Low tech tips for mid 50's Buicks Part IV: 1955 Power Steering


Companies that rebuild power steering units provide a good service, but at significant expense. Also it is very expensive to ship those things two ways.

I looked at the service manual and decided that it is not that complicated. All that is needed on a properly functioning unit that is leaking is seals and O-rings. First I checked the usual places: Buick suppliers, Ebay, etc. I even tried to buy the seals from the companies that rebuild and only one would sell the seals...for exactly the cost of a rebuild...I declined. Then I went to some old seal catalogues, measured the shaft and housing size and with the help of a good patient counter man at a local seal/bearing store I located the seals. The O-rings were matched also. I had so much fun building the one from a parts car I rebuilt my original leaking unit. The first unit was from a parts car of unknown condition until I disassembled; the second was my original that was leaking power steering (transmission) fluid into the gear box and overflowing from the filler.

No pictures this time? There is nothing I can add to the illustrations and description in the service manual.

Anyhow below is the brand and seal numbers that I used.

Consolidated seal:
25 x 35 x 7 MM

National seals:
471413
472560N
471466

Match your old O-rings.

Tools: normal shop hand tools and a fish scale.

Willie