Model A Steering Box Holes: Slotted?

D

DetroitDesign

Junior Member
Hello,

I am building an AV8 roadster starting with a frame, and I wanted to ask if the model a steering box holes are intentionally slightly slotted from the factory? The slot is subtle at at an angle. The slot portion looks very clean so made me think this was a factory feature? Also on my frame the hole is slightly dished in, as if the nuts have a slight bevel base to help seat them? Again, all I have is the frame so that’s why I’m asking. Photos are attached below. Thanks! - Ian
 
DetroitDesign said:
Hello,

I am building an AV8 roadster starting with a frame, and I wanted to ask if the model a steering box holes are intentionally slightly slotted from the factory? The slot is subtle at at an angle. The slot portion looks very clean so made me think this was a factory feature? Also on my frame the hole is slightly dished in, as if the nuts have a slight bevel base to help seat them? Again, all I have is the frame so that’s why I’m asking. Photos are attached below. Thanks! - Ian
Click to expand...

Holes are slotted but not dished.
Bill
 
Here are some photos of how these steering box holes are slotted, is this factory?
993ae24b1d9cf6333fedfa28dc3739f5.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
IMO, that steering box has not been well secured. Those holes should be round and no "dishing" around them. I'd weld ,em up and redrill.
 
Synchro909 said:
That puzzles me. The top end of the column is fixed so I can't see how slotted holes would achieve anything.
Click to expand...

My 28 came with a spacer in the column drop to lower the column about a 1/2 inch. You could loosen the two bolts and lower the column using the spacer and then tighten the bolts.

Bill
 
The steering box has been flopping around. The nuts have worn into the frame. Some chassis are drilled for left and right hand drive, check the holes on the other side. These should be NOS holes unless it is from Argentina.
 
Generally the 28/29 frames have the steering column holes on both sides . The 30/31 only one side depending what market the car was destined for . Very early 1930 frames are drilled both sides my 1930 pickup in UK sits on one .
 
john charlton said:
Generally the 28/29 frames have the steering column holes on both sides . The 30/31 only one side depending what market the car was destined for . Very early 1930 frames are drilled both sides my 1930 pickup in UK sits on one .
Click to expand...

So John, are your unused holes round or oval? I think the holes on my '30 Town Sedan are round. I remember someone on Ford Barn suggesting using aircraft bolts as they have a longer shoulder to fit in the frame?
 
My 29 Coupe had a steering gear which had been "flopping" around also:


1. Someone had used big box bolts which were not hardened.


2. Bolts were grade 2 or ?? and had grooves that went 1/2 way through the bolts.


3. Bolts did not have any shoulders to take up the strain.


4. Some of the repro bolts sold do not have long enough shanks to solve the problem. That is the shanks are not long enough to project past the steering gear housing and then into the frame mounting holes.


5. Aircraft Spruce sells much better hardened bolts with LONGER shanks and self locking nuts that will work better.



The self locking nuts eliminate the major hastle of installing cotter pins with the original setup!


part number AN7-11A


Flat washers AN960-716


Lock nuts AN365-730A


BTW The play in steering wheel went from 3 inches to 1/2 inch after fixing this problem.



I never would have guessed that the small movement of the steering gear would result in that much play.
 
Last edited:
Hi Ruth
The holes are perfectly round and no "dishing" .The frame does flex when driving so I never pull the nuts hard up . If the steering box is hard locked to the frame it can cause the column sheath to crack at the lever ends .
 
Benson said:
Aircraft Spruce sells much better hardened bolts with LONGER shanks and self locking nuts that will work better.

The self locking nuts eliminate the major hastle of installing cotter pins with the original setup!

part number AN7-11A

Flat washers AN960-716

Lock nuts AN365-730A
Click to expand...
Yes, that is it!
 
To transfer and relocate the hole pattern after welding up the worn drivers side mounting I used a piece of cardboard and some sprayed paint from the passenger side to capture the
Correct alignment. Then a drill, die grinder, burring tool, and files. You want a crisp , tight fit IMHO.
 
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