Steering Gearbox Problems

[Case500D]

Well I got my Borgeson steering shaft installed and really like it. It cured a lot of the slop in my steering. However, the steering is still somewhat sloppy, especially when the truck is cold. The ball joints, kingpins, and wheel bearings are all tight. Also, when removing the roll pin in the old steering shaft, I must have damaged a seal in the steering gearbox because it is leaking oil around the stub shaft. I went to NAPA and all they sell is a rebuilt gearbox, no seals or rebuild kit was available. My neighbor/mechanic friend said he can adjust the steering box and replace the seals. My question is where can I find seals for the stub shaft of the gearbox and what is everyones opinion on replacement versus adjustment. The rebuilt gearbox is $140. I have 174,000 miles on the truck and want to keep it for quite a while longer. Thanks for the help and ideas.



Jeremy

 

[J DeMaio]

Hey Jeremy:



Do you have any bearing/seal suppliers around you? I have 3 near me. I haven't done this to my truck, but for other applications, just take in the old bearings and seals and they can fix you right up and pretty cheap also. You might be able to go to AutoZone, I believe they sell Timken bearings and seals. Hope this helps.

 

[bigkid59]

Jeremy



Find a parts store that sells Gates belts and hoses. Last time I checked Gates offers a full line of seal kits for steering boxes as well as pumps.

These kits are in a small seperate catalog, not the main belt and hose catalog. I seem to remember then being a 5 digit part number beginning with 35.

Hope this helps!

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

For $140 get the a complete rebuilt gear box with a warranty, which is the way I went. Why screw with it ? Who knows what you will run into on the tear down. Just my 2 cents worth.

Kyle

 

[Paul Herioux]

Rebuilt Gearbox

I have to agree with Kyle. This is the way I'd quote for a customer at my shop. The rebuilt has warranty and the bench overhaul labor would be right near $100(or more) just about anywhere in the country. It's definetly the better way to go in the long run.

 

[Case500D]

Update

I found a seal kit from Car Quest for $28, but I found the dust and oil seal from Chrysler for a total of $18. So I am going with just replacing the seals on the stub shaft and having my neighbor help me adjust the gearbox. If I still have problems, then I will replace the entire gearbox. Thanks for the help and ideas.



Jeremy