50 For Custom steering box

B

Bullerman

Senior Member
Steering is stiff on my 50. Have had the car about two years. It has been like this since I have had it. It's like it doesn't have that much rebound.
I want to check the grease in the steering box but not sure how. It has the steering box screw for adjustment and one other plug on top.
Do I just pull the plug ( if I can get it out) and try and force grease in the box. Anyone tell me what I should do. It may have the original grease in it.
 

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The hexagon plug is the lubrication plug.
If the steering is stiff, it can be a couple of things.
Yes, first check the fluid level. If that's okay, check the adjustment. By the appearance of the screw, I'd guess someone has been tightening it down. Perhaps too tight?

Rebound? If you mean the steering doesn't straighten back out easily after a turn, I'd check the toe-in and well, have the front chassis professionally aligned.
 
That's why I want to free the screw so I can see if it to tight. I am going to jack the car up today and see if it still stiff with the wheels off the ground. I read that if it is still stiff with the wheels off the ground it is probably in the steering box.
I may see if I can take the fill plug out and check the grease.
I had new king pins put in after I got the car by one of the reliable shops here in town. I would hope they did a front end alignment on it. I may need to go back and talk to them.
Got to figure out how to get this sand adjustment loose.
 
Bullerman said:
That's why I want to free the screw so I can see if it to tight. I am going to jack the car up today and see if it still stiff with the wheels off the ground. I read that if it is still stiff with the wheels off the ground it is probably in the steering box.
I may see if I can take the fill plug out and check the grease.
I had new king pins put in after I got the car by one of the reliable shops here in town. I would hope they did a front end alignment on it. I may need to go back and talk to them.
Got to figure out how to get this sand adjustment loose.
Click to expand...

If you have a small cut-off wheel, I'd suggest cutting the groove a bit deeper and using a screwdriver of the proper size.
 
From Van Pelt:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_steerngear_adjstmt_49-51fordcar-pg1.htm

From 50fordcoupleman:
The "adjustment screw" on the top of the unit is NOT for adjusting the steering box. First loosen the nut on the slotted stud on top of the steering box. Unscrew the stud about half a turn. Remember or mark the position of the stud because when finished you need to put the stud back in the original position. Now on the bottom of the box are 4 screws or bolts that hold on the bottom plate. Slightly loosen all 4 but dont remove. Now tap the bottom one way or the other. That bottom plate bolt holes are slotted and allows the plate to be adjusted back and forth. I dont remember which way loosens or tightens up the steering wheel slop. This is a trial and error method of adjusting so a second person helps otherwise it could take several trips under the car. It took me about 10 trips under the car. It only takes minute movement to adjust the wheel. Once satisfied with adjustment, on top of the box, tighten stud back down to original position and tighten the nut. Remember to check oil level in the box
 
Bullerman said:
Steering is stiff on my 50. Have had the car about two years. It has been like this since I have had it. It's like it doesn't have that much rebound.
I want to check the grease in the steering box but not sure how. It has the steering box screw for adjustment and one other plug on top.
Do I just pull the plug ( if I can get it out) and try and force grease in the box. Anyone tell me what I should do. It may have the original grease in it.
Click to expand...
585278
 
I think I got it. Finally got the adjuster screw on top undone. It was good tight. As soon as I loosened it a hair the steering freed up. Guess it was just to tight. It was a hair low on lubricant. I topped if off with 90 weight. Feels much easier to drive down the road.
 
There are some tight clearances in those boxes, 90 W is correct NOT grease. Newc
 
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