The Ford Barn

Ricosan · 09-17-2018, 03:38 AM

Hey guys,

I just had my steering box rebuilt with a steering box rebuild kit from the Early Ford Store. I’m very disappointed with the results.

The steering wheel has a couple of inches of play
Driving on the road. Very scary!

Steering is hard to turn and has to be wrestled back to center after a turn..

With both front wheels off the ground it is hard to turn and is jerky as it’s turned from side to side.

I tried to adjust the play out but there didn’t seem to be any adjustment left.

Front spring was replaced at the same visit.

Suggestions?

Richard

flatheadmurre · 09-17-2018, 04:09 AM

If your steering wheel doesn´t return to neutral by itself...it´s to tightly adjusted.
Is the sectorshaft itself nice and tight in the bushing ?
If not no adjustment will fix that !

Ggmac · 09-17-2018, 05:28 AM

What was it like before the rebuild ? Who did the rebuild on the box ?

Ricosan · 09-17-2018, 06:56 AM

I had about an inch of play in the steering wheel before the rebuild. My regular mechanic did the work. His shop specializes in antique autos. The inch of play was my only complaint with the steering before the rebuild. Does this sound like something that can be “adjusted” out or does the box need to come apart again?

Richard

deuce5wndw · 09-17-2018, 07:27 AM

Check your kingpins and tierod ends for grease too.

JSeery · 09-17-2018, 08:24 AM

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I would start by going back to the shop that rebuilt it and have them take a look at it.

uncle buck · 09-17-2018, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricosan

Hey guys,

Steering is hard to turn and has to be wrestled back to center after a turn..

Suggestions?

Richard

Unfortunately, I think that is a fault of the design of '36 and earlier steering boxes. That's a big reason we see later F1 / F100 boxes modified to fit '28 - '34 applications

JM 35 Sedan · 09-17-2018, 09:48 AM

It sounds like something was not done correctly during the rebuild. The early (pre 37) boxes all steer a bit hard for me. If you can't get your orriginal box corrected, you might consider contacting Neal in Ca. He is making a repro box, with a rolling sector gear, that is designed to bolt right in a 34.

Ricosan · 09-17-2018, 10:10 AM

I talked with the fellow who did the work. I’m going to take it in next week. In the mean time I was hoping there was some tinkering I could do myself..
Having to wrestle the steering takes the joy out of driving.

FlatheadTed · 09-17-2018, 03:11 PM

spell

FlatheadTed · 09-17-2018, 03:15 PM

delete

bobH · 09-17-2018, 05:02 PM

My experience was.... I got used parts from someone that posted here on this forum, all genuine, original Ford parts. Put it together myself, following instructions. Results were great, it worked perfectly (for a 34). I couldn't ask for more. So, I'm guessing that something went sour on your rebuild. If it were me, I'd be starting over.

35fordtn · 09-18-2018, 03:16 PM

There are three adjustment places on the 32-36 boxes. Do you have the ford service bulletins? It gives a simple method to adjust the box.

Ricosan · 09-19-2018, 02:21 AM

I have the adjustment bulletins. I included a copy with the rebuild kit. I don’t know if they followed them.
Richard

09-17-2018, 03:38 AM	#1
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	‘34 steering box Hey guys, I just had my steering box rebuilt with a steering box rebuild kit from the Early Ford Store. I’m very disappointed with the results. The steering wheel has a couple of inches of play Driving on the road. Very scary! Steering is hard to turn and has to be wrestled back to center after a turn.. With both front wheels off the ground it is hard to turn and is jerky as it’s turned from side to side. I tried to adjust the play out but there didn’t seem to be any adjustment left. Front spring was replaced at the same visit. Suggestions? Richard

09-17-2018, 04:09 AM	#2
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: ‘34 steering box If your steering wheel doesn´t return to neutral by itself...it´s to tightly adjusted. Is the sectorshaft itself nice and tight in the bushing ? If not no adjustment will fix that !

09-17-2018, 05:28 AM	#3
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,088	Re: ‘34 steering box What was it like before the rebuild ? Who did the rebuild on the box ?

09-17-2018, 06:56 AM	#4
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	Re: ‘34 steering box I had about an inch of play in the steering wheel before the rebuild. My regular mechanic did the work. His shop specializes in antique autos. The inch of play was my only complaint with the steering before the rebuild. Does this sound like something that can be “adjusted” out or does the box need to come apart again? Richard Last edited by Ricosan; 09-17-2018 at 08:30 AM.

09-17-2018, 07:27 AM	#5
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 900	Re: ‘34 steering box Check your kingpins and tierod ends for grease too.

09-17-2018, 08:24 AM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: ‘34 steering box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I would start by going back to the shop that rebuilt it and have them take a look at it.

09-17-2018, 09:48 AM	#8
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: ‘34 steering box It sounds like something was not done correctly during the rebuild. The early (pre 37) boxes all steer a bit hard for me. If you can't get your orriginal box corrected, you might consider contacting Neal in Ca. He is making a repro box, with a rolling sector gear, that is designed to bolt right in a 34. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

09-17-2018, 10:10 AM	#9
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	Re: ‘34 steering box I talked with the fellow who did the work. I’m going to take it in next week. In the mean time I was hoping there was some tinkering I could do myself.. Having to wrestle the steering takes the joy out of driving.

09-17-2018, 03:11 PM	#10
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,700	Re: ‘34 steering box spell __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters , Last edited by FlatheadTed; 09-17-2018 at 03:16 PM.

09-17-2018, 03:15 PM	#11
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,700	Re: ‘34 steering box delete __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters , Last edited by FlatheadTed; 09-17-2018 at 09:02 PM.

09-17-2018, 05:02 PM	#12
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,394	Re: ‘34 steering box My experience was.... I got used parts from someone that posted here on this forum, all genuine, original Ford parts. Put it together myself, following instructions. Results were great, it worked perfectly (for a 34). I couldn't ask for more. So, I'm guessing that something went sour on your rebuild. If it were me, I'd be starting over.

09-18-2018, 03:16 PM	#13
35fordtn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McMinnville, TN Posts: 2,327	Re: ‘34 steering box There are three adjustment places on the 32-36 boxes. Do you have the ford service bulletins? It gives a simple method to adjust the box.

09-19-2018, 02:21 AM	#14
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	Re: ‘34 steering box I have the adjustment bulletins. I included a copy with the rebuild kit. I don’t know if they followed them. Richard