The Ford Barn

47Merc · 05-02-2021, 07:28 PM

When replacing the roller wheel in a 1940 Ford steering box how do you secure the wheel shaft in position to stop it moving and coming out of the roller shaft?
Thanks

47Merc · 05-03-2021, 01:13 AM

Maybe I should re phrase that and ask How do you stop the pin coming out of the cross shaft? I have looked on Van Pelts site and others regarding rebuilding a steering box but have not found anything regarding this matter. Should I try to pin it or weld it or ?

FlatheadEric · 05-03-2021, 02:05 AM

I saw a 40 box recently where a washer had been slipped on to the end of the shaft and welded in place. The weld was crap and had broken allowing the shaft to slide out of the wheel and jamb against the steering box housing. OK if you want to just turn in one direction all of the time. Nasty if you are travelling at speed when the weld lets go.

I think the person that welded the washer to the shaft did not get enough heat into the shaft to stick the washer properly to the shaft.

Probably a good method if the thin washer is welded to the thick shaft correctly.

Terry,OH · 05-03-2021, 07:08 AM

Good spot welds (not tack welds) in several positions, usually no need for a washer since the pin is not supposed to turn.

47Merc · 05-03-2021, 09:46 PM

Quote. "I saw a 40 box recently where a washer had been slipped on to the end of the shaft and welded in place. The weld was crap and had broken allowing the shaft to slide out of the wheel and jamb against the steering box housing. OK if you want to just turn in one direction all of the time."

Exactly what happened in mine. It has chewed away the stiffener rib inside the box but fortunately hasn't jammed. It didn't have washers on it but the shaft appears to be hardened steel and the weld didn't stick to it. They must have been a press fit originally.
I'm thinking of center punching around the holes before the shaft goes in, putting loctite 406? on it and pressing the shaft in.

47Merc · 05-19-2021, 06:20 PM

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Further to the above post I have installed a new roller, worm, bearings, bush etc and have adjusted the free play in accordance with the instructions laid out on Van Pelts site. With it clamped in the vice, I have the adjustment so there is virtually no free play between the steering shaft and the pitman arm in the straight ahead position and only a slight drag is felt when moved but as it is turned in either direction the free play on the pitman arm becomes quite loose until at full lock there would be at least 1/4 inch of movement.
Is this normal or do you think the repo worm is not manufactured correctly to compensate for the movement. Or is it me?

rustythumb · 05-20-2021, 11:34 AM

that sounds normal.

47Merc · 05-20-2021, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustythumb

that sounds normal.

Thanks. I'll put it back in the car and try it.

Pete · 05-20-2021, 07:03 PM

That is a built in problem with that type of steering.

05-02-2021, 07:28 PM	#1
47Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 362	1940 Steering box When replacing the roller wheel in a 1940 Ford steering box how do you secure the wheel shaft in position to stop it moving and coming out of the roller shaft? Thanks

05-03-2021, 01:13 AM	#2
47Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 362	Re: 1940 Steering box Maybe I should re phrase that and ask How do you stop the pin coming out of the cross shaft? I have looked on Van Pelts site and others regarding rebuilding a steering box but have not found anything regarding this matter. Should I try to pin it or weld it or ?

05-03-2021, 02:05 AM	#3
FlatheadEric Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Raglan, New Zealand Posts: 97	Re: 1940 Steering box I saw a 40 box recently where a washer had been slipped on to the end of the shaft and welded in place. The weld was crap and had broken allowing the shaft to slide out of the wheel and jamb against the steering box housing. OK if you want to just turn in one direction all of the time. Nasty if you are travelling at speed when the weld lets go. I think the person that welded the washer to the shaft did not get enough heat into the shaft to stick the washer properly to the shaft. Probably a good method if the thin washer is welded to the thick shaft correctly. Last edited by FlatheadEric; 05-03-2021 at 02:18 AM.

05-03-2021, 07:08 AM	#4
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,743	Re: 1940 Steering box Good spot welds (not tack welds) in several positions, usually no need for a washer since the pin is not supposed to turn.

05-03-2021, 09:46 PM	#5
47Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 362	Re: 1940 Steering box Quote. "I saw a 40 box recently where a washer had been slipped on to the end of the shaft and welded in place. The weld was crap and had broken allowing the shaft to slide out of the wheel and jamb against the steering box housing. OK if you want to just turn in one direction all of the time." Exactly what happened in mine. It has chewed away the stiffener rib inside the box but fortunately hasn't jammed. It didn't have washers on it but the shaft appears to be hardened steel and the weld didn't stick to it. They must have been a press fit originally. I'm thinking of center punching around the holes before the shaft goes in, putting loctite 406? on it and pressing the shaft in.

05-19-2021, 06:20 PM	#6
47Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 362	Re: 1940 Steering box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Further to the above post I have installed a new roller, worm, bearings, bush etc and have adjusted the free play in accordance with the instructions laid out on Van Pelts site. With it clamped in the vice, I have the adjustment so there is virtually no free play between the steering shaft and the pitman arm in the straight ahead position and only a slight drag is felt when moved but as it is turned in either direction the free play on the pitman arm becomes quite loose until at full lock there would be at least 1/4 inch of movement. Is this normal or do you think the repo worm is not manufactured correctly to compensate for the movement. Or is it me?

05-20-2021, 11:34 AM	#7
rustythumb Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: orange co. ca. Posts: 178	Re: 1940 Steering box that sounds normal.

05-20-2021, 07:03 PM	#9
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,407	Re: 1940 Steering box That is a built in problem with that type of steering.