first ride

[vernlee]

Well I took my 31 coupe down the road yesterday after getting the brakes pretty darn good ( if I say so myself ) , but I didn't go very far , there is so much play in the steering I was afraid of darting into the other lane for a head on . The guy told me the steering box was rebuilt , and I still think it might have been , but if it was like the brakes ( all rebuilt also ) you can't just bolt on new parts and expect them to preform like new , I have looked at how to adjust the steering box , but I'm not sure where to start , which adjustment should be addressed first , what am I looking for ? , there was also a terrible vibration in the drivetrain , but that is for another post , after the steering fix .

Vern

[Patrick L.]

First we need to know what steering box you have. If you think it can be adjusted then I'm assuming its a 2 tooth.

There are 4 adjustments which need to performed in order. Its best to get a copy of the service bulletins and follow its instructions.

[WHN]

The very first thing that I would do is jack up the front end of you car.

See where there is play in the parts. King pins, spring, steering arm, wish bone, the list goes on.

You very well could have a rebuilt steering box, but you also might have another problem in the front end. They all work together.

Enjoy.

[Mulletwagon]

Ensure the pittman arm is solidly clamped to the sector shaft as a place to start. Minor looseness magnifies to major steering wheel play.

[Will N]

In addition to the things WHN mentioned, bake sure the wheel bearings are properly pre-loaded. Make sure the tie rod ends and drag link are snugged up. Make sure the toe-in is set correctly.

[katy]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

there is so much play in the steering I was afraid of darting into the other lane for a head on

Back in the '50s a good friend's father had a '36 Chev panel truck that had very loose steering. There was about a 1/2 a turn in the steering wheel. He was a mechanic from the old school and didn't seem to be concerned about the slop in the steering.

[Ruth]

While you're under the car, check to ensure the steering box is bolted tight to the frame. I was surprised to find mine loose once.

[vernlee]

The steering box is to the best of my knowledge the original 1931 box , car has had only 5 owners sense it was new .

[Patrick L.]

Your OP asked about box adjustment and we now know it should have a 2 tooth box.

But, as the fellas mentioned everything else from the box down thru to the wheel bearings should be considered.

[vernlee]

I haven't had time today , but I did look at it enough to see the steering wheel has an 1/8 to close to a 1/4 of play before the pitman arm even thinks about moving .

[vernlee]

While I'm on here , I guess I need a really good repair manual , what's the best one to get ?

[shew01]

Originally Posted by vernlee

While I'm on here , I guess I need a really good repair manual , what's the best one to get ?

This one is highly regarded.


https://www.amazon.com/Model-Ford-me...s+andre&sr=8-2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[1955cj5]

Originally Posted by shew01

This one is highly regarded.


https://www.amazon.com/Model-Ford-me...s+andre&sr=8-2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like Amazon for some things but the book is less expensive through the vendors.

https://www.brattons.com/model-a-mec...ook-vol-1.html


.

[Cape Codder]

1955cj5 - it seems to me that the Brattons you posted is a PDF Download for $36 and not the Hard Copy Book.

[1955cj5]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

1955cj5 - it seems to me that the Brattons you posted is a PDF Download for $36 and not the Hard Copy Book.

Well, I clicked on the "download" and it is just the table of contents...no charge!!

Bert's shows the same price...

https://modelastore.com/books/techni...roduct_id=6046

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

>1/4” play in the steering wheel is within spec. You probably could get it tighter, but not worth the time imo. Sounds like you’ve got problems elsewhere. Next step is play from the Pittman arm to the tie rod and wheels ect.

[rotorwrench]

The two tooth Gemmer is not a bad gear box but it shouldn't have any play if properly rebuilt. When properly adjusted, it should have no play in the straight ahead position since that'e the position they are adjusted in. Most of the worm gears wear out in this position. If they just replaced the bearings and didn't replace a worn worm or sector gear then it will still be loose. If it has a big divot missing from the worm then tightening it will not help. It will just have a stiff spot right in the middle and still be difficult to steer.

[vernlee]

I ordered the Les Andrews Mechanics hand books volume 1,2 & 3 off evil-Bay for $ 118.00 thanks for the info , I'm diving into the steering box today .

[wmws]

Originally Posted by Chuck Sea/Tac

>1/4” play in the steering wheel is within spec. You probably could get it tighter, but not worth the time imo. Sounds like you’ve got problems elsewhere. Next step is play from the Pittman arm to the tie rod and wheels ect.

I think he meant 1/4 turn of the wheel. Way too much.

