shoe box steering upgrade

bssmnbll

bssmnbll

Member
I have a stock 1950 Mercury Monterey, and it has a lot of steering slop. The idler arm needs replacement for sure, and I have a steering box with 33000 miles on it, and is tighter than the original. I would like to know if anyone has used the upgrade steering that is available. Is it worth doing??
 
Shoe Box sells a complete bolt in set of linkage which, they claim, has better geometry and a modern idler arm for better steering. I just wonder if it is $290 better and easier.
 
I don't know the similarities between Ford and Mercury steering, but the Shoebox site doesn't mention it fitting Mercury.
 
The mid century Mercs didn't share much of anything in the parts & pieces with the Ford cars. They are somewhat similar but not the same. After 1952 the Fords & Mercs started to share a lot of stuff.

I've always been able to find good parts for the 49 thru 51 Mercury cars but they are getting harder to source for NOS stuff. As was already mentioned, a person can jack the front end off the floor and adjust the play out in the steering wheel centered position. If it's notchy in that position, it would likely only need a new worm gear on the end of the shaft. Sector rollers wear too but generally about half as fast as the worm gear. The Mercs steer really nice when they are restored to serviceable specs.
 
Last edited:
Improving the geometry may very well make your car handle better, but if your steering box is loose it will still have "slop". I think I would start by making the steering box right first then maybe try the new steering arms after.........Mak
 
bssmnbll said:
Shoe Box sells a complete bolt in set of linkage which, they claim, has better geometry and a modern idler arm for better steering. I just wonder if it is $290 better and easier.
Click to expand...
I have the same 'bump steer' kit in my Mercury.
If you are planning to rebuild your steering it's the way to go.
It gives you a ball bearing idler arm upgrade plus virtually eliminates the 'bump steer' that is built into the original poorly designed steering geometry.
 
Last edited:
Here are a couple of tips. I hope they will help you.Unless the idler arm shows wear it is probably OK. Check the tie rod ends for wear. When adjusting play in the box go no more than 1/4 turn at a time. Otherwise the box can lock up. I also used STP to top off the box. Now my truck steers like it has power steering.
Good luck
 
I did also put that kit in my ´50 Convertible Ford, great upgrade . Although it was tight fit with flathead oilpan.Don´t know about fitment in Mercury.
 
The shoe box Ford cars had more bump steer that the Mercury cars. The one improvement Ford could have done on the Mercury was the angle and length of the steering arm on the spindles. The rest of the geometry is pretty close. They changed those arms in 1952 for both the Ford and Mercury since they were on the same basic design. In 52 & 53, the rest of it was pretty similar to the older shoe box design but different dimensions for the wider body.

The Mercury drag link and tie rods have been up and down in availability over the years so modern stuff with simple replaceable ends through out couldn't hurt anything. The old screw bearing A-arm suspension bushing design lasted pretty well but ball joints with non-king pin spindles takes less tooling to work on for sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top