Steering box question

[londoner]

Looking for some help with putting my series 2 steering box back together. I have attempted this job a few times but the steering column doesn't seem to go down far enough into the box to bolt it up. I think the problem is with the bottom track. Does the track just get pushed into the recess at the bottom of the box or pressed in and then the balls greased into position?

 

[Toyanvil]

Everything should go together by hand. I installed the bearing into the races with grease and then installed the shaft into the box. Here is a link to my series 2 box I rebuilt, that may help.
https://toyanvil.smugmug.com/Sunbeam-build/Sunbeam-Steering-Box/

 

[londoner]

Thanks for the info! Frustrating job!!

 

[Beamin]

It looks like you are attempting to reassemble everything while the box is still attached to the car. Yikes! It just about drove me crazy trying to get things back together with everything on a bench. I can’t even imagine the frustration of trying to put it all back together while constrained by the confines of the engine compartment.

Perhaps one or more of the bearings may have fallen out of the race and is preventing the shaft from seating properly. As Toyanvil mentioned, use lots of grease to hold the bearings in place when inserting the shaft.

 

[londoner]

Yes trying to do it in the car. No engine in place though. Next step may be taking it back out. The lower track that looks like a cup isn't sitting firmly in its recess. I wondered if that should be pressed in place first?? Thanks for the advice!!

 

[jumpinjan]

Does the track just get pushed into the recess at the bottom of the box or pressed in and then the balls greased into position?

Did you remove the bearing race (or track)? How are doing the preload adjustment with the shims?
Jan

 

[londoner]

The rack has been out of the car for years. I was hoping that it would go back as per the workshop manual. I have all the original shims

 

[Toyanvil]

This is the best way to set the preload.

 

[londoner]

I removed the rack and box all together. Never took them apart. I was hoping to put back as is. Trying to save some steps