BStone

Had to take the car in for an insurance inspection. The mechanic called me and said that (amongst other minor issues) the steering gear is leaking. On the phone he referred to its as the sector gear.

I confess to being a complete dumba$$ when it comes to steering crap.

The mechanic estimated $550 to reapir the leak.

Is this a big deal to fix in my backyard, should I get the "pros" to do it, or should I just live with the leak.

Thanks as per for the great info.

oldcutlass

Well I don't know what car this is, you can get a complete rebuilt steering box for way less than that. I think $550 is a bit hi!

BStone

Sorry, its a 67 delta 88 with rack and pinion

oldcutlass

Check this out! I used rockauto, but I bet you can go to your local parts house and do the same thing!

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...7%2BOLDSMOBILE

BStone

Ok...but are these the for R&P?

(yes I am that dumb with front ends)

Junkman

In 1967, they weren't using rack and pinion. Has this been converted, or did you make a typo in the year?

RAMBOW

um your 67 does not have a rack and pinion unit in it.
It has a steering gear box.

Call your local autoparts store, they sell remanufatured steering boxes for $150-$300.
Installing it is not that hard at all, very easy to do yourself if you are mechanically inclned.

If not, its about 2-3hours max to install one, so i wouldn't let a shop charge me more than that in hourly rate to R&R one. (edit- that may be what the $500 quote was, cost of a new box or rebuild+ R&R time- in which case it may not be that far off base)

side note- I am doing a steering upgrade for a friends 66... used these guys who are local to me (but do mailorder business too).
http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/
I dropped the box off at lunch yesterday for full redo w/ modern gearing- and they called me at 8am this morning to let me know its done and ready for pickup.

A Basic full rebuild was $235- The Total price for full rebuild & conversion to 12.7:1 ratio and steering increased effort- $286.

I was very impressed with these guys & their shop. Can't wait to install the box on my friends car later this week to try it out.

BStone

Hahaha...like I said I am challenged so thanks fopr the patience!

The mechanic who has my car told me the problem was the steering gear seal. I got thrown off by looking for a "steering gear" seal on the Rock Auto site which talks about R&P

1967 : OLDSMOBILE : 98 : 7.0L 425 cubic inch V8 4BBL OHV : Steering : Rack and Pinion Seal Kit

ACDELCO Part # 36351120 More Info {#19146603}
SEAL KIT,S/GR PINION SHF -; STEERING GEAR SEAL KIT

MDchanic

If the steering gear is otherwise good, and you're not in the mood to "upgrade" to a newer gear ratio, you can probably just change the seal for a whole lot less work and money.

- Eric

copper128

These cars have really slow sloppy steering. If the steering gearbox needs work/replacement anyway, do yourself a favor and get a fast-ratio box from either a later model car or have your original rebuilt with a fast-ratio conversion by someone like www.powersteering.com/

I did finally replaced mine this year and it made a big difference.

EDIT: Some folks will say you can't use a box from a different model because the "internal" stops are not the same. Not a problem because our cars have mechanical stops built into the steering knuckle/spindle assembly. Mid-70's to 1981 Trans Ams use a tight, fast-ratio box that's easy to find used.

oldcutlass

I just disregarded the rack n pinion stuff because I figured you errrrrrd!