Binding steering

chrisabes

Member
Recently purchased a 1928 Phaeton that has been fully restored. The steering (seven tooth ) wheel had about 3ins of free play before the pitman arm moved so decided to carry out a rebuild. I purchased all new components, including steering shaft, steering worm, sector gear and all new bushings. On completing the rebuild, the sector gear is VERY tight against the steering worm resulting in the steering been all but impossible to rotate. If I remove the end housing, it rotates beautifully!! :confused:
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
 
I don't recall seeing shims for the end cap on the 7 tooth being sold by the vendors, so you might need to make your own.
 
The vendors put multiple end cap gaskets in the gasket sets so you can use them similar to using a shim. Not really the best set up in my opinion but it will work.
 
Thanks for your suggestions, here is an update.
The shims under the end plate are there to eliminate end play of the steering shaft, this has not been a problem. On further investigation, I discovered that the steering housing appears to have been "repaired" at some time and is not true. The lower housing bearing was off setting the steering shaft such that the end plate was not going on without forcing the end of the steering shaft to centre.
The problem was resolved by boring out the lower housing bearing so that the end plate can now fit without been forced.
I am aware that this is not an ideal "fix" but it will have to do until I can locate an undamaged 1928 housing.
 
I have several good 7 tooth housings if you need a replacement. I have both the early one without the second grease fitting hole and the later style with the second hole. Rod
 
Thanks for your suggestions, here is an update.
The shims under the end plate are there to eliminate end play of the steering shaft, this has not been a problem. On further investigation, I discovered that the steering housing appears to have been "repaired" at some time and is not true. The lower housing bearing was off setting the steering shaft such that the end plate was not going on without forcing the end of the steering shaft to centre.
The problem was resolved by boring out the lower housing bearing so that the end plate can now fit without been forced.
I am aware that this is not an ideal "fix" but it will have to do until I can locate an undamaged 1928 housing.

Does it have a weld, about 10" > 12", top and bottom?
 
Thanks Rowdy for the offer of a replacement housing. As I am in Australia, I may have to either, establish the fault with the one I have or try and source one in Australia.
Yes, it does have a weld about 12ins from the bottom of the housing. Is this an original weld?
Both the sector gear bushings and the lower housing bosh were replaced, reamed and honed. It would appear that perhaps the lower housing bushing is the cause of the problem I guess it would be ideal if the lower housing bearing could be reamed true to both the housing upper bearing and the end housing bearing?
 
Where in Oz are you Chris? I've done a few RHD 7 tooth's before, including modifying them to replace the lower seal with a chevron seal. I have a heap of extra columns too, and willing to sell one or two. PM me if your interested.
 
Thanks Rowdy for the offer of a replacement housing. As I am in Australia, I may have to either, establish the fault with the one I have or try and source one in Australia.
Yes, it does have a weld about 12ins from the bottom of the housing. Is this an original weld?
Both the sector gear bushings and the lower housing bosh were replaced, reamed and honed. It would appear that perhaps the lower housing bushing is the cause of the problem I guess it would be ideal if the lower housing bearing could be reamed true to both the housing upper bearing and the end housing bearing?

Yep....it's original.
 
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