steering box rebuild

G

gtdohn

Senior Member
How hard is it to rebuild a steering box in a 1948 f1? Does it have to be removed to do so?
Does anyone have a good one they would let go?
 
How difficult it is to rebuild depends on what parts require replacement. If the worm gear needs to be replaced it is much more involved that if it just requires bearings and gaskets. I believe VanPlet's site has a section on steering box rebuild. It would be very difficult to attempt replace the upper bearing.
 
I have just done one on our 33, a bit of machining involved if you replace the bushes, but for sure not an in car job.
Lawrie
 
If you follow the correct procedures. They are listed in the service manuals, but basically it involves adjusting the shims on the end plate first.
 
Just curious. Not trying to hijack this thread.
QUESTION: Can the 1948 ford steering box be used in a 1940 Ford?
Are parts or entire box interchangeable?
The reason I ask is because I have a 1947 Ford coupe steering column and box that I am saving for future use in my 40 Ford, if needed. Thanks.
 
Have you narrowed it down to the box and not a combination of tie rod ends , kingpins , and wheel bearings ?
 
^ That's a good (and valid) question.

I just did mine in the '48. It was not too bad, but I've done a bunch of Mustang boxes at a place that used to blueprint them...... so it wasn't too intense a job.
Sectors and worms are about an act of congress to get, unless you go repo parts. The rest of the parts are a pretty straightforward acquisition.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264082

gtdohn.... if you need help, ask. I work at a bearing manufacturer here in the US as a sales engineer and have considerable background on the subject.
 
Last edited:
1948F-1Pickup said:
^ That's a good (and valid) question.

I just did mine in the '48. It was not too bad, but I've done a bunch of Mustang boxes at a place that used to blueprint them...... so it wasn't too intense a job.
Sectors and worms are about an act of congress to get, unless you go repo parts. The rest of the parts are a pretty straightforward acquisition.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264082

gtdohn.... if you need help, ask. I work at a bearing manufacturer here in the US as a sales engineer and have considerable background on the subject.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for that. I just might reach out to you. I have never done anything like it before, but I'm not afraid to try things.
I appreciate it.
 
Fordy
I believe they are the same box, 18 to one shaft on the 40 is 49" not sure on the 47,you could cut the shaft down though ,
19Fordy said:
Just curious. Not trying to hijack this thread.
QUESTION: Can the 1948 ford steering box be used in a 1940 Ford?
Are parts or entire box interchangeable?
The reason I ask is because I have a 1947 Ford coupe steering column and box that I am saving for future use in my 40 Ford, if needed. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Check out Rockauto. They will rebuild your own steering box for under $300.00. You send in yours and they rebuild it and return it. the best price around but you have to wait for them to return it. Good in the winter when your not using your car that much.
 
I have rebuilt a couple F1's, and fortunately the worm and sector shafts were good. As said, the bushings, bearings and seals are all readily available. Fred Wilner had them. One box is in the '29 roadster hot rod on 32 rails, so I swapped a '41 p/up shaft into it to use the '40 wheel tapered/keyed mount. I shortened the shaft to position the wheel in the '29 by pressing off the worm, cut the shaft and milled a new woodruff key slot in on the Bridgeport with a woodruff key cutter. Pressing the worm off requires a press, and heat. Pressing it on is tougher because with end of the shaft supported on the floor and pressing the worm on it wants lift the press off the floor unless it lagged down. Freezing the shaft and heating the worm eases the process. The actual rebuild is simple.
 
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