Steering Gear Box

hey guys, i need some help here if anyone is knowledgable on gear boxes. i replaced the top seals in my power steering gear box and for some reason the ball bearings that fit around the crok screw shaft became dislodged and fell into the bottom of the box. i retrieved them and tried to put them back in . does anyone know the correct way to re-install these bearings? this is on a saginaw 69 model box, thanks

You need to remove the rack assembly from the within the steering box. Basically, you will have to completely tear down the box. Then remove the bolt that holds the ball return to the rack assembly. With the worm screw in the rack assembly, insert all the ball bearings you can. It should be filled completely. Using grease, fill the ball return with all the remaining balls. The grease will keep the balls from falling out. After you have all the balls in either the rack assembly, or the ball return, assemble the ball return back onto the rack assembly. Do not allow the ball screw to move too far out of the rack assembly again, or the balls will fall out once more. Install the rack assembly into the box. Turn the input shaft until the rack is centered in its travel. Then install the sector gear. Turn the box thru its entire travel and check that the pitman shaft moves about 90 degrees. If it does then you have done a good job.:)

Those balls may be different colors. If they are then alternate the colors as you assemble them. During a proper rebuild, larger size balls are used to compensate for wear on the ball screw and rack assembly. The larger balls come in different colors to help the rebuilder identify the different ball size.

Danny Nix
CPP

thanks danny for your info. this supposedly half hour job has taken me all week, this has helped me tremendously. i guess when your dumb you suffer:p