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68 B-body steering box removal. Help!

Posted By: Gusteve

68 B-body steering box removal. Help! - 03/18/09 11:50 PM

Hey all,

I'm trying to pull the steering box from my 68 charger. It looked like there were only two bolts holding it in. (1/2 inch 8 point - go figure)

I've got them out but the box refuses to budge. I've pried on it a little with a crow-bar, but before I went nuts with it I thought I'd ask if there is some secret that I'm missing.

Steering column shaft is disconnected, btw. It seems the steering gear housing is acting like its welded to the frame. Unless I'm an idiot and there's a third bolt that I can't find.

Thanks!
Posted By: blownzoom440

Re: 68 B-body steering box removal. Help! - 03/18/09 11:54 PM

yes there is 3 bolts.


Attached picture 5102998-100_1999.jpg
Posted By: tinman68

Re: 68 B-body steering box removal. Help! - 03/18/09 11:57 PM

I just looked at photo's of mine out of the car.
Yes 3 bolts. there's 1 looking down from front of car on left side of box. that's probilly the one.
Posted By: blownzoom440

Re: 68 B-body steering box removal. Help! - 03/19/09 12:02 AM

left side

Attached picture 5103008-100_2000.jpg
Posted By: Gusteve

Re: 68 B-body steering box removal. Help! - 03/19/09 12:35 AM

OK - I am officially an idiot - didn't see the third bolt. (In my defense - the 70 factory manual I'm using didn't show a 3rd bolt either....)

It easily came loose after that. I thought I'd be a smart-butt and drop the box and the pitman arm as a unit, since i'll replace both. It didn't seem to want to come out so I removed the pittman. Still can't get the box out.

It looks like I'll have to drop my headers to get this stupid thing out!!!!! ARRRGGHHHH!

Is that normal!!!????? Last time I did this was on a 70 charger, and I seem to recall it was easy. (but no headers on that car).

Please someone give me a magic answer.....
Posted By: 70sixpkrt

Re: 68 B-body steering box removal. Help! - 03/19/09 12:52 AM

I just replaced mine last month. I had to remove the drivers side header, z-bar, and starter. You might have to turn the wheels side to side to drop the header. It was a PITA. Oh, and make sure the car is jacked up high for clearance for the header to drop.
Posted By: blownzoom440

Re: 68 B-body steering box removal. Help! - 03/19/09 12:57 AM

well what 2 bolts did you take out?
all from 1 side?the pics show both sides 1 bolt on the left and 2 bolts on the right side.yes with headers you have to do some work like stated above.
Posted By: Gusteve

Re: 68 B-body steering box removal. Help! - 03/19/09 01:19 AM

Bolts were all from the same side. The 70 FSM I was using (from my previous car) only showed two, but once I stuck my head way back in the third one was obvious.

Sucks to drop the header. I had to drop the exhaust on the passenger side to get the torsion bar out, and if I have the entire exhaust on both sides dropped I might as well replace it!

One of those "while I'm doing X, I might as well do Y", and then I dump a bunch of cash. But hey, that's how this stuff goes, right?

Thanks for everyone's help.
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