The Ford Barn

DaveBPT · 08-25-2022, 10:06 AM

Just figured out that the box in my car has a problem; dead spot near the center. Already replaced tie rods and rebuilt drag link. My concern is for safety. Just got the car and it now drives great except for the dead spot. Is it likely to lock up or otherwise cause a safety problem?

KULTULZ · 08-25-2022, 11:30 AM

The steering box can be adjusted. If after proper adjustment it still slops/binds, it will most likely have to be gone through.

The procedure is fully described in the correct year FORD SHOP MANUAL. No shortcuts or backyard mechanicing here. You have to follow it to a tee.

dmsfrr · 08-25-2022, 12:18 PM

Does your '56 have manual or power steering? The original design of the power assisted steering tends to have a vague feeling on-center in the steering.

Was your '56 built in the 1st or 2nd half of the model year? The steering boxes were updated to a slightly better 3 tooth version mid-model-year of '56. It has another gear tooth to help spread out wear to the surfaces.

DaveBPT · 08-25-2022, 05:41 PM

I have already adjusted the steering box per shop manual. Apparently the car is an early '56. The top looks like the left picture.

KULTULZ · 08-25-2022, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveBPT

I have already adjusted the steering box per shop manual.

Apparently the car is an early '56. The top looks like the left picture.

OK, is it a dead spot you feel or a binding feel?

There is ball socket @ the control valve that is serviceable and adjustable.

IF all other bushings are good in the linkage system (incl idler arm), this is your next step. Photos below. It will be described in the manual.

What type lubricant is in the box?

RB · 08-26-2022, 09:54 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Good info. however, can one identify the early box from the late by casting # or physical characteristics ? Thanks, Ron

rotorwrench · 08-26-2022, 11:09 AM

If it has a notchy spot in the center then there is likely a divot in the worm gear. This is where they wear the most so 90 out of 100 times that is the problem. The sector roller can wear too but most of the time it's the worm. This is why they eventually went to the recirculating ball type gear boxes.

dmsfrr · 08-26-2022, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB

Good info. however, can one identify the early box from the late by casting # or physical characteristics ? Thanks, Ron

The 5 pointed star on the top center of an 'early' steering box may be the most reliable method?
I suspect the pre-'58(?) full-sized cars, light duty trucks and T-Birds use three different styles of steering box specific for those vehicles and I don't have a list of their early/late part or casting numbers.

KULTULZ · 08-26-2022, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB

Good info. however, can one identify the early box from the late by casting # or physical characteristics ? Thanks, Ron

Yes, but there is no list of CASTING ID NOS or DATE CODES that I know of. Re-builders will have this info recorded.

You would have to get posters to enter the info from the box housings and catalog it.

KULTULZ · 08-26-2022, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

The 5 pointed star on the top center of an 'early' steering box may be the most reliable method?

That will be week/day and/or shift of the casting.

dmsfrr · 08-26-2022, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

The 5 pointed star on the top center of an 'early' steering box may be the most reliable method? ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

That will be week/day and/or shift of the casting.

This is the star I'm talking about. But I went and looked again, it has six points not five. (oops)
Outlined in yellow...
As far as I know only the mid-'56 and earlier steering boxes have them. Not that I've crawled into the engine compartments of other folk's vehicles, or know when Ford started using them.

KULTULZ · 08-26-2022, 09:43 PM

My mistake again. I thought you were describing a casting mark ...

Jwawhite · 02-20-2024, 01:20 PM

What is Good and what is Bad?

I have the original steering box and one from a Wrecking Yard (WY).
Today I disassembled the WY box, it was packed full of -remember this- the green bearing grease. The Sector shaft roller is rough, kinda notchy and won't spin freely. I see wear marks on the Face of the Worm gear from the Sector roller. I do not see pits on the faces of the worm gear including the race area. At the end of of one screw thread, there is a very small surface pit. In comparison with my disassembled Box, it may be the WY box was burned at one time? It has a brown darkness to the pieces that my box doesn't
Question: MY Sector shaft rolls freely and now I have a Worm gear and shaft from the WY. How does one tell if the gears are ok to reuse?? Further on the Bearings and Races in the Box, can they be reused?

08-25-2022, 10:06 AM	#1
DaveBPT Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Pleasant Hill, Mo Posts: 64	56 Steering box Just figured out that the box in my car has a problem; dead spot near the center. Already replaced tie rods and rebuilt drag link. My concern is for safety. Just got the car and it now drives great except for the dead spot. Is it likely to lock up or otherwise cause a safety problem?

08-25-2022, 11:30 AM	#2
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,485	Re: 56 Steering box The steering box can be adjusted. If after proper adjustment it still slops/binds, it will most likely have to be gone through. The procedure is fully described in the correct year FORD SHOP MANUAL. No shortcuts or backyard mechanicing here. You have to follow it to a tee. __________________ ***** We should have a contest. The player has to start at the very last post of a thread & then try to guess what the OP's original question was about ...

08-25-2022, 05:41 PM	#4
DaveBPT Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Pleasant Hill, Mo Posts: 64	Re: 56 Steering box I have already adjusted the steering box per shop manual. Apparently the car is an early '56. The top looks like the left picture.

08-26-2022, 09:54 AM	#6
RB Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: papillion nebraska Posts: 406	Re: 56 Steering box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good info. however, can one identify the early box from the late by casting # or physical characteristics ? Thanks, Ron

08-26-2022, 11:09 AM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: 56 Steering box If it has a notchy spot in the center then there is likely a divot in the worm gear. This is where they wear the most so 90 out of 100 times that is the problem. The sector roller can wear too but most of the time it's the worm. This is why they eventually went to the recirculating ball type gear boxes.

08-26-2022, 09:43 PM	#12
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,485	Re: 56 Steering box My mistake again. I thought you were describing a casting mark ... __________________ ***** We should have a contest. The player has to start at the very last post of a thread & then try to guess what the OP's original question was about ...

02-20-2024, 01:20 PM	#13
Jwawhite Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Now on the Land of Sun City West, AZ Posts: 405	Re: 56 Steering box What is Good and what is Bad? I have the original steering box and one from a Wrecking Yard (WY). Today I disassembled the WY box, it was packed full of -remember this- the green bearing grease. The Sector shaft roller is rough, kinda notchy and won't spin freely. I see wear marks on the Face of the Worm gear from the Sector roller. I do not see pits on the faces of the worm gear including the race area. At the end of of one screw thread, there is a very small surface pit. In comparison with my disassembled Box, it may be the WY box was burned at one time? It has a brown darkness to the pieces that my box doesn't Question: MY Sector shaft rolls freely and now I have a Worm gear and shaft from the WY. How does one tell if the gears are ok to reuse?? Further on the Bearings and Races in the Box, can they be reused?