How big of a project is this for someone having never done it? I mean, do you have a guess? I was debating attempting to rebuild my leaking gearbox rather than buy a new one ('80 Volare). I know little about this part, could it just be as simple as a seal or something of that nature?

Anyway, something to buy new or worth rebuilding? How many days would you allot for a rebuild?

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I did one in school only and I remember that you need to keep things in proper alignment as they come apart, the torsion spring and valve plates, and the ball screw assembly, you need to count the balls as they come out in relation to ball screw rotation or something, the part most worn is probably the sector gear and I don't know if thats accessible if you don't disassemble the rest, its been since 84 for me now.

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Advise should be taken as ongoing, that way, when you get to realizing what you are doing you can include yourself.

Chances are real good that there is something in your box that will need to be machined. You would be better off to just send your box out to be rebuilt to modern standards.

I sent my steering box to Steer & Gear this winter, for a rebuild as is was leaking like a sieve, and the shaft that the pitman arm attached to was flopping around with way too much play.

I had the firm rebuild so the steering now feels like a modern car, not some over boosted twitchy mess. They fit over sized balls, and re valve the hydraulics somehow, something you can do at home. It came back in about three weeks, Maine to Ohio to Maine, with a warrantee, and all painted up ready to install.

Firm Feel is another company located on the west coast that produces a nice rebuilt gear. I decided on the closest shop to reduce shipping charges and delivery time.

Bill

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Krytellan, where are the leaks coming from?

As wjajr said, if the gear unit is generally worn, you are better off with a professional service, but if only the seals are worn, both the seal on the sector shaft and worm shaft are replaceable, and can be serviced without removal of the steering gear unit from the car. You may need special tools, though.

You should really get a manual for your car, you can get one on CD or paper from rockauto.com, and others as well. (NOT the Haynes manual!).

Olaf.

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Aspenized

Thanks, Olaf. I have a manual, just getting a feel from others. I'm not sure where the leak is coming from, but the whole bottom of the box is wet. The reason I was thinking rebuild was largely because of the combination of the leak and a pretty decent amount of "floppy play" in the steering as a whole. Nothing dangerous, but enough to cause some unintended veering at times.

Thanks for the info, wjajr. I think I might just go that route you suggested. I like the though of having firm steering control.

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You may also have interest in this little article from Mopar Action: Cheapskates' guide to feeling firm.

Olaf.

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Aspenized

Cool article, Olaf. Thanks for that! I'll have to give that a go in conjunction with a box rebuild.

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