Vanning.com logo
Boxdin
Site Navigation


Advertisements
Recent Posts
Crazy mods
by MufflerMan Mike - March 28th 2024 9:38 am
Good day
by SDMickey - March 27th 2024 10:55 pm
Lew Greger
by MufflerMan Mike - March 27th 2024 5:15 pm
1987 G20 Gypsy
by SDMickey - March 25th 2024 9:39 pm
Featured Links


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
1974 Dodge B100 steering box
#669427 August 25th 2014 1:24 pm
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
I
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
I
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
My steering box is broken and the wheel will turn about 4 revolutions before grabbing and moving the wheels. I'm trying to get the steering box out and am having a hell of a time.

I have the bolts loose and the nut off on the spline that connects to the little sway bar. problem is, I don't know if i should pull out my steering shaft or start taking off the arms and linkage to get the box out.

and it turns out that i'm mildly retarded and can't even describe it properly. hopefully pics help!

the bottom of the box where the spline and arms are
[Linked Image]

the top of the box where the steering column/shaft go in
[Linked Image]

Re: 1974 Dodge B100 steering box
Imwastefull #669430 August 25th 2014 2:23 pm
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,107
Likes: 37
Maniac
Offline
Maniac
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,107
Likes: 37
The arm is a press fit onto the bottom of the gearbox. You will need a puller to get the arm off.

The second picture you posted is of the notorious Dodge steering coupler. These often fail and need to be rebuilt. In theory, there is a roll pin or a bolt that passes through the bottm of the coupler that keeps it engaged to the input shaft of the steering gearbox. Again, in theory, by removing the roll pin or the bolt the coupler can be removed from the input shaft. In practice this is a real pisser to accomplish, unless you are lucky. You should rebuild the coupler while you have this all apart.

As far as replacement gearboxes go, you can't beat : http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com

They are in Seatle but ship worldwide.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: 1974 Dodge B100 steering box
Imwastefull #669471 August 25th 2014 8:36 pm
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
I
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
I
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
Fudge. The spline that goes in the pitman arm is pressed in? I though it would just slide out...

This isn't going to be fun.

Re: 1974 Dodge B100 steering box
Imwastefull #669486 August 25th 2014 9:25 pm
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
H
enthusiast
Offline
enthusiast
H
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
They make a special puller to remove the pitman arm from the gearbox. Its official name is "Pitman Arm Puller". Some auto parts stores may loan you one. Do not try to beat it off, etc. You will ruin your front end parts and fail to get it off without the special tool. There should be a roll pin holding the steering coupler on that goes to the steering column. This is removed with a drift (punch) and a hammer. Then you can use a pickle fork or maybe a chisel to pry it away from steering box case. You need to get the coupler EXACTLY back the same way on the splines on reassembly or the roll pin wont go in. Do not drive without this roll pin. It could pull off the steering box and you will lose all steering and die. Make sure front wheels are pointed exactly straight and then center the new steering box on reassembly. Make sure your steering wheel is straight and you should be close to correct for the steering coupler to go on correctly. Check steering coupler to be sure it is tight. If it has rotational play, you should fix it. This could be your problem and not the steering box. Borgeson makes a replacement shaft/coupler for trucks. Im not sure if they make one for vans. Sometimes steering boxes from the parts stores are worn out junk that they put new seals in so they don't leak but they give you sloppy steering. If you don't have power steering and would like to, this would probably be the time to add it. Im not sure what is entailed but you probably just need the power steering box, pump, belt, pump mounting brackets, and hoses.



1992 Chevy G20, 110" wheelbase, Mark III conversion, L31/4L80e swap, Express wiring harness.
Re: 1974 Dodge B100 steering box
Imwastefull #669657 August 27th 2014 1:00 pm
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
I
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
I
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
Man, I can't even get to the pitman puller because i've been whacking on the roll pin for hours to no avail. I've been drenching it in PB blaster and took a torch to it trying to break that pin free.

no luck so far...

Re: 1974 Dodge B100 steering box
Imwastefull #669660 August 27th 2014 1:47 pm
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,107
Likes: 37
Maniac
Offline
Maniac
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,107
Likes: 37
Yep. Are you sure the roll pin isn't a bolt? I have seen both used.

Once you get the roll pin off and the steering column disconnected, you may have an easier time detaching the pittman arm from the drag link and then pulling the pittman arm from the gearbox with the gearbox off the van.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: 1974 Dodge B100 steering box
Imwastefull #669665 August 27th 2014 2:10 pm
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 12
pooh-bah
Offline
pooh-bah
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 12
I'm not positive, but it may be a taper pin. Perhaps Reed knows for sure.

Have you tried pressing it, like with a C-clamp and a 1/4" socket on the opposite side? Heat plus sustained pressure, with the addition of a good solid rap from the side with a mallet might do the trick.


-It's been such a LONG TIME... BlueShift>> 1981 Dodge Ram B250 Custom Sportsman Maxi Van


[Linked Image]

It's what you learn after you know it all, that counts...

Are you living to work, or working to live?

[Linked Image]

Learning from my own mistakes is good, learning from yours would be much better! [Linked Image]
Re: 1974 Dodge B100 steering box
Imwastefull #669672 August 27th 2014 3:10 pm
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 23
O
pooh-bah
Offline
pooh-bah
O
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 23
Also while you have the box out check for the famous Mid-Dodge frame cracks near the bolts to the box. I had mine welded years ago by a mechanic. There used to be a forum on here on this.


1973 Dodge Shorty B-100
1995 Chevy G20 Gladiator

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserve body,
but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and proclaiming

"Wow What a Ride"

Johnny O
"O Vanners" of Connecticut! Since 1982

Re: 1974 Dodge B100 steering box
OVANNER #669678 August 27th 2014 3:49 pm
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
H
enthusiast
Offline
enthusiast
H
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
You need a punch or bolt the same size as the roll pin and it cant be tapered. If it is pointed or tapered it will enter the roll pin and will be trying to expand it as you are trying to drive it out. Been there. Done that. Reed is right. You sometimes see roll pin substituted with a nut and bolt if coupler is installed one tooth off and you cant get roll pin in.



1992 Chevy G20, 110" wheelbase, Mark III conversion, L31/4L80e swap, Express wiring harness.
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Astro, nautic1, Ram4ever 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Donate


Upcoming Events
discovery
Who's Online Now
1 members (MufflerMan Mike), 13 guests, and 9 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
TheDrunkenGunsmith, Jac, LOVclassics, ZenMuffin, Milkman530
12724 Registered Users
Top Posters (30 Days)
SDMickey 130
CatFish 28
frscke1 28
Wedgy 21
Forum Statistics
Forums68
Topics35,747
Posts537,899
Members12,724
Most Online177
May 8th, 2013

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4