Steering Box Play

Daves55Sedan said:
STOP. If you car has manual steering, check to see if one of the springs in your drag link is missing or broken. If the spring is missing altogether, that could be a VERY dangerous situation, since the drag link could pop out of the ball-stud through the hole at the end of the slot.
To check; raise both front suspension arms up off the ground as evenly as you can such that the front tires are a little bit off the ground. Block up the front of the frame to avoid the car accidentally falling. Get under the car and watch the pitman arm and drag-link while someone inside the car turns the steering wheel. If the pitman arm moves, but the drag link remains stationary, you have a missing or broken drag-link spring.
I can't imagine any other malady that can cause that much free play at the wheel other than a missing drag-link spring.
There may be more than the spring missing. There should be a spring and ball-stud keeper on both sides of the ball-stud.
If this is the problem, it might be easier to get a complete drag-link ball-stud repair kit part # B2AZ-3533-A. Comes with 2 springs, 2 ball-stud keepers, 2-plungers, the end-cap screw, the dust-cover and ball-stud fibre grease seal.
Click to expand...
Thanks Dave for your response. I will take a look as you described to see if there are other issues. Yes it is manual steering.
 
AR said:
The steering box on my 56 Merc Wagon has been adjusted as far it will go. There is still quite a bit play maybe 6” each way.
Click to expand...

Do you have a 1956 MERC SHOP MANUAL? Everything you need to know is covered in the manual, including the correct method of adjusting the steering box. The DRAG LINK SOCKET has an adjustment feature also.
 
Question HI everybody!

Have the steering box out, it's a 3 worm gear.
Question: How to determine if the worms on both or one side is bad??
 
Jwawhite said:
Question HI everybody!

Have the steering box out, it's a 3 worm gear.

Question: How to determine if the worms on both or one side is bad??
Click to expand...

:confused:

Where the hell have you been?​

Let's start at the beginning. Why did you take the box out?
 
Great to hear from you Kultulz!
I am trying to recover my Man Card.
To start, we've been fortunate to take- was it 4 cruises- in Europe and my Frankenstein has been a door stop in the garage.
I HAD a struggle with Time Left of Life v Money v Laziness.
Laziness and Money won and did I ever pay for it!! I am now in the process of finding a new steering column from just below the steering wheel to the Pitman Arm.
The Worm gear exhibits pitting on both faces for the races.
 
I am now in the process of finding a new steering column from just below the steering wheel to the Pitman Arm.

The Worm gear exhibits pitting on both faces for the races.
Click to expand...

You need a steering shaft and worm gear?

BENDIX non-integral P/S? 1956 FORD 3T SECTOR?

The car has the original deep dish steering wheel?
 
Jwawhite said:
I am now in the process of finding a new steering column from just below the steering wheel to the Pitman Arm.

The Worm gear exhibits pitting on both faces for the races.
Click to expand...

Cause of pitting (lack of and/or incorrect lubricant) discussed in another thread -

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=334832

Cost of new worm gear and shaft -

https://cgfordparts.com/steering-box-worm-shaft-56-passenger-3-tooth-309-b6a-3524-c.html

I think I might send the box off to get rebuilt by a professional shop.
 
Hi Kultulz!

I was also looking at the shaft and worm gear on Ebay. My other problems are the Tube on column was also cut in the process when the Borgeson unit was installed. Talk about a mess..Zip Tie on Brake pedal return spring to hold up Column Shifter also cut up ("Yeah, that's the Ticket" Jon Lovitz comedian). How about some nice old grease on red and white upholstery along with floor carpet?? OMG what an idiot I am some times.....
Ps I tried that Corn Grease, it did not appear to leak out of existing Box and when I opened it up, it was in a syrup like state. You'll remember this car was not put together correctly on rebuild and the pitting was probably from low or no grease?
 
Jwawhite said:
Hi Kultulz!

I was also looking at the shaft and worm gear on Ebay. My other problems are the Tube on column was also cut in the process when the Borgeson unit was installed.
Click to expand...

:eek:​

I did not know you had a BORGESON CONVERSION. Do you have any photos?

... sheesh ...

Why do they do this?

EDIT -

Power steering conversion box for 1952-1964 Full-Size Ford cars. New manufactured modern power steering gearbox with a quick 14:1 ratio and firm modern feel. Steering column modifications required for installation, see product instructions for more info. Will not fit vehicles with 3-speed column shift manual transmission. All Borgeson power steering boxes are assembled and tested in the USA from globally sourced components and have a 3 year warranty.
Click to expand...

https://www.borgeson.com/Power-Steering-Boxes/P-S-Conversion-52-64-Full-Sized-Ford-Cars.html

If this conversion is what you have, most likely you are going to have to buy a new box as it's being a CHI-COM SLOPPY COPY there will likely be no available service parts.
 
Last edited:
I'll get some photos in the near future.
The Box works, it's more firm in turning than the stock set up. The car no longer leaves it's spots. HOWEVER what you don't know you don't know...is the Automatic Column Shift will no longer operate, you need a floor shifter like a Lokar or? to operate the Trans. The "Mechanic" tried but it's really botched up bc of room issues at the Firewall and Pump. I like the column shift and that's one reason I'm reverting back. Will try and sell the pump at a discount with already made up lines in Future.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top