Can Rebuilders Reduce Steering Gear Slop?

[jckkys]

A power steering gear rebuilder in Phx. that only works through parts stores, claims they can tighten the feel significantly. I'm told they do this by removing the Schrader Valve, not sure on the spelling. Since I can't talk to them directly, as that's their agreement with the parts store, I don't know if this claim even applies to the OE Saginaw gear. Is this just a sales pitch? Has anyone had some experience with a rebuild that had significantly less slop? If so who did it? The seal on my steering shaft side or input shaft is leaking. I'll have to do something.

 

[73azbronco]

Call Randy at Driven, or call Phoenix Rack and Axle. Between those two, all is known.

 

[Viperwolf1]

There is no Schrader valve in a ps box. You can tighten up a worn box though.

 

[jckkys]

More research is needed. Just went back to Merles Auto Parts to see what more I could learn. They reaffirmed that the rebuilder, named Colin, dramatically tightened up older steering gears with his rebuild. He can also do quick ratios. The 4 to 1 in my '77 is good for me tho.
This time I was told the thimble valve is replaced to change the feel. I'd like to hear from anyone who had Colin rebuild their Saginaw box. Several parts counter guys with old trucks, have used him and they all swear by him. For about $150 and a 3 day turn around, it almost sounds too good, but Merle's has never let me down.

 

[73azbronco]

Go with what you know, let us know!

 

[SteveL]

I depends on what's wore out. If the hard parts such as gears there's not much fixing it. If it soft parts like seals, valves and some adjustment it could be a huge improvement. With the price of a new box $150 sounds worth a shot. A good rebuilder should tell you if it's shot once they get in to it.

 

[broncnaz]

Might want to try Bench works in PHX they do a lot of rebuilds and support the bronco community. I won a gift certificate for a rebuild from them at the Bronco stampede havent used it yet as I usualy do all my own but I have considered sending one off to them to see what i get back. There are ways to tighten it up when dont properly and it usually doesnt involve removing anything. There are supposed to be different sized rollers that are used to tighten up the worm to piston clearances. Do all the shops do this I have no idea. There was talk recently of a place in oregon that does this in its rebuilds. Cant think of the name of the company right now.

 

[needabronco]

There really is no 'magic' in rebuilding a power steering box! All you really need is a 4x4 box and a 4x2 box swap the top half of one to the bottom of the other add in a seal kit, tighten up the worm gear and your done.... It really only takes about 15-30 minutes. This has even been done in the pick and pull yard a few time to save buying two boxes. AND whoever tells you there is a schrader valve in a power steering box should NOT be selling parts!

 

[welndmn]

When you rebuild a box you reset the lash in the gears, that often leads to a "tighter" feel.
Most people who complain about a lot steering slop, have cracked frames, bad tie rods, bad trac bar bushing, ETC.

 

[bknbronco]

if your box is slightly worn you might just need to adjust the worm gear back to factory specs. This is done with the box still in the vehicle and takes about ten minutes.

I have had 2 manual boxes apart and about 10 power boxes apart. There is nothing special in them that cant be done yourself. Seal kits are about $12. There are even vids on youtube that go step by step through the seal replacement process.

I have never heard of a thimble valve or a Schrader valve??? Sounds like someone blowing smoke. the only thing that ever gets replaced is the $12 worth of seals. In fact a Schrader valve is what a common bike tire air valve is called.

 

[scrapman1971]

I've seen gearboxes with bleeder valves but not schrader valves.

 

[patterdale]

Reducing slop should be their first priority.

 

[jckkys]

Well, all this discussion about the ease of rebuilding the Saginaw steering gear, along with the claims that I or my local parts store counter people are dishonest or uninformed, has motivated me to study the '77 Ford truck shop manual. I've rebuilt several engines, a C4, a C6, and dozens of carbs, but I've never had reason to rebuild a power steering gear. An examination of the diagrams it appears the spool valve is what the counter people were talking about. The sector shaft adjustment, thrust preload, and replacement of worn bearings, etc. would definitely tighten the steering. If some redesign of the spool in the rotary valve amounts to an update as they imply, I'm willing to give Colin a try. The other steering gear re-builders are far more expensive, without the shipping costs that I won't have this way. Where a re-builder may have replacement parts like the sector shaft on hand, I don't. When specific hard parts are needed for one build the process of finding and ordering them, slows the process more than I'm willing to take.

 

[bknbronco]

its only money! I don't have any so I don't pay anybody to teach themselves about broncos. I teach myself and get things built cheep and right that way. FYI.....my dad paid $300 for his box to be ported and rebuilt and had to send it back for a second rebuild a few days after installation. My point being is just because they say they have rebuilt a million boxes don't mean they get it right the first time every time. Good luck.