1955mercury
Junior Member
is the 56 steering box better than the 55, have complete unit is it worth the effort ?
1955 ,56 mercury steering box
- Thread starter 1955mercury
- Start date
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
On the Fords (I believe Mercs had same gearbox, both years) the '55 had a two-tooth roller gear, whereas the '56 had a three-tooth roller gear. Both had same worm gear on the shaft.
I have had both and could never tell any substantial difference, although, the three-tooth gear would be longer-wearing than the two-tooth gear. But if you can keep 90W in the box, that shouldnt be an issue.
I say, NOT worth changing the '55 box to a '56 box.
The bad thing about the box is the center-tube that houses the horn-wire and keeps it dry. If that tube cracks at the base, you lose your 90W and the tube fills with 90w soaking your wire. Its real hard to fix that.
I have had both and could never tell any substantial difference, although, the three-tooth gear would be longer-wearing than the two-tooth gear. But if you can keep 90W in the box, that shouldnt be an issue.
I say, NOT worth changing the '55 box to a '56 box.
The bad thing about the box is the center-tube that houses the horn-wire and keeps it dry. If that tube cracks at the base, you lose your 90W and the tube fills with 90w soaking your wire. Its real hard to fix that.
1955mercury
Junior Member
For some reason i thought the 56 had roller bearings and would steer a little easier,there's nothing wrong with my 55 box,thanks for the replies!
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
Both 55 and 56 had identical bearing setups. Each had needle bearings on the sector shaft and worm gear had tapered roller bearing assemblies at front and back. If you are rebuilding a box, be careful to use all the original thickness bearing pre-load gaskets at the rear and double check the bearing pre-load per specifications.