The power steering gear box on my 1956 Cadillac is leaking badly. It appears to be coming from the pitman shaft end play adjustment screw which I adjusted trying to take the free play out of my steering. The free play is improved but now I have the leakage. Researching for a replacement I found that Lares Corp will rebuild it for $595.99 plus shipping and handling and BAP (BuyAutoParts) will sell a unit that they remanufacture in the USA for $365.10 and that includes shipping to me and core return shipping to them. I have seen some positive comments relative to Lares but have any of you had experience with BAP? The lower cost makes BAP look attractive if their rebuilt units are any good. I am open to any other suggestions. Thank you in advance for your input.
Quote from: RLS on January 05, 2022, 05:50:22 PM
The power steering gear box on my 1956 Cadillac is leaking badly. It appears to be coming from the pitman shaft end play adjustment screw which I adjusted trying to take the free play out of my steering. The free play is improved but now I have the leakage. Researching for a replacement I found that Lares Corp will rebuild it for $595.99 plus shipping and handling and BAP (BuyAutoParts) will sell a unit that they remanufacture in the USA for $365.10 and that includes shipping to me and core return shipping to them. I have seen some positive comments relative to Lares but have any of you had experience with BAP? The lower cost makes BAP look attractive if their rebuilt units are any good.
Richard,
I can't make any comments on either company as I did not use their services since I rebuilt both of my spare and working one. You can do a search here or maybe others can provide their experience with either.
Only think I can tell you is the '56 steering box is a one-year only so you have to be very cognizant on who will be doing yours and if you get a rebuilt one you have to make sure it is for a '56. A few folks here had issues with getting a rebuilt one advertised for '56 but was for the later '57 -58.
Good luck..!
There was a post not long ago about someone from MI (Saginaw) where these were made that is also doing good repair. You can search the posts with the search feature.
I think that's in the end cover, so it just might be simple top end fix, if the other parts aren't worn. There might be a lock nut under that has to be loosen/tightened, so maybe not tight.
If it's very old, the seals will probably start to leak as the "slop" wears them. The needle bearings(Torrington) will go too causing slop. Good bearings = good sealing, bad bearings = bad sealing. Otherwise, pretty bullet proof compared to modern junk.
I do my own, and some times not very effectively. These are much more mechanically complicated than the later tank style and parts harder to obtain. I wouldn't worry about a few bucks when it comes to steering safety. Also, what their warranty and return policy is.
One of the things that comes with experience, if it isn't broke don't fix it. Lots of the undisturbed crud and sludge prevents leaks. But when not functioning it's time to intervene. We had a acronym in safety, TAKE, and the "K" was for knowledge. Get the proper info/diagrams/instructions on your unit before attempting repairs/adjustments. Prevents incidents like this.