Steering Box

[Iceman3005]

Ok guys, I'm new to the site. Have 2 CUCV that I bought last march. My question is my steering box is really getting sloppy on one of them. I have a gear box from a 3/4 ton 79 chevy in the garage, but the truck (the 79 chevy) didn't have hydroboost brakes. Will the gear box from the 3/4 ton work on the CUCV? They both are daily drivers......one for the wife one for me! So I can't take the steering box off the other one, and I don't want to spend any money on a new box, because when I lift it this summer I 'm going cross over steering.

 

[zout]

Welcome aboard Iceman

 

[porkysplace]

The steering box is rhe same ,diesels don't have vaccum to operate the power booster so they the hydraulic system.

 

[Iceman3005]

That's what I was wondering if the box's were different from a vacuum system compared to a hydro system. If box's are same then I should be able to use the box of the vacuum system.....correct?
"porkysplace" looks like your saying there the same box?

 

[dstang97]

I think they are different. Today I tried hooking up a 3/4 non hydro today and they are different. The fittings were different.

 

[porkysplace]

Gm didn't change much on pick-ups, they will swap 2 lines on either box pressure and return .

If worst comes to worst i have a 1 ton box from a truck with the same brake set-up i'll give ya cheap . wheres jonesville?

 

[dstang97]

According to Rock auto they are different.

 

[Iceman3005]

Ok......Thanks guys! I need too get this fixed soon truck starting to wander really bad! I just repalced all 4 tie rod ends in the steering system, had an alignment done 3 months ago, and now this......oh well. I shouldn't complain though for a truck thats 27 years old, with all original parts and only 70,000 miles.

 

[Iceman3005]

Jonesville, MI 49250, I would be interested in that box!

 

[DokWatson]

The boxes are the same, the way the hoses fit are different. GM went to a different style of fitting somewhere in the 80's. Older boxes are 'inverted flare' type fittings, newer ones are o-ring style fittings.

The first thing you should check are loose steering box bolts, then move from the box down and tighten everything. Replace any missing cotter pins. If everything is tight, jack the truck up and push on a wheel, look for play in the tie-rod ends. If the tire moves even a little bit without moving the opposite tire, its too much play. With the tires on the ground, have someone turn the wheel back and forth to see if anything moves without the tires responding. If everything still checks out, replace the box.

 

[Cucvnut]

just flare the fittings on the tubes and they will bolt up

 

[rnd-motorsports]

Or go to local parts house and get the addapters for the lines that will be the dif in the years 3/4 and 1 ton make no dif nor does the hydro or vac brakes! before You change the box you said yours is getting sloppy have you tryed adjusting the gear lash in the box. adjust the gear mesh, which is a screw with a locknut. Get the steering centered (wheels straight ahead), and loosen the locknut. Gradually tighten the adjusting screw in,no more then a 1/4 turn at a time .Then check the steering play by turning the steering wheel back and forth a turn or two...but leave it centered when adjusting. Evenually, you will take up the slack, unless the gears/bushings are really worn, Tighten till the slack is all gone,If all is well, you should feel the steering get just a little bit harder as you pass thru the center of the steering wheel's travel.this will if the box is not completely worn out take up the slack of the worn bushings. worth a try before you change your box!

 

[WARWAG]

Could your King Pins need refreshing? The kit from ORD is $25 bucks and fixes the "Death Wobble". You might want to do it anyway since she has 70K on the odometer.

 

[dstang97]

OK I think rockauto has them listed wrong. I think the boxes should be listed as 85+ and 85- Because I have a 84,85,87,81. So I think Dokwatson is correct.

 

[DokWatson]

Could your King Pins need refreshing? The kit from ORD is $25 bucks and fixes the "Death Wobble". You might want to do it anyway since she has 70K on the odometer.

Death wobble is NOT steering wander. Two completely different things.

 

[Iceman3005]

Oh ya everything is tight. Already checked king pins, wheel bearings, and I have already replaced all the tie rod ends. Can definitely feel and see a lot of slop in gear box, when steering wheel moves so should the pitman arm. When I had the alignment done the mechanic informed of the sloppy gear box, but I already new it was, just hoping it would have lasted a little longer.

 

[DokWatson]

Oh ya everything is tight. Already checked king pins, wheel bearings, and I have already replaced all the tie rod ends. Can definitely feel and see a lot of slop in gear box, when steering wheel moves so should the pitman arm. When I had the alignment done the mechanic informed of the sloppy gear box, but I already new it was, just hoping it would have lasted a little longer.

Sounds like you are good to go for a new box. Bring your old box so you don't have to pay the core charge up front

 

[Iceman3005]

Can't tighten screw on the top of box any more its all the way in already.

 

[porkysplace]

Seeing as CVCU's are basicly the same as a chevy pick-up this website may help in locating used parts;

www.car-part.com

you can search by distance from your zip code or price

 

[Hasdrubal]

I took my M1009 to my friends shop for a wheel alignment. He calls me on my cell, tells me he can't do an alignment because there's too much play in the steering box. Need a new one. Go to Lordco which is a local parts chain much like napa. They have one in stock, something like $500. Check it out, looks correct, all refinished and new looking. Take it to the shop, get another call. This box is a piece of #*^#! It has more play than my original. Had to return it and get one from an outfit called Precision Steering that just does steering boxes.