[wizerd724]

Does anyone know where I can buy replacement steering box for a 1951 Chevy styleline deluxe ?

I can't find anything on web.

I have tight budget and it looked like going to rack and pinion would require new steering wheel column and parts would be like $900. At that point I figured I might as well spend a few grand and go ifs.

So now I'm back at trying to fix my manual steering box and can't find them. All I see online is rebuild kits with no worm gear, etc.

Please help. Any input is appreciated.

[cutnshoot]

I once bought a 1935 Chevy two door standard sedan. Pulling into the driveway at my parent's house the steering box fell apart. One of the bearings just died. I was convinced that I was outta luck on my $35 car, then the next morning a buddy and I went to the local dealer and amazingly the current (about 1968) steering box used the same bearings, so for about $6 I was on the way to being fixed. Later after installing a souped up 327 I bought another steering box at a junk yard for $12. I had to make a few mods so the steering arm would fit and it did. The box I bought at the junk yard was from a 1950 or so Chevy pickup, same box.

[MARTINSR]

What is wrong with your box? If it is simply loose this can often be lessoned by adjusting the box with the lash screw or removing shims from the cover.

Brian

[matt167]

pull drivers front tire. box adjustments are right there. It probably needs the over center adjustment. Most do..


BTW, '51 is IFS, it just uses king pins rather than balljoints so the wheels travel in an Arc, but theres nothing wrong with it

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by matt167

pull drivers front tire. box adjustments are right there. It probably needs the over center adjustment. Most do..


BTW, '51 is IFS, it just uses king pins rather than balljoints so the wheels travel in an Arc, but theres nothing wrong with it

Yep, Corvette used that exact suspension up until 1962. Is it as good as late model stuff, no, but damn good enough for most applications.

Brian

[matt167]

Yup.. Some ( All Deluxe possibly? ) have a sway bar too.. My local carquest had the end links in stock for mine.


I was going to have the front end cut off of a '50 in the junkyard for my Rat rod. Brakes were salvaged by someone else, and I found the 460 I pulled so I didn't take it

[matt167]

The worm gear shouldn't be that bad that it really needs replaced, unless it's catching and you can feel it, which would indicate damaged teeth... Do the over center adjustment and other adjustments as indicated in the 1949-1952 shop manual ( it's online in the old car manual project. just google it ). It should fix it right up..

[MARTINSR]

Yeah honestly I am confused with the thought that you HAVE TO buy a new one. Adjust what you have using the manual and see how it goes.

Brian