should i rebuild the PS box?

[1971ford]

cool, ill paint mine and make it look pretty then sell it on ebay, then get a Saginaw
do i need a whole new column to match it or could i just get the shaft from it.. if it works that way

[BobbyFord]

The only thing that leaks aside from the hoses is the pitman arm seal and the seal by the steering coupler. I replaced both of mine with the box in the truck.
Rebuilding a saginaw box is not as hard as everybody thinks it is. I've done several when I worked for Jeep with no problems.
Here's a rebuild link from 4-Wheeler magazine...
http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles ... index.html

[willowbilly3]

The beauty of the Bendix is it will bolt right in where a manual box was. With the saggy you need to change a bunch of stuff on the column and that gets a little frustration because there were like 5 different shaft lengths in the 7 years of bumps. I have never been in a bendix but I hear they are a bit tricky to adjust and need a special tool. They also are more prone to leak and overheat I guess.
The first time I rebuilt a Saginaw I mucked it up horribly. I had a problem getting the top apart without the shaft pulling out and all the balls falling. I tried to use parts from 2 different boxes not realing the shimming on the torsion shaft is very sensitive. I ended up with a box that had extreme power assist one direction and very little the other, plus I got a ball down in the case. I could never find a source for those shims so I got a whole different box. As usual my education comes the hard, painful and expensive way. If you do decide to rebuild one, make sure and put those teflon rings in hot water first. They need to stretch right to the point of no return to fit on and then need compressed like piston rings to go in. It might be easy for some people but I never thought it was.

[1971ford]

thanks

so what makes the Saginaw a better box than the Bendix? why do some people buy Bendix's for alot more money when they could get a Saginaw?

[fordman]

the bendix box tends to overheat . it also can leak very easily. but the avantages to a bendix box is for the 61-66 trucks. they have a harder time installing the saginaw boxes in those trucks. for done reason or another. so they used the bendix boxes. also with a bendix box and a fe you don't have to use the power steering engnie perches. and you can use the more easily found longer steering columns in a bumpside. since there is only a 3/4 inch difference between manual and bendix power steering it is also a easy way to upgrade to power steering. with only the swap of the steering box and adding a pump.

[1971ford]

Ive got my Bendix box for sale, but what is a good price to set it at? Used Bendix PS box, cleaned up and stripped to metal ready for paint, a leak, and pitman arm attached.
And when i find a Saginaw box, what year/size bump does it have to come off? Can i just pull the shaft out of my column and shorten it?

[fordman]

shortening your steering shaft in my opinion is dangerous. i would not do it. i would get the shaft from a 69 and up power steering truck. that is the year that should have a power saginaw box in them. as far as asking price on a leaky one. i would start at atleast 50.00 to 75.00 or something like that. check ebay completed listingand see what you find for a better comparison on used prices. i don't remember what a rebuilt one costs. i want to say 275 and up. i could be wrong.

[1971ford]

Thanks.
So i dont have to get a new column, just a shaft from a saginaw equipped truck to stick in my current column?

[fordman]

yes you can swap just the center shafts.

[sideoilerfe]

The beauty of the Bendix is it will bolt right in where a manual box was. ..

There was actually a column used for the Bendix box that was different than the manual box column. It is not a direct bolt in.

[bjde0b]

I am rebuilding my box and I got stuck tonight. I can't get this funny little nut off that retains the worm gear. I removed the set screw. I put a flat head screw driver in the slots for the special tool and gave it a few wacks (wacked the screw driver) but it didn't budge.

Any advice?

Also, I am wanting to rebuild the power steering pump. I can't get the socket head cap screw to break loose. I have it saturated in break fluid hoping that will help. Any help on this would also be appreciated.

Bonus question. The instuctions suck for explaining how to set the gear mesh. They state the following:

Worm bearing preload 2-8 in.lbs. Total meshload over mechanical center 17 in. lbs (max.) total meshload over worm bearing preload 11-13 in lbs. (I included the typos - Germans)

Can anybody give me some better instructions?

[1971ford]

well i sold the Bendix PS box for $60 and the old linkage for $20. so $80. now i just need s steering column shaft, saginaw box and front linkage (installed disc brakes)

[BobbyFord]

Any thoughts on removing the retainer nut with the four grooves?

There is a spanner wrench that fits into two of the grooves, available for rental...