I oT hwn a 55 cusomline and everything is basically stock for the steering. The teeth that hold the steering wheel nut on have been damaged. I'm curious on what I can use to replace that whole shaft or if there is a suitable substitute. I believe the part I'm looking for is the steering shaft with worm gear.
At one time there were NOS steering shafts for these boxes available but those are long gone. It didn't help that they were year/model-specific either (different lengths). If the threads aren't totally gone, your best bet will be to run a tap over them to clean them up and don't get carried away when tightening the nut. They also make 'thread files' to repair these but those are tougher to use. Not repairable? Then you'll either need to track down a good or rebuildable '55 Ford steering box, or barring that, a 52-57 Ford box and splice the better shaft end on, maintaining length. You can't go newer than '57 as Ford moved the horn wire from inside the hollow steering shaft after '57 and all shafts were solid after that.
By 'teeth' do you mean thread? Without seeing it you should be able to get the thread back into usable shape to allow the nut to tighten down on the wheel. Or, do you mean the splines (lengthwise 'teeth') that mate the wheel to the shaft?
I'd get a new nut, then carefully rethread the column as suggested by Steve, above. It would help us if you gave some general idea in your profile as to where you live. Then we might be able to find a HAMB member near you to help.
So I found these, would this 56 shaft work in mt 55 as long as it's 3 tooth? https://cgfordparts.com/steering-box-worm-shaft-56-passenger-3-tooth-309-b6a-3524-c.html
Yes the threads that the steering wheel nut goes on. I was wondering if I could rethread them using a tap and die tool and replace with a smaller nut.
The 55 box is going to have a 2T SECTOR SHAFT unless it has been upgraded at some point. The 55 shaft is also longer than the 56. Is the car drive-able? If so, run it to a machine shop and ask if the threads can be saved. Otherwise you are going to have to take the input shaft out and take it in, or find the correct input shaft or find a usable take-out box. $322 !?!?
option if the threads are not repairable put a bolt in the hollow tube drill a couple holes in the sides & spot weld
They are 2t? My shop manual says three. I found a place that sells both I just want to make sure before investing in one. But thank you for the insight.
I don't know if the shaft is hallow like on my 56 F100. I royally screwed up the threads on my hallow shaft using a steering wheel puller- basically flared it out so nut wouldn't go on. I kept working on it and finally got it back on and the threads fixed up good enough, slow as it goes.... But while I was looking online at a way to fix it, I saw a tool that is hinged and can be clamped on the good threads up on the shaft and " unscrewed" out- cleaning up the threads. Except starting at the end and going in as a regular die, It starts on the "in" threads and goes out. I thought that would be a good way to repair, if they are available in the right thread.....
Unfortunately my threads were Fd. Mine too mushroomed using a puller and basically messed them up to where the steering wheel sits. So I'm looking at replacing the steering shaft and gear but having trouble finding a replacement.
Work shop manual, I believe. what you need is a split thread chaser. From an old HAMB post, this link. https://www.threadtoolsupply.com/murray-tools-thread-repair-system.html Going to be the best bet, and way less money than dealing with the whole box. Common belief is the Ford boxes went from 2 sector (teeth) to 3 in mid 56. I don’t know for sure. I believe the shorter shaft was the result of the dished steering wheel in 56, requiring a shorter shaft and column to maintain wheel placement.
;55s have a 2 tooth sector as did early '56. Most '56s got the 3 tooth sector. You can use the shorter '56 column to get the 3 tooth sector and just use the '56 steering wheel or one that is dished the same as the '56 wheel. A lot of people used to do that to get the benefit of the 3 tooth sector.. Hot Rod Reverend has '56 steering box/column/wheel and dash in his '55 Club Sedan.
My Olds had damaged 'threads' on the steering shaft, from a gorilla pounding on it to get the wheel off. It was mushroomed pretty badly. I ground off the mushroomed part, at a 45* angle, careful to not damage any partially good threads. I then used a thread file to rework the threads from the bottom up. Worked very well, and prevented me from taking the steering box out of the car, and ripping into it.
I have this setup in my 55 as well. Going with the '56 column and box gets you away from the deadly spear of the 55 shaft
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