140 series steering box

Greetings;

The steering box in my '72 145 is worn pretty badly (the steering
wheel has about 2" of play at the rim) with the adjustment tightened
as much as possible, and is leaking. This isn't good, particularly
at Interstate speeds.

Does anybody know of a source for new/rebuilt units, or have a good
used one laying around? I presume it'd be interchangeable between all
models of 140 series, and possibly 160 series, but North Alabama is
short on donor cars of those types.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.


Gary

 

I'd get under the front of the car first and make sure it isn't anything
else in the steering linkage. The idler arm bushing on my 142 was pretty
much gone and as a result my steering wheel had about as much play as you
describe (even with the adjustment on top of the steering box tightened).

 

The tie rods, center rod, upper and lowe ball joints, and all front end
bushings were replaced about 7 months ago. The loose steering was a
problem before then, and the leaking indicates it's the box. Particularly
when I can open the hood and rotate the input shaft by hand and see the
output arm not moving.


Gary