7 tooth steering box
 

Hi,

I have a steering column maybe from 1929. It has no oil plug, so it uses only grease. it has 2 grease nipples.
It has a black splined steering wheel.
I don't understand the following:
I insert the 7-tooth sector and connect it with the steering worm gear on the steering shaft.
When I turn the steering wheel now, then I can turn the pitman arm, but if I fix the pitman arm, then the steering column moves upwards and comes out of the upper bushing.
Is there no fixation for the steering column in the steering housing, because only the sector should turn and the steering column should only rotate.
I know, at the lower end, I have to install the spider with the spring and it's fixed on the light switch rod with the Spider retainer, but this is not designed to handle such a high load.

What am I missing ?

Thanks for help

Willi

Re: 7 tooth steering box
 

I've never been inside a 7 tooth box but there are a few threads on here that are recent about it. From what I gather you need to play with the shims on yours to reduce the shaft end play. The shims are between the bottom of the box and the plate where the light switch attaches.



Also, the grease fitting that is on the steering box takes oil, not grease. Just unscrew the fitting and add oil. The fitting where the sector shaft goes through takes grease, good for the bushings and helps reduce oil leakage.

Re: 7 tooth steering box
 

I would suggest getting Les Andrews book,the pictorial breakdown on the 7 tooth steering box shows a thrust bearing above and below the worm.possibly someone on the barn could post the picture.

Re: 7 tooth steering box
 

Re: 7 tooth steering box
 

It's not real clear from the schematic, but the bushing labeled 14 goes above the worm gear and the one labeled 29 goes below it. The bearings labeled 13 go on either side of the worm. That's what holds the whole thing in place and allows it to turn.

Re: 7 tooth steering box
 

Make sure when restoring the 7-tooth column that you use the correct #13 bearing as Ford made a change sometime in the assemblies (bearings), diameter wise, of these columns. These are the same bearings utilized as the thrust bearings on the front axle.

Pluck

Re: 7 tooth steering box
 

Your axial clearance is too large on the steering shaft between #14 and #30. The worm is moving in that clearance and that's why the steering wheel is moving in and out.

On mine I put it together without the gasket (used permatex) and that eliminated the looseness that mine had.

Re: 7 tooth steering box
 

Thanks you all,
When I disassembled it, this 2 king pin bushings were not in place. Now I understand it more and more. Soon, it will be running!

Thanks bringing me to the right way.
Willi