kgreen

Just saw a set advertised for a 1940 Buick limited on eBay. Sold at this point, but here is a picture:

I've been searching for images for the 1940 splash pans. Nothing yet. Here is a picture of a pair for a 1936 Buick, not sure what series. The ask was $225

Well, there goes the Buick restoration budget for the next four years!

Referring back to your brake pedal bracket, you said that you used clear zinc. What manufacturer did you purchase from? That assembly looks great.

I just bought a loaded frame for a large series Buick this past summer, the engine ran. The steering gearbox, shaft, steering wheel and two original wheels were also attached. The guy was going to rat rod the body on a frame he was going to build. I might have been a special customer as I had to have the parts so you too will be looking for that special customer. I've seen small series frames like this advertised for many months going unsold. Having the original wheels would be desireable. You're in the range of $400 (got to go $) - $1,000 (got to have it $).

I've looked in the parts book and cannot find enough info to identify the part. I have seen it too. In fact there was a splash pan on both sides of the engine at frame level. I think it was a one piece pan on the right side and a two piece pan on the left side. I'd be interested in more info on this as well.

Nice project. Do you have a total car write-up?

Appetite now wetted - need pics of the car.

I once read a thread on another forum titled "restoring for the next generation". I think you are doing that at the very least. In fact, I suspect that 70 years from now when that car is restored again, GM will get a lot more credit for the care with which they assembled cars than they deserve, based on the effort that you put into this car.

"Let's deal"

See? I did get it back together and didn't have to exercise any unbecoming vocabulary. Runs smooth as a Buick should.

Thanks 50 and Don. I removed the housing as you noted. The ball bearing is a stamped steel housing with low load requirements. It does not need to be replaced as it doesn't see much at all for loads causing wear. It likely doesn't require replacement on the majority of restoration projects out there. The smooth operation of the steering wheel will be compromised, however, by old hardened grease. By cleaning the inner and outer race, degreasing the balls and relubricating, I'm betting that I will have a like-new feel. I removed the housing as shown below: This is what it looks like when removed: bottom top A snap ring holds the assembly together. Once the snap ring is removed, the assembly comes apart and ball bearings roll all over the place. (I had the balls contained - didn't lose any!) I degressed the balls and the two halves of the retainer. I then gobbed lithium grease all over the housing surrounded by the balls in the above picture, and "glued" the balls in place. Slipped the top cover back over the inner race, re-snapped the snap ring and voila: this end of the steering shaft will last the rest of my lifetime. In the meantime, I ordered a new pitman shaft seal ($10.00), pitman bushings ($11.00) and roller thrust bearings ($22.00). I'll show you the assembly once those parts are received.

Ricki and Lucy trade in the Lincoln and rely on Buick. Unfortunately, Ricki has the same driving skills.

No thrust involved at this end of the steering column. The lower end of the shaft is supported by two roller bearings that provides thrust and radial resistance. The bearing at the top of the steering column provides axial support. I guess it could be a ball bearing as well as a roller bearing. I've not seen it yet so that is a guess on my part.

It's this guy inside the tube. Don, I can pry this out? Or possibly bump it from the other end of the shaft?

The '40 Buick has what appears to be a roller bearing within the upper portion of the steering column, just below the steering wheel. Chevy calls this a steering column mast bearing, not sure if Buick does or not. How does one remove this bearing? I see that Bob's doesn't carry this piece either. Does anyone have any sources?

Not that Gary needs our advice, but now I know something more.

1939 Buick production

Think I fixed it.

Screw Cap Covers ? or decorative washer?

When I got the car, all window glass was missing on the drivers door, the wood trim on the sill, vent window mechanism and the garnish molding. This past summer I picked up an entire door with all of this in place. Today was the day I finally disassembled the parts door to replace all that is needed on my car. The hard part was figuring the vent window at the top of the rail that separates the vent from the larger window. (I almost called Gary W about his '37 since he has such great hands on skills!). I finally figured it out - nothing is broken, just worn out. While I have the front end disassembled for the radiator, I took time to photograph everything under the hood for placement and configuration. This will be a huge help re-assembling the 76C which was mostly stripped out.

Read your post a long time ago, now with your update I rechecked it again. I love your car!

Whoops, I've hijacked somebodies thread!! Morton, start your own, I'll move my comments over.

Morton, here's your color charts