Steering Gear

J

jerry hartley

New member
Aug 26, 1999
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Following earlier advice I will replace the steering gear in my 76
Royale. GMC Parts Book indicates part No. 7817940. What is the
probability that the local NAPA store will be able to get this part and
other parts in the future (I anticipate being a regular customer). I'm
just trying to figure out how much hassle it is going to be to find
parts. Also, any words of wisdom or advice would be appreciated. Jerry.
 
Arch,
What are you waiting for??? You don't need a devine sign to change the
steering box out. Just do it! Honest! $174, a few tools (like the Pitman arm
puller ($10) and crows feet wrenches ($15) which I sent out earlier), couple
of quarts of steering pump fluid (hi temp, thank you) and 3-4 hours of your
time max and your in business. No need to make this a bigger job than it
really is. Not a big project at all and if I can do it, really anyone can.
If not take the parts to a shop and 2 hours @ $40/hr and you're done. You
will be very, very happy with the results, honest! I know I was...

Nate '75GB...Coach currently at the southern revival meetin' (IE. Jim
Bound's in FL) Omaha

>>>>>>>
They probably not have that number. The one that they do have is
#277519. Both NAPA and Auto Zone told me they could get it for
me. I have an account at NAPA so they were the cheapest for me.
Auto Zone's everyday price was only $5 more so they might be
cheaper for other people. The price at NAPA was $174 with a $160
core charge. I was told by my friend at NAPA that this is the steering
gear off of a GMC and Chevy P series chassis built from 76 to 79. I
still want to know if there is a later update on this steering gear.
Duane has said that it is better to adjust the old one as it is a better
gear. I then went to the Chevy and GMC garage and they both told me
they did not adjust them. So I am still just slopping around a little.
Will make that decision another day. Of course you could go for the
$450 Caspro one.

Take Care
Arch 76 GB IL
>>>>>>>
 
As a new GMC owner I appreciate all the advice from others who have been
there, done that. Sometimes this saves a lot of time. Thank you. Jerry.
 
I don't mind fessin' up. I did buy the Caspro unit.
It was presented as an original and NEW GM product of later vintage... and I
will continue to go for a GM original or GM rebuilt whenever I have the
choice/option, based on past experiences.

I don't have it installed yet, so can't report on that part.

I'm also changing the shaft/knuckle when I do the steering box.

Re steering shaft/knuckle.
I lost the name/phone number of the gentleman that is parting out some 3 or
so GMC's.
I'd like to check to see if he has one, if someone could be kind enough to
post name/phonenumber.
Thanks in advance.

Heinz
'76 Transmode
www.bytedesigns.com/gmc

> In a message dated 8/29/99 6:49:27 AM Central Daylight Time, CAD3M

>
> >
> > A few weeks ago when this was being discussed here. Did anyone speak
in
> > favor of the Caspro over the stock unit?
> >
> Chuck
>
> I dont recall anybody saying they had a Caspro unit. Probably nobody
> wants to admit to having spent that kind of money and not seeing
> that much improvement. I honestly just dont remember. I dont save
> all of this stuff. I just take it as it comes. If anybody wants to send
> me a private message I will strip your name from it and post it.
>
> Take Care
> Arch
>
>
 
That's the one... Thanks Emery.

>

>
> so GMC's.
> I'd like to check to see if he has one, if someone could be kind enough to
> post name/phonenumber.
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Heinz >>
>
> Hi Heinz. You might mean Dale from Illinois. 815-485-2462. He advertises
in
> the classified of the Motorhome Marketplace.
>
> Emery Stora
>
>
 
Aha! I've been wondering if they were the same; apparently they are.
Mounting that is.

I'm anxious to have someone try one of the faster ratio boxes in a GMC.
Might go well with a 4-bagger conversion. Back in the 70's when I was foolin
with SS Chevelles a lot, one of the neat mods was to replace the stock
steering gear with one from a WS-6 TransAm. They were much quicker ratio and
thus improved the feel of the Chevelle...gave a lot more feedback through
the wheel.

