1975 Steering Gear Box

[smither]

The steering gear box on my '75 needs to be replaced. The local shop wants $600 to do it. I can get the part myself for around $190, but I'm not the most mechanically inclined person. Anyone know how hard it is to replace this? I also need to replace the idler arm. Any idea how hard that is to do?

Thanks

 

[JohnZ]

Pretty basic mechanical work, outlined in the Shop Manual; you'll need a pickle fork (or a 2-jaw puller) to get the idler arm off the relay rod, and a pitman arm puller to get the pitman arm off the steering gear. When you're done, you'll need the toe-in touched-up to re-center the steering wheel.

 

[GTR1999]

$600 is way out of this world. I blueprint those boxes and it doesn't cost anywhere near that. A rebuild kit runs about $60. You'll need some tools and a dial inch pound torque wrench. You can use the bushing in the kit but they will not cut down the side play in the pitman shaft. I make my own bushings to tighten up the spec's. Check with corvette steering for parts and undersize bushings. Drop me your email and I'll send you some pictures of the box apart and the bushings you know what in there.

 

[smither]

Once the gear box is rebuilt, does it take much to actually install it or is that part pretty easy?

 

[Tom73]

Once the gear box is rebuilt, does it take much to actually install it or is that part pretty easy?

See what JohnZ said above. Pull the pitman and idler arms, then disconnect the rag joint in the steering shaft. Only three bolts hold the box the frame. Just reverse to put back on.

tom...