Anyone here had there steering box rebuilt? I am looking for a rebuilder for my 56's box and would like to here your recommendations.
Try using the search function above,specify "this group only" some guys have done rebuilds and posted pictures.
Don,the president of the '54 Ford Club of America did a great how to tech over on the '54 Ford club website. Here's the link. HRP http://1954ford.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=3105&hilit=rebuilding+the+steering+box
Ok, I've decided to go at it myself. After looking at a parts and service manual it doesnt look too complicated. i do have one question. Is it possible to tell the difference between the 2 and 3 tooth sectors externally? I need to know what I have so I can order parts.
With Windows there is usually a file available in "My Do***ents" called "My Pictures" you can take a picture with most cameras and it will store them then when you click on "upload a file" it takes you to "my pictures" then you just click and post. The good thing is these pictures will stay around where as Photobucket pictures go to a cyber wasteland after a while which is a shame because we have lost a lot of helpful build pictures from the past.
As far as I know, you have to take the top cap off at the least, maybe drain/remove some oil to see the sector. Rebuilding the box is pretty simple, hardest part is finding someone to remove/press sector bearings and if you need to , press worm gear on. Both of those I had my reserves attempting on my own so I ended up at a trans shop my shop does business with, They are well versed on removing small diameter bearing cases. The worm gear process is as follows: 1. Remove the worm gear from the shaft(I CAREFULLY cut mine lengthwise on opposite sides, splitting it off) 2. Make sure there are no "burrs" on shaft from the original worm install before you freeze the shaft. The trans shop put mine on a mill and remove the burrs(after the first attempt failed and worm only went halfway down) 3. freeze the shaft and heat the new worm in oven 350 degrees for thirty minutes 4. Drop it on the frozen shaft Like I said, I chose to have a pro do the presswork. $50 TIP: the worm gear install is the same for model t, find a club near you, they probably have a guy that has done the "worm dance" Other than that it's a "cup of cake" to do. HA!
Its pretty sloppy so I'm sure it will need a new worm and sector gear. How did you go about finding the right amount of shims? I read on post they just removed/added shims until it would turn freely with no end play.
I am in the middle of putting a 59 steering box in my 56 wagon it bolts up to the frame ok an bolts up to the dash ok you can not use the 56 mast an shifer i am using a mast an shifter out of a 58 would have been better to use the mast an shifter out of the 59 but i did not have had to make do with what i had
I used a 1963 Galaxy steering box and column. It bolted in, even the wiring connected, and it gives you a rag joint to help get rid of vibrations. I just had to modify the shifter arm a bit.
shims I got in the rebuild kit(From JOBLOT) wre basically paper gaskets, I just added/subtracted till it felt right. I'll double check it per the repair manual procedure once its in the car
The Jalopy Journal