Another thing to consider is that the gearboxes that spent their lives on
passenger cars had a relatively easy time of it compared to a 12,000 pound
motorhome. I don't recall ever seeing a GM passenger car steering gear that
was worn enough to tell it.

Arch why don't you get a steering gear out of, say, a low mileage Cad or
Olds and try it in yours? Then again you might not be the right guy to try
it first since you don't have a lot of history with yours the way it is.
Maybe the guy (Leigh?) who does the 4-baggers would be the one to try
it...obviously, he's not averse to a bit of experimenting!

I doubt you'd want to go to a ratio as quick as the TransAm because steering
effort might be fatiguing. Might make slow speed maneuvering, as in parking,
difficult. But a passenger car might be a great compromise.

Haven't I seen a couple of guys mention having some dead Toronados laying
around for parts? That might be a good source...somebody try it!

Travis...still looking for my GMC

- -----Original Message-----
From: MTrovao
To: gmcmotorhome
Date: Sunday, August 29, 1999 9:21 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Steering Gear

>Looking for something, didn't find it but found some handouts from a
Western
>States rally. This is about Junk yard Gems and among them I came across
gear
>boxes.
>It says "looks are deceiving... 1 ton CHEV & GMC trucks looks identical on
>the outside, however, internal differences (spool valve)... Don't use long
>term, different gear ratio".
>This handout was prepared by Bob Cook.
>Are we downgrading by buying the NAPA units?
>
>Manny Trovao
>73 Custom/ex-Glacier
>San Jsoe, California
>
 
Manny wrote;

>It says "looks are deceiving... 1 ton CHEV & GMC trucks looks identical on
>the outside, however, internal differences (spool valve)... Don't use long
>term, different gear ratio".
>This handout was prepared by Bob Cook.
>Are we downgrading by buying the NAPA units?

I doubt the NAPA unit is a 'downgrade' per se-

Saginaw steering boxes come in LOTS of different versions, and each is
tailored to the car or truck its going into by assembling a selection of
'standard' interchangeable parts. Typical variances are the torsion bar that
controls the level of boost ( light effort for Cadillac, heavy for Camaro as
example) and fixed or variable ratio ( some boxes space the teeth on the
sector to speed it up on the extremes of travel for easier parking ) and
stops within the box to limit the travel to avoid suspension binding/tire
rub at 'full lock'.

This basic box was new on the 1959 cars as I recall. Cadillac introduced the
variable ratio box in 1966.

There are also a couple basic families of these boxes that all appear quite
similar externally.

Suffice it to say, it is doubtful there are any parts used in the GMC
application that are unique to the MotorHome Chassis. Everything in those
boxes should still be available as a service part from General Motors I'd
imagine, as the parts are doubtless used in other vehicles, although perhaps
not in this combination in one particular box.

There is scope to change different aspects of the box behaviour also if you
like- a harder torsion bar would increase steering effort and 'road feel' a
little if that was desired as example.

Additionally, there are mechanical upgrades or changes possible. The factory
boxes usually use a nylon 'piston ring' type seal on the worm nut/piston.
This seal is a good design, but wears out eventually and causes lack of
assist, especially at low engine speeds due to leakage past it. Steel
interlocking replacements are available and a good upgrade, and are
generally installed in aftermarket boxes and rebuilt units. There is also a
bushing for the pitman shaft in most GM boxes, and a needle bearing
replacement with improved durability is a possible upgrade.

Perhaps someone could post the part numbers or forward them to me, that list
the parts in the GM factory box- I could identify the parts easily from my
resources here, and make a master list for GMC owners.

Really, the boxes have two basic modes of 'failure' requiring disassembly-
severe leaks, either internally or externally, or severe wear of the centre
tooth of the pitman gear and worm nut affecting 'on center' performance. In
the former case, a $25 seal kit will restore operation, in the latter you
need new parts, not rebuilt ones. I do not feel re-machining a worm nut or
pitman gear to be a safe and worthwhile idea. Hopefully the aftermarket
boxes use new parts in this location.

