I have a 1960 Ford F-100 which has been a daily drive for the past five years and now I'm preparing it for another 2000+ mile drive, but the steering box needs a rebuild. The box has a lot of play in it and is very hard to turn. The problem has become worse over time and now I need to fix the problem before the long drive through the mountains. Can anyone recommend a place, that deals with 57-60 steering boxes, to send my steering box for a rebuild? If it's more cost effective, is there a source to purchase a new or already rebuilt steering gear box?

 

I have seen prices on rebuilds. 400-500 +.
Have you check the king pins and all your linkages first?
I just sold a spare box on ebay for 125.00.
You might wanna try the junk yard first.?

 

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</TD><TD width=100>82-70072
</TD><TD width=150>Manual Steering Gear Box
</TD><TD width=100>$395
</TD><TD width=100>$150
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1-2 Business Days
</TD><TD width=100>12 Month
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

Have you tried resetting the thrust adjustment on the box? It's really simple on earlier boxes, and I don't think yours would be much different. Takes about 10 minutes, minimal tools. You should also check the oil level in your box.

 

transam - Classic Performance Parts (classicperform.co) has rebuild kits and a good tech article on rebuilding, and believe you can actually send yours to them to have rebuilt. i am in the process of rebuilding my 58. Their parts prices are reasonable, not sure about their label.

 

NAPA sells the parts necessary to tighten up the gearbox.

I rather doubt the parts will cost much more than 75 bucks.

You need two sector shaft bushings: B7C-3576-A

new sector shaft seal: C7OZ-3591-A (replaces B6A-3591-A)

and housing gasket: 7RC-3581

two steering shaft bearings: 68-3571-A (Industry # 5BC)

and races (one each): B-3552 (Industry #6) & 8A-3553 (Industry #6CE)

That should do it. NAPA can cross these Ford part numbers over to the brands they sell. The Industry #'s are what autoparts stores go by for bearings, races, etc.

These same parts are the only parts replaced in rebuilt gearboxes sold by autoparts stores.

While your truck is a 1960 F100, the steering shaft bearings are the same from 1936 thru 1960, one steering shaft race was used 1932 thru 1960, the other race and the housing gasket are the same from 1948 thru 1960, the seal fits most everything from 1948 thru 1972, the sector shaft bushings from 1957 to 1960.

 

The king pins are surprisingly still tight and I installed a new drag link. All the other steering parts are tight and greased. About a year ago the steering box made a "pop" sound and then it gradually became harder and looser over a year. I haven't tried adjusting the gear lash, but I'm sure the parts inside are trashed by now. I didn't see a thrust adjustment screw on the box, and my factory maintenance manual doesn't detail the procedure. Does anyone have the adjustment procedure and steering wheel drag torque specs? All I really need is to remove the play out of the steering box for the 2000 mile drive. Once I finish the drive, the truck is coming apart for a full frame off restoration.