Manual steering box removal

BROTHER BUZZ

MEMBER
1966 CHEVROLET NOVA
4.6L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

Ken, Steve, anyone at 2carpros/need information on my car listed above ll model with a 283 engine. How do you pull out the steering gear box? Does it and the shaft come out in one piece as a unit, through the bottom of the car? Or does it disconnect at the box and the shaft comes out at the top with steering wheel? Because at the bottom/under the car, it looks like the exhaust manifold and motor mount are in the way, help me guys. Brotherbuzz

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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 12:21 PM

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,077 POSTS

Hi,

You need to disconnect the steering shaft and the pitman arm. Unbolt the three bolts that hold the gear to the frame and it should come out through the bottom.

Is that what you needed to know?

Joe

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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 1:10 PM

BROTHER BUZZ

MEMBER
31 POSTS

Somewhat yes Joe. So the shaft comes off at the box and stays in the column with the steering wheel, and after you disconnect the pitman arm, just the steering box comes out without the shaft.

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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 4:17 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,077 POSTS

Hi,

Yes, that is correct. Please bear with me. It has been awhile since I worked on one of these. But, there should be what is called a rag joint between the steering column and where it attaches to the gear box. I attached a pic I found online so you can see what it should look similar to. It may be necessary to loosen the steering column to be able to disconnect it from the gear. However, there should be a jam nut on closest to the gear that once loosened will allow you to remove the gear.

Let me know if I can help.

Take care,
Joe

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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 7:26 PM

BROTHER BUZZ

MEMBER
31 POSTS

Thank you Joe for the help. I'll let you know how it turns out, thanks brother buzz. I added a picture of the car. I have been restoring it for about a year, all that's left is the steering box, and some great big tires and rims. But that has to wait, until this world gets healthy again, and I get back to work. All you guys at 2CarPros stay safe and healthy.

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