Adjusting Excessive Steering Wheel Play

A

A-Man

Senior Member
Took the Li'l Red (1930 Model A CCPU) on its first out-of-town tour this past weekend. Drove on a highway in need of repair, and drove against a 20-25
mph wind. I was fighting the steering. I observed what I would consider excessive steering wheel "play". Appears I need to make some adjustment(s) to my 2-tooth steering sector. I well realize small narrow tires riding in tire grooves on highways will also cause the vehicle to wonder, however, I need to address the steering "play".

My question, to make the adjustment, should all three(3) adjustments be made, as outlined in Les Andrew's "MODEL A FORD MECHANIC HANDBOOK"? Or, can I just make the "2-Tooth Sector Worm Mesh Adjust" as described in the Steering Adjust section of the book, if the other two adjustments are OK?

Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • 1930 PU Final.jpg
    1930 PU Final.jpg
    73.3 KB · Views: 32
Offhand, I can only think of two adjustments to the two tooth steering. One adjusts the position of the shaft relative to the worm, the other adjusts free play at "end to end" and equalizes the free play at the far ends of turn.

The problem is that adjusting one certainly affects the other. To do the adjustment properly you have to play one against the other meanwhile turning the wheel end to end and finding the closest "fit" at mid-span where things are likely to bind.

Oh yes. There is one more adjustment which is on top and adjusts how closely held the worm is and will still turn. You want this pretty tight but again, not binding. Usually this done BEFORE you put the sector into the box and while the sector housing is removed. This one SHOULDN'T need much adjustment unless your steering has gotten really worn or is damaged. (rollers in the bearings CAN break on impact to the front wheels.)

Were it mine, I would remove the steering wheel entirely from the car and do the adjustment per the service bulletins right on your bench. Yup it's a little more work -but you're more certain of the results. And once you see how the two adjustments interplay, its not that hard.

Plus you get to clean everything up and make it pretty while it is out.

Good luck with this.

Joe K
 
There are four steps to proper adjustment, per the service bulletins, and they must be made in proper sequence. If you don't get it right, you have to start all over again. It's best to do this with the column out of the car, but I've done it in the car by disconnecting the pitman arm.
 
I also would remove the steering column and adjust it by the Service Bulletins. You may have to go over the adjustments a couple times to get it all right. Also be sure the pitman arm bolt is very tight, as well as the frame mounting bolts for the steering box.
 
There are other causes of play in the steering. You should also check that the Pitman arm is tight on the sector shaft, the drag link and tie rod are tight on the ball joints, the king pins are tight and the axle nuts are properly adjusted.

Bob
 
I am not clear as to the four steps for proper adjustments per the service bulletins. After getting your response, I looked at my "Model A Ford Service Bulletins Complete". I am only able to determine three adjustments: 1) end play in worm sector, 2) end play in steering shaft, and 3) proper mesh of sector teeth in worm. What is the fourth I am missing?

Thanks for your response. Also, thanks to all others who responded.
 
When you get done adjusting the steering sector, you might also check the toe-in, not because any of the steering-sector adjustments change the toe-in but because - in my limited experience - incorrect toe-in (or - heaven forbid - toe-out) can exacerbate "wandering."
 
A-Man said:
I am not clear as to the four steps for proper adjustments per the service bulletins. After getting your response, I looked at my "Model A Ford Service Bulletins Complete". I am only able to determine three adjustments: 1) end play in worm sector, 2) end play in steering shaft, and 3) proper mesh of sector teeth in worm. What is the fourth I am missing?

Thanks for your response. Also, thanks to all others who responded.
Click to expand...

worm and sector are two different parts and each has an endplay adjustment
 
All steering related parts should be checked for proper operation before the steering gear is adjusted. Although the gear can be adjusted while still in the frame the process can be accomplished with less frustration and better accuracy on the bench and with the aid of a dial indicator. Each adjustment has an effect on every other adjustment. There is much checking and rechecking until everything is right. I prefer not having the car in the way while I do this. But that's just me.

Chet
 
A-Man said:
Took the Li'l Red (1930 Model A CCPU) on its first out-of-town tour this past weekend. Drove on a highway in need of repair, and drove against a 20-25
mph wind. I was fighting the steering. I observed what I would consider excessive steering wheel "play". Appears I need to make some adjustment(s) to my 2-tooth steering sector. I well realize small narrow tires riding in tire grooves on highways will also cause the vehicle to wonder, however, I need to address the steering "play".

My question, to make the adjustment, should all three(3) adjustments be made, as outlined in Les Andrew's "MODEL A FORD MECHANIC HANDBOOK"? Or, can I just make the "2-Tooth Sector Worm Mesh Adjust" as described in the Steering Adjust section of the book, if the other two adjustments are OK?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
You ask "if the other two adjustments are ok?". That is a big IF. While sector shaft end play is fairly easy to check with the gear in the frame, steering shaft end play isn't. With all the parts that need to be removed and loosened, the gear is almost ready to remove from the vehicle anyway. If this gear has never been rebuilt there is a good possibility that the sector shaft bushings need replaced and maybe the sector shaft also. Got to have it out on the bench for this.
I have heard of a Model A steering gear locking up after the owner/mechanic made some adjustments with the gear mounted in the frame. There are two very critical systems on any vehicle; steering and brakes. I have had both (not on a Model A) fail at two different times with two different vehicles. Not fun in heavy traffic, or any time.

Chet
 
Last edited:
haha gotta wonder if thats the car we have. I understand the steering locked up completely. right now it dumps the oil on the ground overnight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top