The Ford Barn

51shoeboxer · 03-25-2025, 07:37 PM

The steering box is different on the 1951 Ford. The bolt that is locked down on the top of the steering box is different from other Ford steering boxes. Before the 1951, the bolt that needed to be unlocked by the 5/8" nut raised or lowered a tapered gear that changed the amount of play in the steering wheel. On the 1951, that bolt does nothing; it is not connected to the tapered gear. What does that bolt do?

I know that play is adjusted by loosening the four bolts on the bottom of the steering box and rotating the adjustable cover clockwise to reduce play in the steering wheel, but what - if anything - does the bolt on the top of the steering box do?

03-25-2025, 07:37 PM	#1
51shoeboxer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: California Posts: 121	Adjusting the steering wheel play in a 1951 Ford The steering box is different on the 1951 Ford. The bolt that is locked down on the top of the steering box is different from other Ford steering boxes. Before the 1951, the bolt that needed to be unlocked by the 5/8" nut raised or lowered a tapered gear that changed the amount of play in the steering wheel. On the 1951, that bolt does nothing; it is not connected to the tapered gear. What does that bolt do? I know that play is adjusted by loosening the four bolts on the bottom of the steering box and rotating the adjustable cover clockwise to reduce play in the steering wheel, but what - if anything - does the bolt on the top of the steering box do?