Chevrolet 70 1969 Series, Shop Manual

Page: 884 / 913

STEERING 9-8
F ig u re 1 6 — F illin g Ball G u id e s
Pre-lubricate all bearings, bushings, oil seals, and moving
parts at assembly with proper lubricants specified in L U ­
B R IC A T IO N (SEC. 0) of this m anual.
ASSEMBLING BALL NUT AND WORM
All Type Steering Gears
1. Place steering w orm shaft assem bly flat on bench.
2. Install w orm ball nut over shaft w orm with ball ret­
urn guide holes in ball nut up. Align grooves in worm
and ball nut by sighting through bottom of ball return
guide holes.
3. Divide total num ber of balls into two clean contain­
ers. Each container should then contain the correct
num ber of balls for one circuit.
4. D rop balls into one of the return guide holes in the
upper circuit of nut. G radually turn shaft away from
that hole while inserting balls. C ontinue until the cir­
cuit is filled from bottom of one hole to bottom of
the other, or until stopped by reaching end of the
shaft w orm (fig. 15).
5. In event balls are stopped by reaching end of shaft
w orm , hold down balls already installed with a rod or
punch in return guide hole (fig. 15). Turn shaft in the
reverse direction a few turns. Filling of the circuit can
then be continued. It m ay be necessary to work shaft
back and forth, holding balls down, first in one hole
and then in the other. This will close up spaces bet­
ween balls, filling the circuit completely and solidly.
6. Lay one-half of the ball guide on bench with groove
up. Place the rem aining balls for the first circuit into
groove of the guide (fig. 16). Close this half of ball
guide with other half. Hold the two halves together
and plug each open end with heavy grease to prevent
balls from dropping out.
7. Push ball return guides with balls, completely into
return holes in ball nut. T ap guide lightly with screw­
driver handle to seat if necessary. This com pletes one
circuit of balls.
8. Fill lower ball circuit in ball nut in sam e m anner as
described for upper ball circuit.
9. Install ball return guide clam p on ball nut, using the
three screw and lock washer assemblies. Tighten
screws securely.
10. T horoughly lubricate ball nut and balls; then test as­
sembly by rotating ball nut on shaft w orm . Do not
rotate ball nut to end of w orm threads as this m ay
dam age ball guides. If m otion of w orm nut is not
free, cause of bind m ust be located and trouble co r­
rected. Bent ball guides m ay restrict ball circuit tra ­
vel.
11. T em porarily tape shaft w orm at both ends of ball nut
to keep nut from running up or dow n; then until
ready to install in gear housing, lay the assem bly flat
on work bench.
NOTE: Procedures for assembling the various
type steering gear assemblies are different from
this point on. Refer to applicable procedures
described under separate headings following
for each type steering gear.
INSTALLATION OF WORM, BALL NUT,
AND BEARING ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY
Type Steering Gear Shown in Figure 1
Only
1. Position w orm thrust bearing ball and separator as­
sem bly in steering gear housing against the bearing
cup.
2.
Remove tape from w orm shaft at each end of the ball
nut. G rip shaft w orm below and above the ball nut to
prevent nut from running to extrem e end of shaft.
3.
Position gear housing in vise or holding fixture so
w orm shaft will be horizontal; then insert steering
shaft assem bly through adjuster assem bly opening in
gear housing.
4.
Install new oil seal in adjuster and cup assembly. Lip
of seal goes tow ard inside of housing.
5.
Install w orm thrust bearing ball and separator assem ­
bly over upper end of w orm shaft.
6. Install cup and adjuster assem bly in gear housing.
T em porarily tighten adjuster assembly until all end
play is removed. Install lock nut over adjuster. Do not
tighten lock nut.
7. Accom plish steps 1 through 10 described later under
“ Installation of Pitm an S haft and Side Cover.”
INSTALLATION OF WORM, BALL NUT,
AND TOP COVER ASSEMBLY
Type Steering Gear Shown in Figure 2 Only
1. Lubricate new w orm seal and press in base of top
cover. Seal should be positioned so that lip of seal
faces tow ard steering gear housing.
2.
Install ball nut upper stop pin in w orm shaft slot.
3.
Press upper thrust bearing cone on w orm shaft, using
bearing installer plates (J-8176).
4.
Install ball nut lower stop pin in slot in w orm shaft.
5.
Press lower thrust bearing cone on w orm shaft, using
bearing installer plates (J-8176).
C HEVROLET SERIES 70-80 H EAVY DUTY TRUCK SH O P M A N U A L