Manual Steering box
 

I have a manual steering box 5679142, but I'm not sure it is for my 1967 Firebird 400. Anyone know?

ttt

that casting was used on many cars from 67 - 79 including yours. 67-69 had a date code on the little pad on the top to identify julian date and year.

So i think my box is original then. A1167 would be April 26th of 1967 i believe. My car is 06C which is 3rd week of June 67.

I would say it is.

How hard are they to rebuild? Mine is ridiculously sloppy. Kit?

I had a lot of play in my 69 manual box. I ended up just trying the adjusting screw on top of the box -- worked like a champ!

If I crank down on the screw the play goes away. I was thinking about just washing the insides out with gasoline and then pumping in lithium grease? I read somewhere that there are bearings packed in bearing grease. Is that different than the grease on the worm gears?

ttt

Anyone have pictures of how these should be restored/painted?

Here are photos of my restored power steering gearbox if it helps.

I believe it's a special grease. Look in the Overhaul manual.

Info on steering boxes: http://www.camaros.org/suspen.shtml#steer

I found a hotrod article that said 85w-140 and wheel bearing grease for the bearings. Bought a rebuild kit from www.midweststeering.com. RK550.

I am almost done rebuilding the box, but I can't get the brass sleeve out. Any hints?

Got it out. I was able to pound it straight into the box.

The Pitman arm has a greasable joint. Is that replaceable? There seems to have been a rubber seal around it which is 99% gone. If you can replace it, should I do the whole thing or just find a new seal?

Is the power steering box cover aluminum on yours? I think my manual is cast iron so it would be the same color as the case.

Why is the spline copper colored?

What's the secret to loading the ball bearings. They fall out the end. Grr.

Anyone?

Finally figured it out.

I mixed lithium grease and gear oil in the case and it is leaking out of the adjustor end. Are you supposed to put sealer on the threads or is my "slurry" too runny?

Anyone know where to get the grease boot for the pitman arm?

Do I have it painted correctly?

Box paint looks ok, I think the shaft should be a more "silvery" color as it will be steel as opposed to cast iron gray. I dont know what color but it should not be the same color as the box. As for the pitman arm, its just a cheap foam type rubber seal. You get one when buying a new arm, but its just a cheap seal. As long as it keeps the dirt out. Think of it as a 1/4" thick black foam washer.

I think Ames has the little felt type washer for the pitman arm.