db's 1970 DODGE A108 Sportsman van

[db]

I hope so mate, along with new seals. The gears look really good
God knows where I'll get spares from though!

[Blue]

If you have a decent bearing stockist locally, take your bearing and seal and see if they can match them. Very often on these old vehicles the manufacturers would use off the shelf bearings and seals rather than having something special made.

[db]

Hmm, just had a closer look. The races and the gear are cast as one part and pressed onto the shaft.

[db]

Good old Bearing Man (now BML Hayley) came up trumps today
They had a seal for the steering shaft in stock and the cross shaft seal will arrive in the morning.
I can now start rebuilding and I can do the first adjustment which requires adding or removing shims under the worm drive cover.
If the pitting causes a problem, at least I know what it is and that the steering won't suddenly fail. It'll be back on the road and I'll look out for a good used box to rebuild.

[db]

So the steering shaft bearings are preloaded by the work drive cover applying pressure when tightened. You adjust this by adding or removing 'shims'.
My shims are all .01". 4 is too loose, 3 is too tight...

[latil]

Make a paper shim to go in there.

[db]

Thanks Steve that's a good option.
I noticed the cover plate, which is a flat stainless plate, is quite worn on the bearing side. I've reversed it and that seems to have done the trick! I've slid the cross shaft in now so I'll see how it feels once that's bolted up.

[db]

I scotchbrited the greased the shaft- that a long way to slide a seal! Hopefully it's survived. I put a cable tie around the shaft to make it easier to centre the steering.
I reckon it's pretty damn good now I don't have an inch/ pound torque wrench to it's tensioned by hand but all the horrible feel it had has gone. It turns smoothly with a slight but almost uniform resistance.
I can tweak it slightly if necessary with the screw and locknut once it's fully assembled on Dusty. The adjustment required is in tiny increments- like an 1/8 turn makes quite a difference!

[Dave999]

well that sector looks in decent nick.

i guess the problems were just grotty lube and a bit of play....

that red grease is good won't wash off easily with parrafin or degreaser...can't even steam it off properly

is the worm and bearing pressed onto the shaft or just the bearing race?
if both are there are a few later dodge truck worms on ebay but would need to be pressed off their shorter shaft.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-Mopar-19 ... SwUuFWwn0C


and i'd be interested to know if the sector runs in bearings or bushes... just being nosey really top cover looks like a bush

does the adjuster do the same as on the saginaw style boxes? i.e ram the sector into the worm?

there are some long shaft worms on ebay at the mo. but most seem to be for 40s and 50s trucks and desoto cars and look a bit rusty

PS uniform resistance is due to it being a roller sector not the fix teeth mashing through the ballnut like on the other style box.

Dave

[db]

Yes the sector is good mate. The worm gear is good it's just the lower race. It looks like the worm and both inner races are cast, machined and hardened as one, then pressed onto the shaft.
I got a Morris' equivalent of the red grease, lovely stuff!
The shims under the bottom bearing cover preload the worm bearings to 2-5 inch/lb, then as you say Dave, the sector is shoved in and out by the screw/locknut. The sector shaft just rides in machinings in the case and cover, not even bushed.
Considering it looks like something I made with my grinder, it's actually a really clever little design and seems to do the job rather well!

[db]

That truck one on your link looks to have a taper bearing race Dave. How would I find the part number of mine to cross ref?
I have a lead on a used unit in the US, fingers crossed...

[Dave999]

Dodge trucks parts book for 1970 would be the way to find the proper numbers for the parts.

but i haven't seen one on the net

Dave

[Dave999]

Mmmm

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NOS-GENUINE ... Sw5cNYgua8

no idea if that lot would fit BUT....!

Dave

[db]

Believe it or not Rockauto list pin kits!

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dod ... n+set,7340

[db]

Well I'm very pleased to report the steering is loads better. There's still about 10 degrees play in the wheel but it smooth and easier to turn, especially when stationary. I'll re-adjust the screw/ locknut next time I can be bothered jacking the front up as I suspect things have bedded in slightly.

Kingpins next then