Steering Box Help!

[Bob_Spidell]

Looks like I've goofed somehow. I was finishing installing my new Lempert steering wheel on my BN2 and had a problem getting the stator tube back down through the steering box (I think it was catching at the 'stud' on the end plate that the olive gets bolted-up to). Anyway, after no success finagling the tube through the hole I made the idiotic move of pulling the end plate off the steering box. I've done this before to apply some sealant to the plate and shims to stop leaking, but this time the lower bearings and their race fell out. No amount of sworking can get the bearings and race back into the box far enough that the plate can be pulled fully down, even with a 1/32" or so of shim packing; if I pull the bolts down the steering locks up. I've studied the shop (Moss) diagram, and there are matching bearings and race at the upper and lower ends of the box; thinking the upper might have slipped out of place I pulled the top cover off the box, but I don't see anything loose or out of place. No matter how carefully I try to pull the bolts down on the end plate I'm having no luck getting the lower bearing and race into the box. Anybody have any ideas? Been stuck in this predicament before? I've tried moving the wheel from lock-to-lock and centered and everywhere in between, but it seems as if the steering shaft has moved down a 1/16" or more, making it impossible to get the bearing and cup back in sufficiently far. Oh, and I did all the tightening and adjusting of the steering wheel before I pulled the cover off the box so I don't think the installation of the wheel had anything to do with this.

Who can bail me out of this predicament? If I don't get this resolved, my beautiful new steering wheel will be a static display only

 

[Keoke]

Never that problem.
However, try a couple of large "C" clamps and see if you can gently get the bottom plate to close for you while rotating the shaft back and forth.???

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Worth a try. I'm too discouraged today, but will try again tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[red57]

I don't know if this is going to help or not.... I have had similar trouble when assembling a box on the bench. First thing, do NOT simply tighten the bolts to force it back in. You might damage a bearing or ball cage and your troubles will be worse. You are correct that you can't see much with the top cover off since the worm is quite a bit larger diameter than the bearings/shaft.

My bet is that the upper bearing assembly is the problem - either the outer race has slipped down a ways and then cocked in the bore, preventing it from sliding back up where it belongs. Or, probably more likely, the inner race and balls dropped down and the outer race is still in place. It can be a bear to get the inner race and balls fully inserted into the outer race. Because it is currently close to horizontal, the uppermost balls may be falling downward a bit and preventing the assembly to fully seat together. You may have to remove the pitman arm so you can remove the pitman shaft and peg out of the box. Then you can allow the worm to come out of the box far enough to set the bearings and cage in place on the inner race with stiff grease to hold it and then carefully re-insert the worm fully into the box.

Again, if you try to force it, you could damage it. These bearings are like wheel bearings in that the control both side loads and longitudinal loads and the clearance for the balls to go between the races are very small, not needing much to prevent going together. Whatever you do, do not change the shim stack as you will either have a tight box or a loose one when you are done.

With luck someone else has an easier approach but either way, I feel your pain.
Dave

 

[steveg]

You might call David Nock and ask what to do.

Suspect it's going to have to happen on the bench.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Worth a try. I'm too discouraged today, but will try again tomorrow. Thanks.