When trying to check the fluid level/condition in the DPO steering box, it looks like it is full of grease. Any suggestions on how best to flush it out, without complete disassembly? Checking my shop manual, it looks likes it might be a challenge to get all those ball bearings and parts back in their proper order.
Good Question Can't wait for Nate to chime in on this one. He always says, "never put grease in there", but hasn't said what to do if the DPO had done it. Don't take it apart, though. You're right. You'll never get it back together right. Andy
You can take the steering box and column out without loosing your balls. The shop manual has the steps that even I could follow. Once you get it out and on the bench you can clean it out really well (even disassemble if you want) and then put it back in and fill up with the proper fluid. I replaced my bushings when I had it out but, in retro spec, the shaft seal is all I really needed. Just remember, if you take it apart make sure that the hole for the horn wire in on top of the column when you put it back in. Don't ask me how I know it goes both ways. If you follow the shop manual you can have it out and back in on a Saturday, no problem. Gater
Steering Box Service Don't panic ! Just get some thick , flowable gear oil and slowly dribble it in untill it won't take any more then with the front wheels off the ground , gently turn the steering lock to lock , full left then right and back again to mix in the oil , as it mixes in you'll notice the steering getting much easier to turn , add more oil and keep turning back and forth until it won't take any more oil . This is a slow job and you must have the front wheels off the ground . If it begins to drip , use STP or Bardahl etc. pretty much any flowable oil will do fine . Pennrite makes a good lube , comes in a tube . I just re-fill my drippy steering gearbox every month or so and wipe the drips off the frame whenever I take it out to a show & shine . Once it's well lubed and loosey - goosey , you can adjust it by centering the steering then loosen the big locknut on the inner side of the box and put a 90° angle flathead screwdriver in the adjuster , reach the steering wheel and gently rock it back and forth through the loose spot as you gently turn the adjusting screw in , the slack bit should get less and less as the adjuster turns in . if the screw gets stiff and you still have lots of slop , stop and check if the locknut is hitting and binding , if not your box is badly worn , back the adjuster screw off a teensy bit from the resistance point and hold it from turning as you use a box end wrench to snug up the locknut as the adjuster will want to tighten up and that is bad , very bad . There must be ZERO force on the adjuster ! . else the steering may fail catasrophically as it did to one young man who ignored my advice many years ago and lost all control of his '41 going 'round a corner...... He was lucky and didn't kill anyone nor wreck his truck . Taking the box apart isn't wise unless you have a new worm in your hand and new balls too as it's easy to screw up beyond repair . I hope this helped . Used boxes are out there but never pay more than $25.00 for one unless you've tested it before purchase or it's 100 % warranteed and the seller has bunches of good used onesas 75 % of them are worm out from lack of lube .
Scary stuff Steering boxes are damn scary stuff...........until you take one apart and rebuild it, they are pretty straight forward, the shop manual is quite clear and most guys could handle the job in their garage, its one of those scary things that makes you panic when you have to work on it but is not that bad really, bit like a nuclear reactor!
