1960s 1960 Steering Box Bolts

[gkhashem]

Lucky me, anyone have their steering box bolts back out of the box??

How in the world does this happen?

I am in the process of examining the threads on the box for damage.

The only thing I can think of is someone played with it before and never torque the bolts correctly.

[gkhashem]

Two bolts sheared off at the ends and are still in the steering gear the other was working its way out.

In the process of getting it to mechanics shop, getting new bolts grade 8 but I have been told people have seen the bolts get loose but not to this point where they have been sheared off.

However something looks amiss on the front drivers side wheel like it moved forward an inch or so. I do not see how this could be. Anyone out there have any ideas or have seen this before?


Need to clear out steering gear bolt threads and see if the gear is still able to be bolted back in. What else should I change since I am already in there. Plus an alignment when done. I was thinking the coupler and check out the pitman arm.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Could have been in a crash in the past?

Bruce.

[gkhashem]

Bruce

No signs of that I still think the gear was replaced.

It was quite a pop when I think a bolt let go turning in a parking lot.

[Warren Rauch #4286]

   
 How could this happen?
If you are right and the gear box was replaced, what grade of bolts were used? If only grade 2 were used and maybe low grade lock washers. Then the lock washers fail. The gear box can move. It breaks the heads off the 2 bolts. Then the wiggling of the box could unscrew the third bolt. Do check the grade of the last bolt to see what grade it is.
   Now the front wheel. Check the A-frame bolts!  They may be failing too. And would account for the wheel moving.
    Wasn't 1960 a year that the pitman arms were recalled and replaced? Maybe this car was damaged because of it.

Warren

[gkhashem]

I got the box back on, but my steering wheel is not straight.

It is going from 1:30 to 7:30 o'clock.

It drives OK no vibrations or such in the steering wheel.  I know I should not just remove and re-seat the steering wheel since I remember the turn signal cam has a knub in it and this "fix" would mess that up. I was wondering if a tie rod or something got bent. The steering wheel adjustment seems more off than a normal alignment would handle. The steering wheel must have turned some when putting the coupler back on.

I had it aligned two years ago and before my incident it was straight. When the bolts finally moved the gear box it was quite a pop.

Also some idiot (and most likely a long time ago) spot welded the two lower threaded loop areas to the frame!!!  I supposed they did this as a shortcut to fix a broken bolt?  Then I guess a weld or both broke which increased pressure on tho other bolts causing a bolt to shear off and the last one ready to do the same.
What a stupid fix. I guess it worked for them, knowing a lot of the car history this happened prior to 1982.  But how cheap, stupid and lazy.

[tcom2027]

Very possible a damaged tie rod. It's the most vulnerable and easiest to damage when a wheel hits a curb etc. , Ir's almost like a shear pin protecting the rest of the suspension components. especially if the wheel is turned. You may get lucky and be able to correct the steering wheel  misalignment by adjusting the toe in. 

I re read your last post and you have the box properly mounted now with a new coupler, correct?

Getting back to the original problem:

If I understand correctly you hit or a previous owner hit something and now the steering wheel is misaligned along with a visibly misaligned front wheel, then something in the suspension has been bent and will have to be corrected before you will be able to get it aligned properly.

Is the car in a shop or are you DYIing it? Pictures of the box and offending bolts and welds would help. As I said I am having trouble visualizing what you describe.

I'm not sure I understand which component has been welded. Something on the gear box?

If my understanding off the mark, no need for a response.

tony 

[gkhashem]

No accidents, just the bolts sheared off and the threaded bolt ends are still in the box threads.

Also the welds where on the box and frame where the bolts get attached. The welds broke then I assume that finished off one bolt and was when the thud happened.

Steering wheel off center since I think the guy who put it back on was going solo and the steering wheel column may have got off line a bit when he reattached new box

[tcom2027]

Thanks, I understand. If it doesn't pull to one side or another and there is no feathering of the tires you're good to go.

I'm sure you'll pay attention for an feathering or abnormal front tire wear.


tony

[gkhashem]

Just drove it today, tracks straight.

I just think he should have had some help maybe holding the wheel straight.