The Ford Barn

Dennis Pereira · 11-18-2021, 06:02 PM

Working on a 7 tooth and noticed the upper steering column bushing came with screws but no screw holes . Do I install the rods and anti rattlers and drill and tap ? Its going to be a tight fit .

nkaminar · 11-18-2021, 08:43 PM

See Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook, Volume I, page 1-306. It says "The upper column bushing is held in place with a screw on each side of the control quadrant. The screws must be removed before driving out the bushing." It goes on to explain how to remove the bushing and that it is pot metal and may break.

Look for the tapped holes. They may be filled in with grease or other stuff.

The Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook has been very helpful for me.

Dennis Pereira · 11-18-2021, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

See Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook, Volume I, page 1-306. It says "The upper column bushing is held in place with a screw on each side of the control quadrant. The screws must be removed before driving out the bushing." It goes on to explain how to remove the bushing and that it is pot metal and may break.

Look for the tapped holes. They may be filled in with grease or other stuff.

The Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook has been very helpful for me.

This is a new part it came with screws but no tapped holes . I'm putting this back together I'm done with taking it apart thanks .

jw hash · 11-18-2021, 11:54 PM

no big deal, you need to drill and tap the holes.

gdmn852 · 11-19-2021, 11:51 AM

Yes repro bushing will need drill and tapped 10/ 32 ,I just put one in .

Dennis Pereira · 11-19-2021, 03:08 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gdmn852

Yes repro bushing will need drill and tapped 10/ 32 ,I just put one in .

Thanks did you install the spark an gas rods first ? then drill an tapp in place ? I'm afraid once bushing goes in its staying

rotorwrench · 11-19-2021, 04:45 PM

They likely were worried about fit problems so they left them unfinished to be hand fit to each column.

ericr · 11-19-2021, 07:09 PM

not to sound contrary but it can be more difficult for us rank amateurs to orecisely punch, drill and tap tiny holes on a tube than what it might seem. if the hole is off to some minutae the spark/throttle roads won't align on the quandrants quite correctly, nor on the accelerator linkage, which already is often haywire.

Fhane · 11-19-2021, 07:49 PM

The 7 tooth steering bushing had the screws you speak of. The 2 tooth steering did not have the screws. Maybe you ordered the wrong bushing or the vender sent the wrong one. Good venders carry both.

Dennis Pereira · 11-19-2021, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fhane

The 7 tooth steering bushing had the screws you speak of. The 2 tooth steering did not have the screws. Maybe you ordered the wrong bushing or the vender sent the wrong one. Good venders carry both.

The sealed plastic bag had this tag 7 TOOTH STEERING UPPER BUSHING WITH TWO MOUNTING SCREWS . I have the bushing in and one rod out the bottom the other rod is giving me a problem . As soon as I coax the wayward rod in I will drill and tap the aluminum bushing it looks close to the one that came out but half the weight of the old one .

rotorwrench · 11-20-2021, 09:07 AM

The 2-tooth steering shaft bushings used screw retention till Jun of 1930 so some of the later units have screws. I know the mid to late 1929 2-tooth types did. The later ones after the change in Jun of 1930 have a V notch to prevent turning of the bushing after it is driven in place.

Not all sources tell you they are undrilled. I checked a few and Bratton's has a statement to that effect.

Dennis Pereira · 11-20-2021, 03:05 PM

I tried for a couple of hours to to get both spark and throttle rods in no luck . So I took the whole steering assembly apart with the steering shaft out of the way and the upper bushing loose so I could align the rods I started them in then drove the upper bushing home. Installed steering shaft and put it all back together the Ford Service Bulletins starting at page 240 had all the info I needed to do this right the first time . Now the next problem the repop control rod arms are too small and need to be drilled but they look real weak / cheap . A little reaming and filing their on the little springs and pins were fun but seem to work fine .

Dennis Pereira · 11-21-2021, 07:28 PM

The old girl is fighting me all the way. I had to take it apart again the steering shaft retainer with tube would only start in then stick. So, I reamed the end of the steering shaft a little I think I'm good to go again.

Wagga A'er · 11-21-2021, 10:19 PM

Just ream the hole up slightly to enable the tube to fit.

Dennis Pereira · 11-22-2021, 05:42 PM

The steering assembly is mounted and the front wheels turn right and left on to the next step. Thanks for the help.

11-18-2021, 06:02 PM	#1
Dennis Pereira Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgetown Divide Kelsey ca Posts: 868	Steering Column Upper Bushing Working on a 7 tooth and noticed the upper steering column bushing came with screws but no screw holes . Do I install the rods and anti rattlers and drill and tap ? Its going to be a tight fit . __________________ Dennis in Kelsey ca

11-18-2021, 08:43 PM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing See Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook, Volume I, page 1-306. It says "The upper column bushing is held in place with a screw on each side of the control quadrant. The screws must be removed before driving out the bushing." It goes on to explain how to remove the bushing and that it is pot metal and may break. Look for the tapped holes. They may be filled in with grease or other stuff. The Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook has been very helpful for me. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

11-18-2021, 11:54 PM	#4
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,552	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing no big deal, you need to drill and tap the holes.

11-19-2021, 11:51 AM	#5
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing Yes repro bushing will need drill and tapped 10/ 32 ,I just put one in .

11-19-2021, 04:45 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing They likely were worried about fit problems so they left them unfinished to be hand fit to each column.

11-19-2021, 07:09 PM	#8
ericr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,542	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing not to sound contrary but it can be more difficult for us rank amateurs to orecisely punch, drill and tap tiny holes on a tube than what it might seem. if the hole is off to some minutae the spark/throttle roads won't align on the quandrants quite correctly, nor on the accelerator linkage, which already is often haywire.

11-19-2021, 07:49 PM	#9
Fhane Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stuart Florida Posts: 148	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing The 7 tooth steering bushing had the screws you speak of. The 2 tooth steering did not have the screws. Maybe you ordered the wrong bushing or the vender sent the wrong one. Good venders carry both.

11-20-2021, 09:07 AM	#11
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing The 2-tooth steering shaft bushings used screw retention till Jun of 1930 so some of the later units have screws. I know the mid to late 1929 2-tooth types did. The later ones after the change in Jun of 1930 have a V notch to prevent turning of the bushing after it is driven in place. Not all sources tell you they are undrilled. I checked a few and Bratton's has a statement to that effect. Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-20-2021 at 09:12 AM.

11-20-2021, 03:05 PM	#12
Dennis Pereira Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgetown Divide Kelsey ca Posts: 868	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing I tried for a couple of hours to to get both spark and throttle rods in no luck . So I took the whole steering assembly apart with the steering shaft out of the way and the upper bushing loose so I could align the rods I started them in then drove the upper bushing home. Installed steering shaft and put it all back together the Ford Service Bulletins starting at page 240 had all the info I needed to do this right the first time . Now the next problem the repop control rod arms are too small and need to be drilled but they look real weak / cheap . A little reaming and filing their on the little springs and pins were fun but seem to work fine . __________________ Dennis in Kelsey ca Last edited by Dennis Pereira; 11-20-2021 at 08:24 PM.

11-21-2021, 10:19 PM	#14
Wagga A'er Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wagga Wagga - Australia Posts: 78	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing Just ream the hole up slightly to enable the tube to fit.

11-22-2021, 05:42 PM	#15
Dennis Pereira Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgetown Divide Kelsey ca Posts: 868	Re: Steering Column Upper Bushing The steering assembly is mounted and the front wheels turn right and left on to the next step. Thanks for the help. __________________ Dennis in Kelsey ca