Looking for pictures of Franklin steering boxes that were generally used for center steering on early sprint cars. What year boxes were normally used? Is one year better than another. Thanks
Popular lore has it that when Franklin went out of business after the 1934 model, there were many parts in inventory-including steering gears. These gears were adopted by the speed fraternity and were used in many, if not most, race cars of the thirties.
They were the steering boxes of choise back in the day, most were from 1920 era Franklins. This one is stone stock right out of a parts car, They would weld a piece of tubing on the right side and machine an extention on the left with a bearing and turn a longer shaft to commect to the steering arm. The aluminum unit is a Peewee Erlbacher unit made in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, it took Franklin innards, note the bolt holes around the rim, stock unit had these to for adjustment. I've been into Vintage dirt cars since the late 1960's and found 4 Franklin boxes at flea markets, some say they are rare.
I had no idea that "Franklin" steering boxes actually came from Franklins. I figured it was a Franklin company not related to the early air cooled car company. Learn something new everytime I show up here. Neato!
The tube front axles out of the Franklins were also used on early Dry Lakes cars and some dirt cars as well. This one will go on a T speedster I'm collecting bits for. The Chevy spindles were sometimes used on Model T Ford front axles, they dropped the front a good 1 1/2 or so plus had a steering arm that would connect to a Franklin steerring box.
you must have some great swap/flea markets up your way. What year Chevy spindles will work on the T axle. Thanks
I think the Chevy spindles are 1927 and older, Mac the Yankee has been looking for a pair. The pair in the above photos were on a narrowed T axle that was on an early Midget. Vintage speed equipment finds run hot and cold, last year was a good one for me, finding the stuff is fun, being able to keep it is an ongoing problem.
Keeping it indeed is a problem! I've had a Franklin before, only to sell it when I needed cash to keep another project going. Now I find myself wanting one agian. It is what it is. Thanks
according to an article in Street Rodder , the Chrisman Bother's #25 dragster had the front axle and steering box from a 1923 Franklin
37 Kid, Your post on the Franklin steering had some interesting ***ociations. I have an old houseboat on a dock in Kuttawa, Ky. PeeWee Erlbacher had a fine Mathews boat on that dock. Although we were on the same dock, we didn't travel in the same crowd. He was friendly enough and I knew that he owned a gear company, however I wish that I knew that he reproduced Franklin steering units, we might have had a common interest. Does anyone have other info on the Earlbacher steering units? deChrome
2 years ago I turned down 3 front axle ***emblys with wheels for $25 bucks apiece at the bifg # here in DAGO was not on the HAMB then n thought they were worthless maybe the guy will haul em back this year n I will see my parts list just keeps growing
Mike Thomas in Des Moines was building and selling Erlbacher steering gears back in the 70's. He may (long shot) still be able to provide some info. I've seen a couple of those gears sold on eBay in the last several years. Edit: Mike was dealing in Norden steering....not Erlbacher. My bad.
This is what I just love about the HAMB! Post something and all this great info comes out in a matter of days, sometimes hours. Wonder if Mike Thomas has the missing left side of the steering box I have? Does anyone have any idea of what era the Erlbacher steering units were first manufactured?
Agreed, what a great resource. Do a Google Patent search for Erlbacher. There is a patent for a boat steering system, it might provide a clue to the vintage of the steering gear. Thanks
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