Repair on steering gear box

Big props to you, also, Rock. You probably saved the couple from what could have been a disaster.
I was taught that the best skill a mechanic can have is observation and your discovery of the broken bolt bespeaks that. 'Attaboy!

Thank you.

The owners have noticed the steering getting a little sloppy on their last trip. Thought it was the age of the MH catching up with itself.

This couple is SO GRATEFUL to you all for helping nail down this problem/repair.

They are seniors and don't do the internet/computer thing, so this is my thanks to you from them. All your shared knowledge has most likely helped them avoid what could have been a very serious situation on the road. MH is parked until repaired by a qualified mechanic. I think I have done all I can for them!

Thanks again.
Rock

rockhillmanor wrote:

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"Someone's Been Into The Woodpile"
As evidenced by a washer that could not have gone missing my itself.

I agree.
The broken bolt was one thing but when I saw the washer missing on the other bolt I could not come up with any way a washer could break off!
Which btw the bolt without the washer is not bolted down flush.

Question: Would these bolts being loose and/or compromised affect the steering? And if so what would the symptoms have been?

Yes, a loose steering box will affect steering. The Pitman arm will move from it's original reference and the steering will wander. At certain times, the box may slam back onto the frame and a knock will be heard. Depending on how the steering wheel shaft is supported and the sensitivity of the driver, it may or may not be noticed by the driver. Overall symptoms are similar to having two tie rod ends failing.

You are gonna have to take the box off. As stated it is clear it has already been shade treed before.

Man if you have ever broken off and easy out in a busted off bole, that will be an experience in itself since easy outs are harder than wood peckers lips.

It sounds like you are looking for "projects" I have a bunch on back log.

good luck

The bolts being loose could make it wander a little, but more than anything it would have sloppy steering.

If one wanted to get adverterous, you could pop the pitman arm nut off, pull the pitman arm, remove the two leftover bolts and rotate the box enough to see how the broken bolt hole looks.

The nut is a 1 5/16" and is tight. The pitman takes a special tool to remove.

Removing one of the bolts and comparing it to the broken one will show you how much you will have to deal with if you decided to dig into it.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"Someone's Been Into The Woodpile"
As evidenced by a washer that could not have gone missing my itself.

I agree.
The broken bolt was one thing but when I saw the washer missing on the other bolt I could not come up with any way a washer could break off!
Which btw the bolt without the washer is not bolted down flush.

Question: Would these bolts being loose and/or compromised affect the steering? And if so what would the symptoms have been?

"Someone's Been Into The Woodpile"

As evidenced by a washer that could not have gone missing my itself. IMHO somethings I can live with falling off: Muffler, Insulation, Flex plate cover or splash shield.

But steering that can go Norman Bates isn't something I can endure the threat of.

Time to let a pro, not a mere mechanic but someone who specializes in steering boxes take a look inside and verify that even nastier surprises do not await.

The threaded hole may be drilled exactly to fit a special hardened bolt WITH extra thick HARDENED flat washer. Try to screw in the bolt WITHOUT the thickness of the washer and it may BOTTOM OUT. This allows the box to remain loose on the frame and that is the kiss of death as far as bolt shear is considered. The box moved back and forth and fatigued the bolt.

To make things worse the fool who didn't bother to replace the washer probably tightened the bolt down to the point where it is JAMMED in the threads.

I would use only the factory specified bolt, and let the technician who examines and repairs the problem decide whether or not BLUE LOCKTITE compound would be appropriate.

Time to take it in. I know you want to help and finding a good shop should be the end of it.

pkunk wrote:
What chassis is this? It would be nice to let us know without having to go to another web page just to see if it might apply!

Here's a snip-it of thread link.



1998 Ford E-450 Super Duty 31 ft Class C

I am doing this as a favor for a retired senior couple on the road.

I was backing their MH down a long dirt road for them when I heard a snap. Figured I just ran over something. When I got out to look to see how low a tree branch was and my distance from a ditch before proceeding, is when I noticed up on the highway where I started the decent was a bolt laying in the road. Was it from some other vehicle or theirs?

westend wrote:
If I had a crystal ball, I think it would show that someone has worked on the steering box at one time and might have had a bad time aligning everything to secure it with those bolts.

That would explain the missing washer, the broken bolt, and the galling on two faces of the head of the broken bolt.

You were the one that caught the galling from the picture. I think you and your crystal ball are absolutely dead on right!

Boy you can't get to anything on these van chassis. Open the hood or from underneath you can not see or access anything. I can barely get my hand behind the box let alone a wrench to try and take the nuts off.:R

I can't see how you're going to get a drill and easy-out through the hole and to the shaft of the broken bolt without removing the steering box. That bolt was also a tempered metal so you may have to go to a carbide burr to get a hole into the broken remnant. Hopefully, the remnant will be easy to remove. A left hand drill bit may be a worthwhile purchase for a job like this.

If I had a crystal ball, I think it would show that someone has worked on the steering box at one time and might have had a bad time aligning everything to secure it with those bolts. That would explain the missing washer, the broken bolt, and the galling on two faces of the head of the broken bolt.