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[Guest MidTNDawg]

Here's a little more of the story. The endplate leak is actually the first attempt I made at stopping the profuse leaking of gear lube from the box. This particular box functioned well and really didn't need to be rebuilt. Steering boxes (like differentials) are probably best left alone unless they are causing handling problems.

Once the endplate leak was stopped, I reinstalled the box, filled it up with fluid. Guess what, the fluid just poured out thru the next biggest leaks, which were described earlier (leak#1 & #2) between the two halves of the box and at the end of the sector shaft.

It was at this point I decided to end the leaks once and for all. So out the box came again. I tore it apart to find the cork gasket was shot between the halves. I then realized the only thing that was supposed to keep the gear oil from leaking out the end of the sector shaft was the bushings. Bushing were not designed to seal anything. The original engineers must have decided "just let it leak." That's when I decided a sector shaft seal was needed. In addition, the bushings obviously wear out in short order, so I replaced these with needle roller bearings. Lastly, the interface between the sector shaft and the housing is not originally a thrust bushing, but a piece of hard leather! You can see it on the shaft in my earlier photos. So I replaced this with a needle roller bearing sandwiched in between two thrust bearings. Now you can really take the slop out of the box. It is incredibly smooth to drive now. Feels like it was when it was new, maybe better. If there is any interest I can post a few photos of how that was done.

JOE, help My reading comprehension is normally pretty good, but I missed this until I was ready to reassemble. Did you ever publish the pictures? I will be picking up bearing and thrust washers tomorrow, 12/21. Any more info would be good.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

Edited December 20, 2012 by MidTNDawg (see edit history)

[R.White]

Yes, some photos would be a great help. It's always interesting when someone like you finds a solution to a problem which has plagued other owners for years. You must have felt a sense of satisfaction in stopping the leaks and redesigning the problem area with needle roller bearings. I love doing this sort of thing with old cars. Well done to you.

Ray.

[Guest MidTNDawg]

Ray, the other photos are great. What I am dealing with here is my "thrust washer" is not leather but seems like phenolic. There is a slight chamfer at the base which a real thrust washer will have to clear. The phenolic is about .130" and it seems I will have to go to approx. .232" with the bearing and washers. Only about another 1/8" but would like Joe to respond since he seems to have really worked through every thing.

[R.White]

Either Doug or Joe, please could you direct me to the post with the photos?

Ray

[Guest MidTNDawg]

Hot Rodding the Gemmer Steering Box Ray this is the thread title. I believe it is on page 1. Tremendous help for me and then in the doing of the mods everything becomes crystal clear. Doug

[R.White]

Good stuff!!