Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth

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LeRoiGross

Member
I am overhauling the steering column on my 1929 Phaeton. The sector plate at the top of the shaft housing where the spark and throttle arms ride is worn almost smooth so the control arms won't stay put as the car vibrates. Is this sector plate replaceable? None of the parts catalogs show it as a separate item. If I can't replace it, can I repair it by building up or filing down the serrated surface? Any suggestions?
Also the threads on my shaft are in poor condition. Do the thread repair kits work and do I need a machine shop to do the work?
 
Look close at the bottom of the spark and gas rods,..are they still round or flattened from
wear? I've welded them up to make them round again..
 
LeRoiGross said:
I am overhauling the steering column on my 1929 Phaeton. The sector plate at the top of the shaft housing where the spark and throttle arms ride is worn almost smooth so the control arms won't stay put as the car vibrates. Is this sector plate replaceable? None of the parts catalogs show it as a separate item. If I can't replace it, can I repair it by building up or filing down the serrated surface? Any suggestions?
Also the threads on my shaft are in poor condition. Do the thread repair kits work and do I need a machine shop to do the work?
Click to expand...

Filing and/or welding up is the only option at present. I've contacted some A vendors which have expressed little demand and interest currently. Also, I've contacted some 3d printing and stamping companies but haven't had much success due to the expensive setup charges.. Perhaps someone knows a company that can tackle a small job and reproduce the 2 quadrant plates initially in minimum quantities based on a required CAD dwg.
 
I had that problem with my roadster. I got new arms as they were worn not only smooth but dished,and then just used a 3 corner file and deepened the grooves on the plate, then painted. Works great.
 
I have heard of a successful fix involving filing the sector grooves with a triangle file and then the additional step of welding a BB to the bottom of the spark/ throttle lever.
The owner reported good operational results with this method; might be worth a try.
Let us know what works out for you.
 
Keep in mind that you can grab the rods and pull them toward you to get to the rubbing surface. They are just spring loaded at the bottom.
 
I drilled a small indent in mine and glued a B B in it.Three corner file and all is well RAY
 
I built up the ridges by TIG welding just the top edges. Then some hand filing with a three corner file being careful not to file any deeper in the valleys than original depth. I didn't want to make the metal any thinner than necessary. Very tedious but gratifying to see the results.
 

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On your threads, unless they are completely stripped, you should be okay. The nut only has to be snug so it won’t turn. The only load on that joint is you pulling on the wheel and that is a bending load, not an axial load.
 
While filing the grooves on my sector plates, I found the control arms were riding on the inside heel of the grooved area. So I put a crescent wrench on the outer edge of the plate and lifted it slightly. Now the arm hits on the grooves. Problem solved?
As far as the broken thread on my steering shaft I found that with the steering wheel removed I can get three turns on the nut. With the wheel installed I can get 2 turns. So I think I can live with 2 turns and some thread lock.
By the way, Macs offers a thread repair tool in their catalog, but now they tell me it is no longer available.
 
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