Poll: Play in your Model A Steering

Amount of Steering Wheel Play my Model A has:

  • 0" of Play

    Votes: 9 9.8%

  • 1" - 1.5" of Play

    Votes: 49 53.3%

  • 2 " of Play

    Votes: 19 20.7%

  • More than 2" of Play

    Votes: 16 17.4%
  • Total voters
    92
mshmodela

mshmodela

Well-known member
Les Andrew's Mechanics Handbook VOL I has defined as 2" or more of steering play as excessive. How much does your Model A have?
 
You should add to the poll to inquire to 7 tooth or 2 tooth.

It might make an interesting correlation to what we already suspect about the two systems.

Joe K
 
Joe K said:
You should add to the poll to inquire to 7 tooth or 2 tooth.

It might make an interesting correlation to what we already suspect about the two systems.

Joe K
Click to expand...


One might guess like myself that a 7 tooth sector might have more resolution and therefore one might adjust it to a fine tolerance, i.e. less play on average than a 2 tooth sector? Is that an incorrect assumption?
 
mshmodela said:
One might guess like myself that a 7 tooth sector might have more resolution and therefore one might adjust it to a fine tolerance, i.e. less play on average than a 2 tooth sector? Is that an incorrect assumption?
Click to expand...

Well, a different "ratio" between the front wheels and the steering wheel certainly.

The issue with the 7 tooth is that they can't really be adjusted for wear. What is built in is what you get.

Wear between the sector and worm are not removable - except by replacement with new parts.

Somewhere I saw someone had made an "eccentric" bushing for the sector in housing - which then allowed one to move the 7 tooth sector closer to the worm and thereby eliminate the free play. It had not adjustment for 'equalization" between the two ends. This may be where your resolution takes effect to advantage.

Joe K
 
Well, I've had 6 inches of play due to my worn out 2-tooth steering box for the last 38 years! :p

I slapped on a steering stabilizer 2 years ago to get rid of a bump shimmy and life was good.........

After redoing the stock brakes last month (new everything, WOW, great brakes!) I am now having the steering box rebuilt at Snyders and the entire front end gone through.....;)
 
No more than 3/4 inch on two of my A's and one inch on the other 2. All four steering boxes have been rebuilt. Poll not answered. Wayne
 
I also didn't vote, at 3/4" there is no catagory
Rebuilt 40 years ago, usa sector with needle bearings, probably argentine worm, major adjustment 28 years ago
 
My two tooth Gemmer had about 3 1/2 inches of play until I rebuilt it and now no more than 3/4 inch of play and it seems to steer more easily and much less stress on the driver especially when the wind is gusty across the road.

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