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by vernlee

I haven't had time today , but I did look at it enough to see the steering wheel has an 1/8 to close to a 1/4 of play before the pitman arm even thinks about moving .

As measured in inches (1/8 to 1/4 inch) or up to 1/4 turn the steering wheel?
1/4 inch movement is good, no movement is not good.
Your hand at 12 o'clock and then down to 9 o'clock or down to 3 o'clock, now that would be scary!
Buy the Ford Service Bullentins from your favorite model A supplier and it will tell you how to adjust your steering gear box.
As a dumb teenage I had problems with my steering ( it wouldn't return to straight head unless you turned it back) I removed the column, disassembled, cleaned inspected, adjusted the box per ford service Bullentins, reinstalled and then had steering that would return to straight head after cornering !

[vernlee]

I can move the steering wheel 3'' to the left or 3'' to the right , a total of 6'' before any movement of the pitman arm . I pulled the fill plug on the box and it is full of grease , not gear oil but grease , it has a zerk fitting made right into the cap so you could grease it , I don't know as this would hurt anything but makes me wonder , should my first adjustment be on the worm gear itself, or the 2 tooth side shaft ?

[rotorwrench]

Most adjustments on Gemmer types move the sector gear to mesh with the worm. The early 2-tooth has odd bearings that are not available any more. If this is the case, the worm and a few other parts would have to be changed to be compatible with the later tapered roller bearings.

The old Gemmer 1 steering gear has three adjustments. One is end play of the steering shaft. The others are adjustment of the sector gear to close up the mesh between it & the worm plus an adjustment to center the sector with the worm. The centering adjustment is due to the movable nature of the sector gearshaft housing in the main body of the gearbox. The pitman arm has to have the same amount of play on both sides of center in the arc of movement or it isn't properly centered. After it is properly centered then the gear mesh adjustment has to be checked and adjusted for the least amount of play but still have smooth rotational force for both directions of turning. With good parts and careful adjustments, there should be very little play during steering movement.

A freshly overhauled steering gearbox should be able to use SAE 140 gear oil. I'm not a fan of the 600 steam cylinder oil since it could be some unknown mix of different lubricants like STP & SAE 90. The original viscosity of the 600 is very close to SAE 140 gear lube and the gear lube would have better corrosion inhibitors in it. Grease just pushes out of the way and stays there with no lubricating affect. John Deere corn head grease (thixotropic) would be better than plain old grease but both would be hard to get out of there if a person wanted to change out the lubricant.

[vernlee]

O.K. got the car jacked up , steering linkage unhooked from pitman arm ,there is no movement in the centric/sector shaft , in or out very snug , there is about an inch maybe more in the pitman arm forward and back , so I tightened the bolt that moves the worm gear , made no difference so I set it back where it was when I started , I guess now I'll try the sector adjustment ?????

Vern

[ryanheacox]

http://modelabasics.com/twoTooth.htm


Follow this procedure in order and you will end up with a nice tight steering box. It's the same procedure that is described in the Ford service bulletins but with nice illustrations.

[Patrick L.]

As previously mentioned, perform the adjustments correctly and in the proper order.

' so I tightened the bolt that moves the worm gear '
Thats a good way to crack the bearing race.

[vernlee]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Well I was following the instructions , tighten bolt , then back off 1/8 of a turn , that's what I did ,

[vernlee]

Well I got it , followed the directions to a T , Also had a book "Model A Ford Restoration Handbook " by Floyd Clymer , that a friend loaned me , that made the adjustments very clear and easy , it was mostly adjusting the eccentric nut to better mesh the sector shaft to the worm gear , I have no more than a 1/4'' play in the steering wheel now , probably as tight as it's going to get . Thanks everyone for your help , I'll be back with more questions I'm sure
Vern

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

1 down ???? To go. It’s worth it tho. Nothing like a sweet running model A. Even sweeter when you’re the one keeping it running.

[Tinbasher]

Also Check the Toe-In. Should be 1/16" Make a big difference with the Darting of the CAR. Had the same thing with my car and I had rebuilt everything. But I had toe out. Set it right now the car drives well.

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by vernlee

Well I got it , followed the directions to a T , Also had a book "Model A Ford Restoration Handbook " by Floyd Clymer , that a friend loaned me , that made the adjustments very clear and easy , it was mostly adjusting the eccentric nut to better mesh the sector shaft to the worm gear , I have no more than a 1/4'' play in the steering wheel now , probably as tight as it's going to get . Thanks everyone for your help , I'll be back with more questions I'm sure
Vern

You want a little play ! Go for a ride and enjoy !

[vernlee]

Tinbasher , thanks for reminding me