I took the car in for an alignment today and the shop told me the steering box is smoked and needs a rebuild. Now I need a place to rebuild this thing quick since I'm registered for a show on the 10th of June. Any suggestions? Also is this something that I could just buy all the parts from say C&G Early Ford parts and do it myself?
i have one off of a 52 that a guy gave me, but it has been sitting for a long time and i dont know if it is much better, but if you want it ill send it to ya for the price of shipping. just let me know and ill send you some pictures, but i dont know if it is different from a 54 since so many things were changed from 53 to 54
You could try Lees power steering I have heard excellent thing about them for years. Borgeson also makes a new P/S box that bolts in and it is about $650 bucks. http://lee-powersteering.com/
53Vicky: I'm not sure if they are different but in the parts book they appear to be the same. Pictures would be great. Jeff: Sorry I forgot to include that part, they adjusted it all the way and the steering play is still horrendous. I can still turn the wheel a 1/4 turn without it affecting anything. Fordsbyjay: Thanks for the information, I will take a look at the sight even though I don't have power steering it may be of some help.
check out JPL streetrods on ebay they sell the borgeson kit for $600. you'll have power steering in a weekend as long as you have the right ragjoint
I looked them up but I'm not sure I found exactly what you're talking about, can you send me a link to the exact add or the item code?
I think this is essentially the same as the Cherokee steering box that has been posted around here lately, I think you'll still have to notch your frame a little, and shorten/replace your steering shaft.
I did the jeep steering in my car. Borgeson's is a little different. they use a different box that bolts in with no mod to the frame. you DO have to shorten your steering shaft though
You might want to check this link out too:www.wurthitdesigns.com good pictures of the installed unit.www.usapartssupply.com has rebuilt stock steering wheel boxes available,I just got a new C&G Ford parts catalog yesterday stock parts there are $$$.I think Don aka rustyfords here and on 1954Ford.com rebuilt his recently you might send Him a pm.
I looked at the Borgeson product and talked to a guy at the LSSRA with a 55 Crown. No frame notching but it won't work with a factory clutch linkage. Need to convert to hydraulic or cable.
I have a C6 automatic so that wouldn't be a big deal for me since I already changed the kickdown lever to a cable system. I actually decided to take my lazy **** up to C&G Ford today since they are only about 30 miles away. After a small discussion, I've decided that I can rebuild this thing with the parts they have and it will take me less time than waiting for parts in the mail. I will keep this post in mind for my future plans because I'm sure one day I will want to change over to a rack an pinion system or something like the power steering conversion that you guys have talked about. Thank you everyone for your advice and for all the links. Its always great to have options and its great that guys like you are there to help the novice like myself.
hey man i went down to my shed where i have some parts where the steering box was, and after looking at it, i think it needs to be rebuilt too, dont wanna send ya something that is junk. sorry man.
No worries, but I may need it anyway since the guy that put the 351 in there cut a piece of the steering box so the exhaust manifold would fit. I'm a little upset about that but I've known for almost the entire time I've had the car. I'm going to pull the steering box tomorrow and I will let you know what I find and if I do need your steering box. Thanks for looking even if it turn out to be in vain.
Does anyone have a tech guide or a weblink with step by step directions on rebuilding a steering box? I need to rebuild the one off my 54 and have never done it before.
Can you tell us what part you need ? You can get the parts to rebuild them . If you want to know about the P/S conversion , Johnny (Rockabillykat666 ) just did one and he sell the adapter plate you need ! Jim
Ok no prob, Ill try to get some pictures for u and get shipping figured out tuesday when the ups store is open
As usual when I work on the little blue car she gave me more drama. I took off the horn ring and voila a black substance that I can only describe as tar. This was a definite WTF moment for me. Then came the steering wheel puller that couldn't budge the steering wheel but did bend the two bolts that you screw into the center plate. I have all the parts to include a new sector shaft and worm gear waiting for the rebuild but the headache of this new black tar revelation has taken the front seat. I understand that cars this old are not easy but how about not being ridiculous. Now my question is, can you take a steering box out without removing the steering wheel? Or even better can I remove the sector shaft without removing the steering wheel? On a positive note, I was able to change the front shocks without too much difficulty. I'm also one step away from having my parking break installed which may help when the car tries to kill me and the brake pedal falls off for no reason.
