Steeringbox rebuild?

A

akmarty

Member
Have a late 47 tudor sedan that has about 5in. of play in steering and I want to rebuild the steering.The car has all new components(tie rods.panhard bushings,kingpins,draglink). My ?, macs shows lots of parts for this yr.what do I need?17to1 15to1, all shims, gaskets ,sector,worm? This is the only part of the car I haven't gone thru. Any tips or warnings.
Thanks for any help. I have tried adjusting and have no more adjustment.
akmarty:)
 
Have you adjusted the adjusting nut on the top of the box. Make sure the wheels are turned straight.
 
Hard to tell without taking it apart and inspecting the parts. First, have you checked the external adjuster? If that is not the issue, you need to remove it, take it apart and inspect the parts. It may only need the gaskets adjusted, but hard to tell without an internal inspection.
 
You could order the gasket set with the hope that is the only issue (the end adjustment with the gaskets). Then take it apart and see what is going on inside as far as worn out parts goes. You can just order all the parts, but that is expensive! and may not be needed. There is a lot of information about inspecting them and rebuilding them. You could start with the VanPelt information: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_steerngear_adjstmt1937-48.htm
 
I have such limited space(out of the cold) was hoping to order pts first before tying up my shop waiting for them.
 
Not sure how well it would work, but you could remove the housing cover and see how many gaskets are currently in there. Try removing one at a time and see what happens to the play at the wheel. If it decreases and the steering is smooth I would guess that it just needs adjusting (gaskets adjusted).
 
Try turning screw in, turn to right.
Put the wheel in middle 1/2 lock to lock.
Best if no luck remove and check over for bad bearing and worm.
I did mine this year and put it all back together.
Had a engine change put reds headers with limits room.
Last thing was to put steering wheel on come to find out
the worm and shaft were bought together.
The shaft was to short about 1"
Not going to take apart, may bend shift lever down.
My finger are hitting the lever when in first gear.
 
Excess steering wheel play, when all other parts are good or new, is often due to excessive wear of the "sweet spot" on the worn gear due to lack of lubrication over the years. The steering box is subjected to high heat from the position next to the exhaust manifold, which can turn oil to rock. C&G has replacement worm and shaft for your car. Ask for11A-3524-R. $159.50
 
The worm gear is the most common wear deteriorated part. It takes some special tools to replace the worm on the shaft. Exchange shaft & worm assemblies are a good alernative if you don't have a press. The sector roller gear is commonly found excessively worn too as well as the sector shaft bushings. Play in the sector shaft can cause seal failure which makes lubricant retention a problem. With no lubricant, they wear out a lot quicker.

Most worm & sector steering gears, including the Gemmer designs, only have a minimal play area in the center of travel. After the gear is turned off center there is more normal play between the sector and worm gearing. This is to allow one wheel to turn more than the other when cornering. There should be little or no backlash when the gear is centered and as was mentioned previously, this is the only position to make adjustments for play.
 
When turning the wheel take notice if it goes up--down ---movement here points to wormshaft bearing problems(could have other person shake tire left--right and feel if steering wheel goes up-down, --one hand holding wheel from turning, other feeling between wheel and steering collum for up-dowm movement ---play here usuually means wormshaft bearing problems or wear

look at the pitman shaft under the car--sideways movement indicates bushing--sector shaft wear ---any side to side movement that is visible is too much, take out gear assembly, new bushings have to be fitted to the sector (honed or reamed with special reamer (sunnen hone with proper mandrel does best job)

If it is just the sector/roller this can be replaced in the car in most cases
 
If the worm gear needs to be replaced it will take a good size press to get the worm off the shaft then, as rotowrench already said, some special tools to hold the shaft while pressing the new worm in place. This special tooling locks tightly around the upper part of the shaft and prevents the shaft from moving or bending as the worm goes back on. I have done quit a few of these for my own needs and also for other Fordbarners.
It is also possible to replace the rolling gear on the sector. This requires some grinding and welding.
 
Marty
I rebuilt my F1 box last year, new bearings, races etc, did not have to replace worm and sector, but they weren't that bad. I used Vern Tardels book and it's pretty easy. As stated best to tear it down first and see what your dealing with. If you get into it and need help just shoot me an email.
Ralph
 
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