Manual steering box rebuild?

[Surffly]

Can these boxes be rebuilt?
Or is it a replacement item?


Steering is loose on my truck so I figured I would do the whole system.

Found a $200 kit with most of the parts.
And the pitman is like $35

All from summit.

While I'm there I'll do ball joints.

That leaves the actual box.
Not sure if it can be rebuilt or they just get swapped.
Another $200 isn't going to kill the build, but if it can be rebuilt for less I might as well do that

 

[DoubleDingo]

If a power steering gear can be rebuilt, I am sure a non-power steering gear can be rebuilt too. Probably a lot easier than a power steering gear. Spend that other $200 on something needed for the truck and gain some experience.

 

[Surffly]

Any idea where to find a "kit" or at least a needed parts list?

 

[DoubleDingo]

By "the whole system" I am assuming you are talking about the kit being for the entire front end minus the steering gear kit? LMC Truck may have a kit for the steering gear, or Napa, Car Quest, Autozone, etc. There is an adjustment screw on the top of the gear that can tighten the steering. But if it is already sloppy and no more adjustment left, definitely rebuild it.

 

[Surffly]

I'll have to reach out to the local parts stores.
One in town is good.

Guys at pepboys and such are useless around here.



This
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mog-k6142

Plus this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pof-116-10037

Was what I was looking at.
Figured with the addition of ball joints and a steering box that covered everything.
Am I right?

 

[DoubleDingo]

That sounds about right. That will tighten up the front end nicely. Yeah most of the workers at the parts stores don't know squat. If you find a parts store that has some older workers you can actually get questions answered.

One time I went to get some coolant overflow tubing and the person behind the counter said it wasn't available. I tried explaining it IS available because car companies install it on their vehicles. They stared at me with a blank look. I went to a different store and got what I needed.

 

[Surffly]

That's why I figure out what I need and just order most of it online.

 

[friscobob]

I bought a rebuilt manual box for under $200 exchange from Rockauto, never looked back.

 

[Surffly]

Yeah bit if it can be rebuilt for less that would be better for me.

If it can't then so be it

 

[MadOgre]

Yeah bit if it can be rebuilt for less that would be better for me.

If it can't then so be it

I just changed out my power steering gear and there was $5 difference between having it rebuilt and buying a reman

Was $265 at parts store and $260 at the Gear Center

 

[Surffly]

I could see that.
But for me I wouldn't be counting the labor the shop would charge to rebuild.
I'm only looking for the parts, the labor will be my own time.

 

[Irishman999]

I am all for rebuilding, saving a buck and having a good time but I will never try to rebuild one of those stupid mother fuckers again. Mine was a power unit so it might be different but I still spent an entire weekend fighting it on the bench just to install it and disaster. The steering wheel started turning on its own all the way to the lock and I shut it off. I pulled it out, used it as a core at Autozone and got a reman for 160 bucks.

Real bitch about it is the only thing it needed was pitman shaft seals, they were like ten bucks and I could have changed them with it in the truck. Instead I spent **** load more money, wasted even more time and took a shot to the pride. I learn things the hard way and I hope you get too also.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Hehehe...I MANN that reminds me of a story my Pop told me from his mechanicing career. A brash coworker got a power steering gear rebuild job. He tore it down, put it back together, installed it, fired up the car and the wheels lock left. Pop snickered and walked away. He tried offering advice up front, but brash wouldn't hear it. So brash takes it out, tears it down, puts it back together, reinstalls it, fires up the car and the wheels lock to the right. Now brash is asking questions and it got done right.