LOWER COUPLING FLANGE ON STEERING GEAR

1957 MANUAL AND POWER GEARS

For start of production on the 1957 Manual and Power Steering Gear Assemblies, the roll pin retaining the lower coupling flange will be hand staked. This production staking will not effect the present service removal procedure of the roll pin. Upon reinstallation of the roll pin in the field, Engineering advises that it be re-staked, using a simple cold chisel. Although to-date no trouble has been encountered with the roll pin coming out, it may be advisable to stake the pin when a 1956 gear is serviced.

 

CORRECT POSITION OF FILTER RETAINER

1957 Power Steering Pump Reservoir

Engineering advises that on the 1957 steering pump it will be possible to have a noisy pump if the filter retainer is not in the correct position. See Fig. 84.

1957 Buick Steering Filter Retainer

1957 Buick Steering Filter Retainer

By not being in the correct position the return oil is allowed to pass into the reservoir before entering the filter. If this is the case, the oil will cause extreme turbulence in the reservoir, thus trapping air and causing a noisy pump.

This trouble can be eliminated by installing the clip retainer firmly in place on the return line pipe that protrudes into the reservoir. The retainer has a “U” slot at one end that snaps over a groove in the return pipe, and if the retainer is not completely installed into the groove, the above turbulent condition will result. If noise is evident in a 1957 pump, it is advisable to observe the oil in the reservoir with the engine running and if undue turbulence is present a check should be made to see if the retainer is properly installed.

 

SEAL KIT CHANGE

1956 Power Steering

Following is a reprint of Special Red Band Service Letter – Dealer No. 217, dated July 16, 1957:

The Engineering Department advises that there has been a change made in the pitman shaft seal and wiper kit, Gr. 6.855 Part 5683796, for 1956 power steering gears. As soon as stock of this kit is exhausted, it will be replaced by kit, Gr. 6.855 Part 5686508. This new kit consists of a new double lip oil seal which replaces the single lip oil seal and the wiper or leather dust seal.

This change was made because it was found that in some cases the leather dust seal would absorb water and cause etching of the pitman shaft in the area of the seal causing leaks.

The service procedure for installing this new kit is the same as outlined on Page 73 of 1956 Abridged Edition of BPS Bulletins with the following exceptions:

  1. When the seal is removed, examine the pitman shaft thoroughly for scoring or etching in the area of the seal. If the shaft is satisfactory, install new seal kit without removing the gear from the car. If the pitman shaft is to be replaced, inspect the pitman shaft bushings for excessive wear when the shaft is removed. If worn excessively, they should be replaced arid may be ordered under Gr. 6.786 Part 5683367.
  2. When installing the new double lip seal make sure the retaining spring around the sealing element is toward the inside of the gear. It is important to place back-up washer between seal and installer so that driving force will be transmitted through washer to seal, preventing possibility of caving in seal with installing tool. After the seal and washer have been installed, care should be taken to see that snap ring is fully seated in housing groove.

In connection with the above changes, we have been notified by our Parts Department that when the stock of pitman shaft, Gr. 6.850 Part 5683379, is exhausted, it will be replaced by pitman shaft Gr. 6.8SD Part 5686453, which will have the new seal supplied with it.

 

POWER STEERING PUMP MANIFOLD BREAKAGE

1957 Model

We have received a few reports of excessive oil leakage at the 1957 Hydraulic steering pump reservoir cover attaching bolt. In addition to the oil leakage, a heavy pump growl could be heard during parking.

The cause of these conditions has been found to be cracked or broken manifolds Gr. 6.635 Part #5683874, as shown in insert Figure 85.

1957 Buick Power Steering Pump Manifold

1957 Buick Power Steering Pump Manifold

The breakage according to Engineering has been caused by over torquing the cover bolt.

Therefore, if any steering pumps are encountered that are losing oil at the cover bolt or are growling during parking, the manifold should be checked and replaced if found to be cracked.

 

TIE ROD INTERFERENCE

Intermediate Rod To Tie Rod Interference On 1957 Power Steering Equipped Cars

We have received reports whereby interference exists at the right outer end of intermediate rod and tie rod on power steering equipped cars. In some cases, the head of the cotter key used to lock the plugs in end of intermediate rod was found to rub against the tie rod. Whenever this condition is found it may be relieved by loosening the idler support arm attaching bolts and positioning the idler arm assembly rearward as far as possible and retightening the bolts, or changing position of the cotter key 45° so that the head of key is at the rearward side of intermediate rod.

The above interference condition has been corrected in production by engineering changes which have increased the clearance between the tie rod and the intermediate rod and have specified that the head of the cotter pin be assembled toward the rear of the car in all cases.

 

PITMAN SHAFT ADJUSTING TOOLS

Due to the difficulty in adjusting the steering gear Pitman shaft on 1957 Models with conventional tools when the gear is in the car, two new tools have been developed for this operation which can be made locally.

1957 Buick Pitman Shaft Adjusting Tools

1957 Buick Pitman Shaft Adjusting Tools

Figure 86 shows the dimensions and means of assembly of the tools. Two pieces of 1/2 inch diameter solid stock (30 in. and 32 in. long) are used in making the .tools. The Allen wrench handle must be bent at the end where the two holes are drilled. See Figure 86. The h.md allows the handle to clear the exhaust manifold and makes it easier to insert the Allen wrench into the adjusting screw. The bend is made at a distance of 2 1/4 inches from the end and is bent in a direction opposite to the 90 degree bend at the other end of the tool. The end of the tool is moved 1/2 in. from its original position. See point “A” on Figure 86. The Allen wrench must be made to the dimensions shown on Figure 86 because of the limited space between the exhaust manifold and steering gear assembly and power steering gear valve body.