As usual when I work on the little blue car she gave me more drama. I took off the horn ring and voila a black substance that I can only describe as tar. This was a definite WTF moment for me. Then came the steering wheel puller that couldn't budge the steering wheel but did bend the two bolts that you screw into the center plate. I have all the parts to include a new sector shaft and worm gear waiting for the rebuild but the headache of this new black tar revelation has taken the front seat. I understand that cars this old are not easy but how about not being ridiculous. Now my question is, can you take a steering box out without removing the steering wheel? Or even better can I remove the sector shaft without removing the steering wheel? On a positive note, I was able to change the front shocks without too much difficulty. I'm also one step away from having my parking break installed which may help when the car tries to kill me and the brake pedal falls off for no reason.
54HR, I think that sector shaft is one piece from steering wheel to box. ( I may be wrong on this). Anyway, I don't think you can get that box out without removing the wheel. Other guys have had this problem with the wheel being stuck. I think the concensus is to use some kind of penetrating oil and give it time to work. You might try a little heat on it BUT be very careful how you apply the heat. I had a snapped off body mount bolt and I used WD-40 and let it soak for a couple of days. Went back later with some heat and it came right out. Using heat inside the car can be catastrophic. Just be careful if you go that route. Hope this helps.
54 Hotrod.............the best way I have found for removing a steering wheel is to loosen the big nut til its flush with the shaft. Then I get a piece of br*** stock about 1-2" in dia. and several inches long, and a decent size hammer. Then I sit in the drivers seat and get my knees under the wheel, and feet on the floor, so you can get lots of leverage under the wheel, and place the br*** on end of shaft/nut, and give it a good solid hit with hammer. That works for me everytime. FWIW the reason the nut is flush with end of shart is so it doesn't mess up shaft.
I sprayed NAPA's penetrating catalyst three times with heavy doses each time today. I was afraid that you guys would say it can only come out by taking off the steering wheel. Hopefully the copious amount of catalyst will soak in overnight and I can get it off with ease tomorrow. ParkLane.....I read your post twice trying to understand the way you do this but I must be a bit dumb because I'm not really sure what you mean. Are you saying that you put the br*** where the nut screws on and then you hit it with the hammer?
I couldn't get the box & shaft out without taking the wheel off. Mine too had the strange tar ****, I found out later from an old timer that it was more likely to be the residual leftovers of a compound they used to hold the plastic protector on the inside of the horn ring. Kind of a "Moisture Block" to keep it from forming rust around the horn connections. as for the wheel, Mine started to bend the bolts, I went and bought a set of grade 8 bolts at the hardware store and put them on.. a few turns and a little tap from the rubber mallet, it popped right off.
As far as the black tar **** on the wheel, there was a thread on the main board a while back, I think the consensus was to rub lanolin into the steering wheel. I have a wheel from a 73 Camaro I bought as a parts car and the steering wheel is weeping the tar, but since it just hangs on the garage wall, I don't worry about it.
Are you saying to use 100% sheep wax? I'm a bit confused but I'm sure this will get cleared up soon. The positives for today are that I was able to not only get the steering wheel off thanks I"m sure to the copious amount of penetrating catalyst that I sprayed on yesterday, but I was also able to get the steering gear box out of the car too. Tomorrow I will begin the rebuild and hopefully finish it too. Thanks to everyone so far with their help. After this is done, my next challenge will be the ball joints.
WOW 54 hotrod, if I only knew you were looking for a steering box. I just sold the one I removed from my 54, it had been rebuilt two yrs ago. I installed power steering in that ford a yr ago and it was a left over part. I was just in oceanside last week. I see you were not to far away.
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