The Ford Barn

lh · 05-22-2011, 11:07 PM

I am in the process of rebuilding this steering gear box with new parts. I am having a very difficult time installing the new worm on the steering shaft. I am following procedures in a book first published in the 1950's, good help.

I made a special driving tool as described in the book also heating the worm to 300º before trying to drive the worm on the shaft with a 4 lb hammer. The shaft is clamped in a vice on a work bench. I am up to my 5th try. I have been judiciously filing in between tries.

Today I made a 3/16" thick special collar that fits over the steering wheel nut threads on the shaft and rests on the shoulder that the steering wheel seats upon. The idea is to tighten the collar using the nut then set this end on a piece of plywood on the concrete floor then drive the on the worm. The vice has some "give" and the floor will be more solid.

My concern is harming the threads even though the force should be taken up by the collar. Is there a better way?

05-22-2011, 11:07 PM	#1
lh Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bishop, CA Posts: 10	Rebuilding a 1930 steering gear box I am in the process of rebuilding this steering gear box with new parts. I am having a very difficult time installing the new worm on the steering shaft. I am following procedures in a book first published in the 1950's, good help. I made a special driving tool as described in the book also heating the worm to 300º before trying to drive the worm on the shaft with a 4 lb hammer. The shaft is clamped in a vice on a work bench. I am up to my 5th try. I have been judiciously filing in between tries. Today I made a 3/16" thick special collar that fits over the steering wheel nut threads on the shaft and rests on the shoulder that the steering wheel seats upon. The idea is to tighten the collar using the nut then set this end on a piece of plywood on the concrete floor then drive the on the worm. The vice has some "give" and the floor will be more solid. My concern is harming the threads even though the force should be taken up by the collar. Is there a better way?