C1 Steering Box Restoration - Restoring The C-1 Steering Gear

These illustrations (courtesy of the 1953-62 Corvette Service Guide, ST-12) show the layout and operation of the gear.

To compensate for leaks, the original lubricant was gradually replaced by chassis grease. A rebuild will restore tolerances and includes a modern sector seal in place of the original packing type.

Once cleaned, bearings can be pressed from the gear housing.

The upper bearing cup is a challenge. A special (rare) G.M. puller removes this tapered bearing cup and the adjuster race. Another technique is to weld a pair of one-inch string beads at opposite faces of the old cup. Carefully confine these beads and heat to the race cup, and do not damage the housing! As the beads cool, the cup collapses slightly and slides loose. Here, a new cup seats snugly with a cup driver tool and hydraulic press.

New needle roller bearing presses into the housing bore. Needle cages must be pressed from the reinforced, square end of the bearing shell. Use a press lube like Sunnen's B-200L Lubricant to protect the housing. Each bearing should rest at its original position. Wipe away lube before packing grease into the bearings.

The new worm is a sturdy replacement design. Available from Corvette Central, Corvette America and other suppliers, the worm shaft and roller kit is a boon for C-1 owners. Many restoration projects depend upon NOS parts. These contemporary parts enable a quality rebuild to factory specifications.

New worm and steering shaft replace the damaged original shaft. The worm-and-roller gears must be a matched set. Replica shaft and roller show quality materials and machining. Cost to repair the damaged original shaft would exceed the price of the entire rebuild kit. C-1 owners should take advantage of current parts availability.

Balance of the kit contains all needed parts for thoroughly rebuilding a C-1 steering gear. Note quality of components. Each wear point is considered. Bearings, column bearing, the cover gasket, sector seal and a new roller assembly address the wear points. A molded draglink seal and pitman arm nut are additional pieces not included in the kit.

Hard parts get glass bead blasted. This cleans, de-burrs and restores surfaces. The original sector shaft is in excellent condition and gets a new roller and bearing assembly. Since the shaft itself is usually in good condition, the kit does not require a shaft. Needle roller bearing in the side cover can be carefully peened inward with a punch. Protect castings when removing or installing bearings.