Steering gear and column removal

[Chiro]

Hey guys,

About to take the cab off and have a question. The whole front clip is off my '55 first 3100 and cab is ready to lift off with exception of steering gear and column are still in place. Do I have to remove the gear box and column as a unit completely assembled? Or can I disconnect the column at the box by unbolting the four bolts on the flange at the top? If I do that will the whole steering gear assembly come out of the steering box or will it simply just disconnect making removal of the column that much easier? I know most of these older cars had steering boxes that had to be removed as a unit. I am hoping this isn't one of them. This is not really too clear in the shop manual or in the assembly manual.

Andy

 

[Kens 50 PU]

I removed the entire gear box and column as a unit. I'm thinking that if you just remove the four bolts on the flange at the top of the steering box, you can't remove the actual steering column without removing the worm sector along with it.

 

[Chiro]

Yeah, after a little more research that appears to be the way it is. Not too big a deal. Just was wondering if it could have been easier.

Andy

 

[vwnate1]

UNIT !

Taking it apart will most likely kill it .

Whilst it's out os the good time to replace the sector shaft seal , good quality ones are on the shelf of your local GM truck dealer , the correct GM P/N is in the archives...