Steering gear box 520

[Ron G]

1968 Datsun 520 Are any of these str. Boxes around? Are they the same on any other year? 

[datzenmike]

Not much to wear out. There is an adjustment for steering wheel play.

 

What's the problem?

[Ron G]

The adjustment is screwed down past the locking nut and you can move the wheel about 5” either direction before the tires turn. 

[wayno]

They are the same thru 1972, they possibly could be the same thru 1977 but I don't know that for sure as I have never parted out a 620.

I cannot remember if your supposed to loosen or tighten that adjustment bolt, probably tighten.

[datzenmike]

I thought the adjuster screwed upwards to snug the lash. Maybe down. Try the other way see what happens.

 

 That ain't right.

 

 520/L521/PL521 and the 620 all look similar

[Ron G]

I’ve been building cars for almost 40 years and every gearbox that I messed with has always been tighten down towards the nut, but I could be wrong, knowing these boxes were another years It might be easier to fine now, thank you for the information

[wakemaniac]

The 520 gearbox on my 68 is really different than the 521 one I have. The 521one looks more similar to the 620. 

 

I put a 620 gearbox + 620 steering column on my 520....I have the same problem ! Will try to adjust the screw going down and see. If not will try my other gearboxes to find the best one before taking the road ! Steering goes 90 degrees before wheel moves...kinda scary lol

Edited August 27, 2020 by wakemaniac

[Charlie69]

You are working with 40/50 year old parts that have a good chance of being rebuild candidates.

Edited August 31, 2020 by Charlie69

[Ron G]

Sure if I can find parts

[datzenmike]

On 8/27/2020 at 5:12 AM, wakemaniac said:

The 520 gearbox on my 68 is really different than the 521 one I have. The 521one looks more similar to the 620. 

 

I put a 620 gearbox + 620 steering column on my 520....I have the same problem ! Will try to adjust the screw going down and see. If not will try my other gearboxes to find the best one before taking the road ! Steering goes 90 degrees before wheel moves...kinda scary lol

 

That could be other wear than the box. How much does the steering wheel turn before the pitman arm moves?

[Ron G]

4/6”

[datzenmike]

Then the rest is accumulated wear from all six the ball joints, the idler arm and possibly the wheel bearing pre load hasn't been set properly. Biggest offender is usually the idler arm.

 

If all six ball joints are worn and loose say, only .0625" each which adds up to .375" about 1/3 of an inch. The steering box ratio is about 20 to one turn of the steering wheel so 0.375 X 20 = 7.5" of play at the wheel. Then there's the idler arm which may have worn bushings and the wheel bearings.

[wakemaniac]

19 hours ago, datzenmike said:

 

That could be other wear than the box. How much does the steering wheel turn before the pitman arm moves?

 

0 ! All new ball joints.

 

I opened the cover of steering box and steered while truck was jacked up . There is a loose between the column gear and the pitman arm gear....I'll recheck tonight maybe i'm off one tooth !! If not...i'll swap gearboxes and see if better ! Thanks !

[Ron G]

If you move the str. Wheel and your pitman arm does not move at the same time it’s in the box. It’s not ball joints and it’s not sway bar or tie rods. 

[datzenmike]

Didn't you say that you could turn the steering wheel 90⁰ with no wheel movement???

[wakemaniac]

48 minutes ago, datzenmike said:

Didn't you say that you could turn the steering wheel 90⁰ with no wheel movement???

 

Oups sorry I wasnt  clear...yes the steering wheel turns almort 90 degrees but the pitman arm moves 0...gears must be worn out in box...I have 2 extra ones that I will try out and see !

 

Thanks !!

[datzenmike]

Steering wheel movement before pitman arm moves is either out of adjustment or box worn out.

 

Movement after pitman arm begins to move but before wheels begin moving are everything else.

 

 

 

 

[Ron G]

On 9/2/2020 at 12:03 PM, datzenmike said:

Steering wheel movement before pitman arm moves is either out of adjustment or box worn out.

 

Movement after pitman arm begins to move but before wheels begin moving are everything else.

 

 

 

 

Thank you Mike, 

[Seeker > 620 KC]

I have (No Co San Diego) a steering column w box i got loose in a big bunch of parts i believe it is 520/521. 

If you’re interested msg me your ph # or email and i can send pics see if it will match yours.