Rebuilding 63 Cutlass power steering gear
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 99
Rebuilding 63 Cutlass power steering gear
I have rescued a power steering gear for my 63 Cutlass from a junkyard
in Oklahoma. Is it possible to just" bolt this thing right in" without having to
send it out to get it rebuilt?.Am currently recirculating fresh power steering
fluid through it using a turkey baster and working the pitman arm back and
forth.Fluid is beginning to come out with less dirt in it,and my thought is
that I can clean it out (not completely) enough to bolt it in and run with it.
I believe that if this gear could sit in your moving,driving classic car for
almost 50 years and be fine,why can't I use this gear? All hoses were
intact and the gear had fluid in it when I got it.
Anyone have an opinion on this?
Russell-t
in Oklahoma. Is it possible to just" bolt this thing right in" without having to
send it out to get it rebuilt?.Am currently recirculating fresh power steering
fluid through it using a turkey baster and working the pitman arm back and
forth.Fluid is beginning to come out with less dirt in it,and my thought is
that I can clean it out (not completely) enough to bolt it in and run with it.
I believe that if this gear could sit in your moving,driving classic car for
almost 50 years and be fine,why can't I use this gear? All hoses were
intact and the gear had fluid in it when I got it.
Anyone have an opinion on this?
Russell-t
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,798
From: Plano, TX
Flushing out the fluid is a good idea. Note what comes out. Water, jellied stuff, bits of metal, sand or such may indicate it's life may be short.
Do you know how many miles were on the car in the yard? If under 100k, it might be okay. Above that, it might be getting sloppy. After 150k, there may be enough play in it to be annoying.
I had mine (with 155k) rebuild and the guy said it sure looked like it served it's time...
If on a tight budget or a daily driver, install now and run with it (and see how it does). Rebuild later as needed. The box is not that difficult to pull - just messy.
Do you know how many miles were on the car in the yard? If under 100k, it might be okay. Above that, it might be getting sloppy. After 150k, there may be enough play in it to be annoying.
I had mine (with 155k) rebuild and the guy said it sure looked like it served it's time...
If on a tight budget or a daily driver, install now and run with it (and see how it does). Rebuild later as needed. The box is not that difficult to pull - just messy.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 99
Rebuilding power steering gear.
Have recycled new power steering fluid through it until it came out ALMOST
clear. Am settling for that. It now has a new coat of por 15 ready to
go in. Am converting over from manual steering and had to get a few other
parts. If anyone else wants to do this, I have parts sources.
Thanks for all of your input on this question. Will post results when car
is finally back together.
Russell-t
clear. Am settling for that. It now has a new coat of por 15 ready to
go in. Am converting over from manual steering and had to get a few other
parts. If anyone else wants to do this, I have parts sources.
Thanks for all of your input on this question. Will post results when car
is finally back together.
Russell-t
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 99
My Cutlass is now back together and back on the road with it's new
power steering working fine. Doesn't leak or make noise of any kind.
I'm amazed that the steering gear still functions after all this time.
The change over was a little bit of work,and quite a few bucks. But
it is worth it.
power steering working fine. Doesn't leak or make noise of any kind.
I'm amazed that the steering gear still functions after all this time.
The change over was a little bit of work,and quite a few bucks. But
it is worth it.
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