1956 Saginaw steering gearbox parts needed

[goofyhb]

Hello,

I just got myself into deep trouble.

A friends steering gearbox was leaking badly and I tried to help. I ordered parts and removed the gearbox from the car. I did not want to fully take the gearbox apart. But as the seal is in a separate cap my friend urged me to continue. So I opened the cap. Installed a new seal and a speedi sleeve. I changed a larger o-ring in the cap too but used a thicker one as I had the suspicion that that could have been the real cause for the leak. But after assembly and re-installing the gearbox, it was leaking badly between cap and housing. My thicker o-ring was a failure.
In the process of removing the cap I managed to break a metal ring that looks like a kind of piston ring and is made of steel. I looked everywhere and can't find a source for it.

Can you please point me to a source where I can get this ring?

The original part number is 568 4441.

The parts lists shows:

18.0955 RING. PISTON. STEERING GEAR POWER RACK
1956  568 4441  $1.35  2needed 2 7/8" I.D. 

Axel

Hamburg
Germany

[M. Bankes]

Hi,
I have the whole 18.0950 assembly here out of a '56 steering box, I'll have to check that the metal rings are still good, but I kept it because it was a good piece to have while rebuilding the boxes, so I am sure those rings are good. Please email me and I'll send pictures and we can discuss it
Thanks
Michael
Sales@cadillacville.com

[goofyhb]

Hello Michael,

you won't believe how much luck I had. After a short night I called a friend that had done a frame off during last winter on his 56 Sedan deVille. I asked him if he already had finished the job. He had. I told him what happened and asked if he could help. He said that he installed a rebuilt steering gear because the old one had too much play. I asked if he would give it to me for parts. He agreed. I drove 2 hours and I got it for the core price. Tuesday evening I installed it. It is not leaking and the play is minor.

About the rings I went to a engine rebuilder and we found piston rings with quite the same measures. Just 200 hundreds mm thicker. He will give me the possibility to grind them down with his tools. So I only have to find the correct o-rings to properly seal the box.

Thank you for offering your help. I think years ago I bought a starter for my 55 from you. It was shipped in a 60 Sedan to Germany. I really appreciate that you are helping keeping our beauties running.

Axel