Question,, F100 steering box

Patrick L.

Patrick L.

Well-known member
I'm sure this has been discussed before,but, I can't find it.. Rather than rebuild the steering box[2 tooth] I'm thinking seriously about converting to F100.. As I understand it, I think the box needed is from 1952-64[roller worm].. I haven't been able to locate one, if anyone knows where there is one for sale, I'd appreciate it..
 
Also theres a fella in Ohio selling a brand new Model a box, with all the right stuff in side and they work very well. Just installed one for a customer and it was almost as good as my converted F-1 that I did yrs back. Direct bolt in and only need to add lubrication. 330-468-3027 $800.00 and no fitting, just install and drive, almost like power steering
 
Patrick, parts and pieces are getting harder to find. I have one and frankly have some real reservations. It was suppose to have been machined by a top notch machinist here in the area (Tacoma) The thing leaks so bad I had to pop rivet a pan to my splash pan. On the recent Vancouver meet I was fighting the wheel constantly as the front end wanted to swap with the a$$-end especially on a crosswind with semi trucks whizzin by. See if you can drive an "A" with an f-100. I got the guys brochure that's offering his version and it looks very,very nice. Worth looking at.
 
We have a customer that has one of those new boxes. New pitman arm, new drag link kit, no visible play there but has about 4 inches of slop at the steering wheel. He is going to call the people that made it and see if there is an adjustment he missed. I hope it is something simple.
 
Patrick Might as well add my 2 cents. I just put one in my 28 tudor. I bought it from a guy in California. Mel Gross. 721.00 total cost shipping included. I havent driven enough yet because I'm not done with other issues that would make me feel confident that the car is safe and reliable. With the one I have they drill a third mounting hole to secure it to the frame. You have to drill a hole in the frame.This was difficult because there's no room to get a drill in there. I had to use a right angle drill with a short 3/8 bit (a bit cut down) Then it leaked around the ajusting screw. Fixed it with permatex. His contact is Mel Gross 323-728-5712
MelModelA@aol.com Also, might add, you cut off your old mast off your old steering box (if its a 7 tooth) along with the steering shaft and sent it back to him. Joe
 
Hey guys, picture a NEW 56 F100 pickup driving around.
Did they have slop in the steering wheel??
Did they wander the road??
Nope....
Somebody is NOT rebuilding these things right..
There definetly should not be any slop..
They definetly should not leak..
As far as wandering, that is more likely a front end
alignment problem.
 
I've not driven a Model A with the change.. I have driven a couple 33 and 34s that have been converted[ both small and large pitman arm/shafts] and they handle/steer great.. I just can't see taking the time and expense to rebuild the two tooth box if I can find a later roller worm box.. I'd do/make the changes needed..
 
Patrick L. said:
I'm sure this has been discussed before,but, I can't find it.. Rather than rebuild the steering box[2 tooth] I'm thinking seriously about converting to F100.. As I understand it, I think the box needed is from 1952-64[roller worm].. I haven't been able to locate one, if anyone knows where there is one for sale, I'd appreciate it..
Click to expand...
Williams auto parts call 1856 682 3466 ask for Ronnie
 
Patrick L. said:
I'm sure this has been discussed before,but, I can't find it.. Rather than rebuild the steering box[2 tooth] I'm thinking seriously about converting to F100.. As I understand it, I think the box needed is from 1952-64[roller worm].. I haven't been able to locate one, if anyone knows where there is one for sale, I'd appreciate it..
Click to expand...
williams auto parts vinland New Jersey 1856 692 3466 ask for Ronnie
 
I agree with Pete. No leaks. No Play. No wandering. I rebuilt, modiified and installed a F100 Box in my Town Sedan. I drives great and would recomend the modification to anyone that needs it. I have no experience with the new box that is being sold.

On the other hand, I rebuilt the 2 tooth box in my Roadster and installed a Short Pitman Arm and Teflon Steering Kit. It aprocaches the F100 with ease of steering. The main difference between the two is the F100 Box will return the wheel to forward when making a turn. The 2 Tooth does not.

My sons 30 coupe has the original worm, sector and bearings in it. There is no play in it and it steers great. No teflon kit. no short pitman arm .

For my money the 2 tooth box properly restored and adjusted coupled with the short pitman arm and the teflon kit will greatly improve the ease of steering.
 
I'm not making a case against the F100 box. I love them.

But I was driving my coupe the other night marveling at how well it steered and how easy it was to turn the wheel. It wasn't always like that and that was because the balls on the tierods and pitman arms were coated with old dry grease and the box was too low on fluid. On a roadside trip the box got tighter and tighter and I didn't have any lubricant. My only recourse was the grease gun that I had under the seat. I pumped the box full of grease and it's been really smooth. I actually like it with the grease. No leaking problems! Just sharing my experience. I agree that the F100 is superior design, but I also think that if you are wrestling your stock steering box while rolling forward down the street, you have something wrong with one of your steering components.
 
Elrod,

When I bought my car, the steering box had been filled with grease. After checking around, I found out that the "correct" method is to fill it with 600W oil. I left the grease in the box.

As I drove the car, I felt that the steering wasn't as "smooth" or easy as it could be. When I removed the plug (looks like a grease fitting, but isn't), I saw quite a bit of empty space. I filled it with 600W oil so that I have a mixture of grease and oil.

It seems to be O.K. for steering, but I would really like some expert to check it.

I think that what is happening is that the grease moves to the side of the steering box and that oil fills the spaces.

By the way, I saw a similar mixture of grease and oil for the steering box in the book "Tiny Tips" for the Model A.

Marc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top