Adjustment of the steering box can be done, but few respond to it, as the
boxes generally stay pretty close to optimum a long time. If you attempt
this, read the manual carefully and familiarise yourself with the
construction of the box before starting. Even a slightly 'too tight' or
'sticky' box puts ENORMOUS strain on the internal parts and should be
avoided.

I would also consider it a very worthwhile idea to replace a power steering
pump and pressure hoses concurrent with box replacement. All the worn metal
from the box and pump is going to be floating around in the system scoring
new seals and surfaces if you don't, regardless of your best efforts to
flush it out. You'll need a pulley puller for the pump- most tool rental
places have them, or they can be bought inexpensively at the jobbers.

Hope this helps-

Brent Covey
 
More info re NAPA Steering Gear - I just received a remanufactured unit.
Markings are:
stamped into body 7802644
Below is stamped * 4 \
Just below and to the right - 241 \

Other side of unit a large raised 4
to the right of the 4 a large raised S in a box
On the base by one of the 4 bolt holes 2 letter stamped, "F" and "J"

All other markings on the cover plate which is painted black:
raised numbers 7812145
a small raised arrow pointing to a gear with a 3 inside then the numbers
255
on a small raised area the numbers 283 B4

I am just about to install this- I hope it's the right gear.
Jerry Hartley

>
> GMCers
>
> OK I need some help here. I have a person who would like to remain
> anonymous. He got stuck for $525 for a steering gear. ...
 
I havn't got to mine yet, but this could very well be one of those instances
where the outside is same, but inside not, a'la Master Cylinder.

I.e. An egg is still an egg, but some taste better than others yet they all
look the same :-)

Will check mine out shortly and post the results.

Heinz.

> >
> > More info re NAPA Steering Gear - I just received a remanufactured
unit.
> > Markings are:
> > stamped into body 7802644
> >
> This is getting good. The NAPA and the expensive one all have the same #
> 7802644 I just went out and checked mine. Its old enough and loose enough
> that I think it is original. Guess what same # 7802644. Can some of you
> tell us what this means? My number may or may be stamped. it is rusted
> enough that it could be. The plot thickens.
>
> Take Care
> Arch
>
>
 
Arch,
I would dearly love to help but my coach is down at Jim Bound's for
complete organ transplant surgery! Sounds like there are quite a few of us
that have done the NAPA box so perhaps someone else will scope out the
numbers.
I was the one that had to find out that Jasper no longer does 455 engines
on Monday. I couldn't have been the last one to get one, I had to be the
first to get cutout. We ordered a Caspro instead (which is complete with
carb, distributor, etc where Jasper was not) but at about $2K more. The
engine looks like it's got alot of goodies compared to Jaspers like aluminum
intake manifold, etc and is bench run for a minimum of 60 min and timed,
then everything is retorqued. Mine should be in-route right now (I hope).
Got a laundry list of 20 things for Jim to do while it's there. Should be a
"like new" antique when I get her back. Now if I could just convince my wife
this was a very wise investment... and that the kids may still goto college
after all!

Nate '75GB(Up on the rack at Jim's GMCcoop) Omaha

>>>>>>
OK I need some help here. I have a person who would like to remain
anonymous. He got stuck for $525 for a steering gear. He sent me a good
description of his gear. Nate please take a look at the NAPA one and
Heinz take a look at the Caspro one and lets see if we can do some
detective work here. Here is his description:

>>>>
 
Lanier,

When we got our steering damper from Wes, we were surprised that
it was fairly cheap (only around $30-$40 IIRC). Is the Gateway one
better? Has Cinnabar raised the price of theirs?

Zak

>In a message dated 8/29/99 8:15:43 AM Central Daylight Time, Gcbr
>writes:
>
> Can you give us a little more info on the NAPA steering damper? I would
> sure like to hear your thoughts after you get the new steering gear on.
> >>
>Arch
>NAPA Steering damper too big - ended up ordering from Gateway @ $70 +/-....It
>fits.
>Afraid of steering gear with questions raised here about stops - have not
>picked it up.
>Lanier
 
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