. Locate the Search process by going to the header at the top of the page. Click on SEARCH then click on the question mark for the best advice on the process. Need more Searching advice just ask? Here is the type of responses you will get:

1941 Steering Box

Steering Box Adjustments

Good Luck and welcome to our chat site,
Mike

Did they tell you what parts they replace? When I asked 5 or 6 years ago they said just bushing/bearings/seals. They would reuse your sector and worm gear as new ones were not avail. I would think those are the most important parts to replace in order to get the play out . That may have changed by now.

Dick

Excessive steering wheel movement can be caused by a little movement in each of the many joints in the steering system as well as in the steering box.
Tony

They did not speak of specifics in the rebuild. I called twice and spoke to different people and was told they do not manufacturer new parts. They have a supply of old parts.

I wish to thank all who have given me advise on my steering problem. I don't think I want to pay close to $500.00 for a box that is to be built from spare parts at Lares. I am capable of doing it should I have the parts. I will continue to look for parts and double check all other steering joints on the car as advised. Thanks again,Fred

Hi Fred,

That is a great decision! I know it will take some effort to find the parts but you will be pleased with the end result.

That is the approach I took this spring when I rebuilt the steering box on my ”˜37. I was able to find all the parts from some of the smaller sources that specialize in old Chevy parts and eBay. I actually found the Timken roller bearings for the shaft at Summit Racing. I think I spent more time finding NOS parts than I did actually rebuilding the box. That is because all the parts fit as expected.

Keep us updated on your progress and results.

I would not assume that you need all new parts. I would suggest that you do a complete steering box adjustment by the book. Then you can check to see how the steering box is at it’s best, If the pitman arm shaft jumps or moves latterly while moving the steering wheel with the wheels on the ground then you need new bushings and a seal. You may not need anything else,

I agree with Old216 that all you might need is a good adjustment. I also agree that bushings alone might take care of most of the problem. That was the case in my steering gear. I installed the new shaft and sector because I already had them.

I found high-quality bearings at this site https://rolek.cz/cs/, so you can also look through their production. There is a wide choice of other things too, so I hope it'll help.