The Ford Barn

Chris Van · 05-27-2015, 12:25 PM

Hi again Boffins

My daily driver '31 Town Sedan works really hard.

Suddenly the steering has become stiff and creaking and sticky. About 10 years ago I solved the problem of the oil running out of the steering box by filling it up with CV joint grease which has worked like a charm. But this new stiffness seems to be in the column itself, right near the steering wheel.

Any ideas please guys? You helped me fantastically with my engine noise (loose timing gear nut) so I am back for another fix, so to speak!

Sincerely

Chris Van
(Johannesburg, South Africa)

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 05-27-2015, 01:43 PM

Easiest, quickest way to find your issue is to remove the Pitman arm from the Sector shaft and turn the wheel to see if there is any stiffness or binding. I suspect the worm and/or sector is galled from the use of grease.

Tom Wesenberg · 05-27-2015, 01:43 PM

You should put a bit of oil on the top bushing each time you grease the car.
Do the same with door hinges and every moving part.

Terry, NJ · 05-28-2015, 10:16 AM

I just bought a 1930 model A coupe (3rd Mod. A) with a bad steering box (How strange is that?) I know the sector shaft is bad and I 'm pretty sure the upper worm bearing sleeve is cracked. It clicks as it you turn the wheel. And it binds as you go over center with the steering box. I'm gonna bite the bullet and rebuild it. I'm curious. what are the costs involved with honing? the sector shaft bushing. The last one I reamed and it's starting to show a little wear and leakage.
Terry

Chris Van · 05-31-2015, 01:25 AM

Thanks, Brent, Tom... will have a look-see and keep you posted.

Chris Van · 06-01-2015, 07:59 PM

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Hi Guys
As mentioned before, about eight years ago I filled the steering box with black CV joint grease which worked perfectly. As it turns out, aided by petrol from my ever-weeping carburetor dripping onto the steering box filler lug nut, all the CV joint grease has over the years been thinned out. So all I did was to refill the box again with CV joint grease and voila! the steering feels as smooth as a Formula One car! So those folk who say do not put grease in the steering box are probably referring to regular wheel bearing grease and not the delicious super-slippery black CV joint grease. Feels great to have such a superb steering again have to say.

05-27-2015, 12:25 PM	#1
Chris Van Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 61	Sticky, stiff, creaking, steering (column) Hi again Boffins My daily driver '31 Town Sedan works really hard. Suddenly the steering has become stiff and creaking and sticky. About 10 years ago I solved the problem of the oil running out of the steering box by filling it up with CV joint grease which has worked like a charm. But this new stiffness seems to be in the column itself, right near the steering wheel. Any ideas please guys? You helped me fantastically with my engine noise (loose timing gear nut) so I am back for another fix, so to speak! Sincerely Chris Van (Johannesburg, South Africa)

05-27-2015, 01:43 PM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,507	Re: Sticky, stiff, creaking, steering (column) Easiest, quickest way to find your issue is to remove the Pitman arm from the Sector shaft and turn the wheel to see if there is any stiffness or binding. I suspect the worm and/or sector is galled from the use of grease. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

05-27-2015, 01:43 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Sticky, stiff, creaking, steering (column) You should put a bit of oil on the top bushing each time you grease the car. Do the same with door hinges and every moving part.

05-28-2015, 10:16 AM	#4
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Sticky, stiff, creaking, steering (column) I just bought a 1930 model A coupe (3rd Mod. A) with a bad steering box (How strange is that?) I know the sector shaft is bad and I 'm pretty sure the upper worm bearing sleeve is cracked. It clicks as it you turn the wheel. And it binds as you go over center with the steering box. I'm gonna bite the bullet and rebuild it. I'm curious. what are the costs involved with honing? the sector shaft bushing. The last one I reamed and it's starting to show a little wear and leakage. Terry

05-31-2015, 01:25 AM	#5
Chris Van Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 61	Re: Sticky, stiff, creaking, steering (column) Thanks, Brent, Tom... will have a look-see and keep you posted.

06-01-2015, 07:59 PM	#6
Chris Van Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 61	Re: Sticky, stiff, creaking, steering (column) Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hi Guys As mentioned before, about eight years ago I filled the steering box with black CV joint grease which worked perfectly. As it turns out, aided by petrol from my ever-weeping carburetor dripping onto the steering box filler lug nut, all the CV joint grease has over the years been thinned out. So all I did was to refill the box again with CV joint grease and voila! the steering feels as smooth as a Formula One car! So those folk who say do not put grease in the steering box are probably referring to regular wheel bearing grease and not the delicious super-slippery black CV joint grease. Feels great to have such a superb steering again have to say.