The Ford Barn

Bullerman · 05-05-2026, 07:30 AM

Steering is stiff on my 50. Have had the car about two years. It has been like this since I have had it. It's like it doesn't have that much rebound.
I want to check the grease in the steering box but not sure how. It has the steering box screw for adjustment and one other plug on top.
Do I just pull the plug ( if I can get it out) and try and force grease in the box. Anyone tell me what I should do. It may have the original grease in it.

Kube · 05-05-2026, 08:21 AM

The hexagon plug is the lubrication plug.
If the steering is stiff, it can be a couple of things.
Yes, first check the fluid level. If that's okay, check the adjustment. By the appearance of the screw, I'd guess someone has been tightening it down. Perhaps too tight?

Rebound? If you mean the steering doesn't straighten back out easily after a turn, I'd check the toe-in and well, have the front chassis professionally aligned.

Bullerman · 05-05-2026, 09:00 AM

That's why I want to free the screw so I can see if it to tight. I am going to jack the car up today and see if it still stiff with the wheels off the ground. I read that if it is still stiff with the wheels off the ground it is probably in the steering box.
I may see if I can take the fill plug out and check the grease.
I had new king pins put in after I got the car by one of the reliable shops here in town. I would hope they did a front end alignment on it. I may need to go back and talk to them.
Got to figure out how to get this sand adjustment loose.

Kube · 05-05-2026, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullerman

That's why I want to free the screw so I can see if it to tight. I am going to jack the car up today and see if it still stiff with the wheels off the ground. I read that if it is still stiff with the wheels off the ground it is probably in the steering box.
I may see if I can take the fill plug out and check the grease.
I had new king pins put in after I got the car by one of the reliable shops here in town. I would hope they did a front end alignment on it. I may need to go back and talk to them.
Got to figure out how to get this sand adjustment loose.

If you have a small cut-off wheel, I'd suggest cutting the groove a bit deeper and using a screwdriver of the proper size.

Bob C · 05-05-2026, 10:01 AM

I looked in the service manual and it says SAE 90 for steering box.

wga · 05-05-2026, 10:14 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

From Van Pelt:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ordcar-pg1.htm

From 50fordcoupleman:
The "adjustment screw" on the top of the unit is NOT for adjusting the steering box. First loosen the nut on the slotted stud on top of the steering box. Unscrew the stud about half a turn. Remember or mark the position of the stud because when finished you need to put the stud back in the original position. Now on the bottom of the box are 4 screws or bolts that hold on the bottom plate. Slightly loosen all 4 but dont remove. Now tap the bottom one way or the other. That bottom plate bolt holes are slotted and allows the plate to be adjusted back and forth. I dont remember which way loosens or tightens up the steering wheel slop. This is a trial and error method of adjusting so a second person helps otherwise it could take several trips under the car. It took me about 10 trips under the car. It only takes minute movement to adjust the wheel. Once satisfied with adjustment, on top of the box, tighten stud back down to original position and tighten the nut. Remember to check oil level in the box

petehoovie · 05-05-2026, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullerman

Steering is stiff on my 50. Have had the car about two years. It has been like this since I have had it. It's like it doesn't have that much rebound.
I want to check the grease in the steering box but not sure how. It has the steering box screw for adjustment and one other plug on top.
Do I just pull the plug ( if I can get it out) and try and force grease in the box. Anyone tell me what I should do. It may have the original grease in it.

Bullerman · 05-08-2026, 11:31 AM

I think I got it. Finally got the adjuster screw on top undone. It was good tight. As soon as I loosened it a hair the steering freed up. Guess it was just to tight. It was a hair low on lubricant. I topped if off with 90 weight. Feels much easier to drive down the road.

Newc · 05-08-2026, 12:28 PM

There are some tight clearances in those boxes, 90 W is correct NOT grease. Newc

05-05-2026, 08:21 AM	#2
Kube Super Moderator Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 10,539	Re: 50 For Custom steering box The hexagon plug is the lubrication plug. If the steering is stiff, it can be a couple of things. Yes, first check the fluid level. If that's okay, check the adjustment. By the appearance of the screw, I'd guess someone has been tightening it down. Perhaps too tight? Rebound? If you mean the steering doesn't straighten back out easily after a turn, I'd check the toe-in and well, have the front chassis professionally aligned. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

05-05-2026, 09:00 AM	#3
Bullerman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 175	Re: 50 For Custom steering box That's why I want to free the screw so I can see if it to tight. I am going to jack the car up today and see if it still stiff with the wheels off the ground. I read that if it is still stiff with the wheels off the ground it is probably in the steering box. I may see if I can take the fill plug out and check the grease. I had new king pins put in after I got the car by one of the reliable shops here in town. I would hope they did a front end alignment on it. I may need to go back and talk to them. Got to figure out how to get this sand adjustment loose.

05-05-2026, 10:01 AM	#5
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,598	Re: 50 For Custom steering box I looked in the service manual and it says SAE 90 for steering box.

05-05-2026, 10:14 AM	#6
wga Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 971	Re: 50 For Custom steering box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) From Van Pelt: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ordcar-pg1.htm From 50fordcoupleman: The "adjustment screw" on the top of the unit is NOT for adjusting the steering box. First loosen the nut on the slotted stud on top of the steering box. Unscrew the stud about half a turn. Remember or mark the position of the stud because when finished you need to put the stud back in the original position. Now on the bottom of the box are 4 screws or bolts that hold on the bottom plate. Slightly loosen all 4 but dont remove. Now tap the bottom one way or the other. That bottom plate bolt holes are slotted and allows the plate to be adjusted back and forth. I dont remember which way loosens or tightens up the steering wheel slop. This is a trial and error method of adjusting so a second person helps otherwise it could take several trips under the car. It took me about 10 trips under the car. It only takes minute movement to adjust the wheel. Once satisfied with adjustment, on top of the box, tighten stud back down to original position and tighten the nut. Remember to check oil level in the box __________________ Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer.

05-08-2026, 11:31 AM	#8
Bullerman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 175	Re: 50 For Custom steering box I think I got it. Finally got the adjuster screw on top undone. It was good tight. As soon as I loosened it a hair the steering freed up. Guess it was just to tight. It was a hair low on lubricant. I topped if off with 90 weight. Feels much easier to drive down the road.

05-08-2026, 12:28 PM	#9
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,052	Re: 50 For Custom steering box There are some tight clearances in those boxes, 90 W is correct NOT grease. Newc