i'm in the process of rebuilding some adwest steering boxes. my current D1 is leaking BAD, I had some spare boxes that I decided to tear apart and reseal. Seal kit stc2847, has most of the bits. Both boxes had terrible pitting/scoring on the sector shaft as the lower cap of the upper needle bearing (torrington 2016) was gone and collected in the 1/4 space between the two bearings... essentially tearing them selves apart, and more then likely sending debris into the oil seal at the drop arm (bottom). while some have said torrington 2020 (lower) bearing for both, the 3 boxes i've taken apart are 2020 and one 2016. from what i can gather the shaft length of the sector shaft is about 2 1/2" where the bearings ride. either combination of 2020/2016 would not make up this space always leaving a gap (mostly in between). that's where i'm at now... trying to quarantine in my garage as best as possible! questions for the brain trust...

1) anyone have luck rebuilding?
2) other options for the bearings? I was thinking of using a bronze sleeve bushing.. thoughts?
3) is that "gap" needed between the bearings?