NOTE: A good quality Allen wrench must be ground to these dimensions because a hack saw will not cut this hardened metal.

Both of the tools are used simultaneously as shown in Figure 87, thus permitting the lock nut to be loosened and tightened whenever the adjusting screw has been turned to a position providing proper adjustment.

1957 Buick Pitman Shaft

1957 Buick Pitman Shaft

CAUTION: Whenever adjusting a steering gear assembly with these tools, first disconnect the negative battery cable.

 

RECIRCULATING BALL CHANGE

1957 Power Steering Gears

Alternate size balls in the ball nut circuit of the power steering gear have been put into effect as an after job change for 1957. All power steering gears with a date code number (located on the end cover flange) of “154-7” and after have alternate size balls in the ball nut. The alternate balls are different colors, black and plain. The black balls are under sized; the plain balls are precision ground, providing the bearing surface.

The advantage of the alternate size balls is that they will eliminate any stickiness that has been found in a few early production power steering gears. All parts are interchangeable with 1956 and 1957 power steering gears.

When servicing one of the late type power steering gears coded 154-7 or later, the black balls should be left in the gear circuit and only change the eleven (11) plain balls to get the right pre-load.

Since present service stock of the various size balls are packaged 23 in a kit under Gr. 6. 844, the remaining 12 balls should be saved for another job.

The service procedure for assembling the alternate balls in the rack piston and worm assembly is basically the same as the previous procedure. The steps listed below supersede steps 3, 4 and 5 of paragraph 8-16d in the 1957 Buick Chassis Service Manual.

Align the ball return guide holes with the worm groove. Load 16 balls into the ball nut (8 plain balls and 8 black balls) in alternate sequence. Drop the balls into the return guide hole farthest from adapter while slowly rotating the worm counterclockwise to feed the balls through the circuit. See Fig. 8-30 in the 1957 Service Manual. After the balls are completely loaded, one black ball and one plain ball will be visible in the ball nut guide holes.

NOTE: When the ball nut is completely loaded with 16 balls (8 black and 8 plain), enough area in the ball nut guide hole is visible to insert another ball, but under no circumstances should an extra ball be installed.

  1. Fill one-half of the ball return guide with-the remaining 6 balls (3 plain balls and 3 black balls) in alternate sequence. Place the other half of the guide over the balls and plug each end with heavy grease to prevent the balls from falling out when installing the guide into the ball nut.
  2. Insert guide into guide holes of the ball nut so that balls in the guide alternate with balls in the ball nut. Guide should fit loosely. Wrap a strip of tape around the ball nut and guide to prevent the guide from falling out. See Figure 8-31 in the 1957 Service Manual.

 

STEERING WHEEL QUIVER

1957 Models

Numerous cases have been reported of steering wheel quiver while traveling on smooth roads at 50-60 MPH. This condition can usually be corrected to a degree acceptable to an owner by performing the following steps:

  1. Check suspension and steering linkage for loose assembly, and correct as necessary.
  2. Check front wheels for radial and lateral runout and dynamically balance wheel, tire and drum as an assembly. NOTE: This is the most important step.
  3. Check front end alignment to make sure caster is within specifications. (1 3/4″ negative desired both wheels).
  4. Lash steering gear to specifications.

 

POWER STEERING HOSE STRIKING EXHAUST MANIFOLD

Several dealer product reports have been received stating that in many cases the power steering hose is contacting the left exhaust manifold. Engineering has designed a new clip Gr. 6.671 Part #5684148 which will hold the line away from the exhaust manifold as shown in Figure 88.

1957 Buick Power Steering Hose

1957 Buick Power Steering Hose

 

NEW BALL NUT RETAINING SCREW

1957 Power Steering

We have been advised by Engineering that a new style ball nut retaining screw will be used in 1957 after jobs power steering gear.

The new screw has a hex socket and not a screwdriver slot. The piston will be hardened at the screw location and will have two staking slots directly opposite each other. Identification of the new style screw and piston assembly can be seen in Fig. 89.

1957 Buick Ball Nut Retaining Screw

1957 Buick Ball Nut Retaining Screw

To remove the new type screw, first use a punch to raise up the staking in the two slots as shown in Fig. 90. This will reduce the force necessary to remove the screw.

1957 Buick Ball Nut Retaining Screw Assembly

1957 Buick Ball Nut Retaining Screw Assembly

When reassembling, always use a new screw, Gr. 6.841 Part #5685702 on the 1957 after job piston as shown in Fig.89. When installing new screw, tum screw in by “first seating screw tightly, then loosen and finally retighten to 30-35 ft. lbs. as shown in Fig. 91.

1957 Buick Ball Nut Retaining Screw Wrench

1957 Buick Ball Nut Retaining Screw Wrench

Stake screw securely into slots (two places) in piston using tool J-6285 as shown in Fig. 92.

1957 Buick Ball Nut Retaining Screw Tool

1957 Buick Ball Nut Retaining Screw Tool

NOTE: This new type screw, Part #5685702, is not interchangeable with the first type screw, Part #5683582.

 

POWER STEERING SEAL KIT

For 1957 service we will not release a master seal kit as was used in 1956. The five individual seal kits for use in correcting leaks on the 1957 power steering gear are as follows:

1 – 6.855 – 5685355 Pitman Shaft Seal Kit
1 – 6.825 – 5685341 Top Cover-Adapter and Valve Mtg. Seal Kit
1 – 6.524 – 5685096 Worm, Side Cover and Valve Seal Kit
1 – 6.806 – 5684069 Housing, End Plug Seal Kit
1 – 6.822 – 5685372 Nut, Lash Adjuster Seal

Figure 93 shows which seal kit is required to correct leaks in the different areas of the steering gear.

1957 Buick Power Steering Gear Seal Kits

1957 Buick Power Steering Gear Seal Kits