Steering box rocker shaft needle bearing replacement

[Tim]

I do have questions about the Bearing needles in the rocker shaft of the steering box. I believe my steering box is referred to as type A. I was replacing the various O-rings and seals in my steering box when it tipped over and the Pivot ball stud came out of the rocker shaft and I ended up with needle bearings loose in my steering box.

From looking at a scehmatic and as far as I can tell from my parts. I would assume the needles go into the top of the Rocker shaft. I can see from looking at the insides of the top part that there is a sleeve that slides up and down in the chamber (is this what they mean by bearing inner race) . This Chamber is caped off with what appears to be the threaded plug. It does not look like it was intended to be taken out. There appear to be 4 indentations --one at each end of the screw driver slots- that appear to obstruct the taking out the plug ( I assume this is done so it will not back itself out). Am I correct in my assessment? I am sure you can see where I am leading. How do I replace the needles? Where do the needles go in the rocker shaft? What is the relationship of the sleeve that slides up and down in the chamber in relationship to the needle bearings. I am not so sure that I have identified the part "cover needle bearings". Do I need to take out this screw plug? Is it possible to take this plug out without messing it up? Mine certainly appears to be in very tight, and I can envision stripping out the screwdriver slots. Can I replace the needles without taking out this plug. I am sure there is a trick to doing all of this. I hope you are familiar with what I am talking about. I am just learning about this stuff. I was warned that restoring this roadster would be difficult, but I had no idea how time consuming it would be. Can you clue me in? Maybe you are aware of an article that goes into detail on this procedure? I have not seen it addressed anywhere on this web site?

Thanks
Tim Dvorak,

[S Allen]

As I stated privately-my brother just did this. He is looking at responding but wants to get his facts straight. He lost a couple of the needle bearings and ordered replacements from Ralleye. Do you have a Clymers repair manual? That is what he used to complete the job.

Steve

[68datroad]

Tim,First and foremost I must commend my brother for the excellant website and to all the members who post here.I have used alot of info over the last 2 years in restoring my 68.Finally back on the road.I didn't remove the plug you are talking about.I used a small pick and removed the needle bearings.Lost a couple and got new ones from Ralley along with my rebuild kit.Put a small amount of grease on them as you put them back in place.After I got them all installed I put the pin back in and held it in with tape before final assembly.Didn't want to go thru losing needles again.I have an original repair manual and I could email you the pic if you like.Hope this helps.

[Tim]

Hi dallen,

Thanks for getting back me, I appreciate the information. I figured out where the needle bearings go and was able to get it back together. I apparently messed up the bottom seal to the rocker shaft in putting it in, because it now appears to be leaking out of the bottom. I hope I am wrong, I really do not want to take it all apart again just to replace the bottom seal. Not so much a costly mistake, but a lot of hard work. I suppose you live an learn. Thanks for getting back to me. I am just learning about this stuff. I suppose you can learn the easy way or hard way. I apparently am learning the hard way. Do you have any suggestions for getting the steering arm off the roacker shaft with out going to all of the trouble of pulling the box out of the car? There does not appear to be enough space to get an edmunds puller on the steering arm, without taking it all apart.

[68datroad]

Glad to be of assistance.I had my gearbox out when I removed the idler.Had to take a 2 jaw puller and grind down jaws to fit.Not an easy one to get off.It isn't any more fun to get box back in with idler but it did go.Good luck and Happy Roadstering.

[Tim]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the help. I will figure something out.

Tim