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Old 03-20-2023, 02:09 PM   #1
JimG1127
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Default need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

Hey everyone. I have a '29 roadster with a 7 tooth steering box. It has a lot of slop and play. I had wanted to replace it with a rebuilt 7 tooth box from a Model A vendor. None are available. Only for the 2 tooth. I cant switch to a 2 tooth because I would need to send in the core of a 2 tooth which I don't have. I see that some people go for the Ford F-100 steering box swap. Has anyone tried this? What were your results? Happy with it? I see C W Moss has it. It ain't cheap.
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Old 03-20-2023, 02:32 PM   #2
Bob C
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

Contact Randy Gross. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321628
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Old 03-20-2023, 03:24 PM   #3
Ray in La Mesa
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

I have one of Randy's F100 boxes & my shoulders & elbows love, it's like power steering!
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Old 03-20-2023, 04:21 PM   #4
Conaway2
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

A 7-tooth steering box can be rebuilt fairly easily and will work quite well - tight with no slop.

We have several A’s in our club with the F150 steering boxes with quite a bit of slop in them. I think they were installed some time ago, so are worn.

Good luck finding a good solution -
Jim
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Old 03-20-2023, 04:44 PM   #5
Joe K
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

Two tooth columns ARE found on Ebay. Price for complete (which you need since you can't use a 7 tooth column on a 2 tooth box) runs about $100 ON UP.

I've found two columns locally on Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace in the last year. Surprisingly both of these were the "gemmer" column (i.e. 29 transition) which you need if you want to keep the column "period original" with the larger sector top. One was $65 the other $100.

The Gemmer columns can be problematical to rebuild because the bearings/worm/cups are not reproduced. But it is possible to use the later 30-31 2 tooth internals to "upgrade" the box. But you have to replace EVERYTHING.

If you choose a 30-31 column, you CAN use a 28-29 wheel on it, but the distance between the spark/throttle levers becomes too large (the 28-29 wheel has a deeper "hub" IIRC.) The wheel rim sits a little "closer" to the driver.

It is possible to "mix" a 30-31 box on a 28-29 column, but you have to carefully study out and match to the various "length" options for the steering wheel shaft. I believe there are four.

Best is the 28-29 "gemmer" box/column rebuilt with more modern internals. Measure your worm location relative to the top thread BEFORE removal/replacement.

Be sure the worm is "concentric" with the steering shaft lest you create a "bind."

Snyder's was happy to take a return on an improperly mounted non-concentric worm/shaft assembly. It is an "interference fit" and assembly subject to "strong-arming." (i.e. not precise in execution.)

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Old 03-20-2023, 05:34 PM   #6
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

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IMO, the best way forward for the OP is to find a machine shop (you must have them over there) that can make eccentric sector shaft bushes and assemble the box so that maximum engagement between the sector and worm is obtained. Once correctly assembled, the 7 tooth steering box is actually quite good. I have one in my '28 Tudor. It had NO freeplay in it when I assembled it and now, about 15,000 miles later has about 1/2" at the edge of the steering wheel. I'm happy with that.
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Old 03-20-2023, 07:14 PM   #7
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

All good info. I'll look into these different options and come up with a plan.
Wish my Dad was still around. He was a machinist at Grumman Aircraft. He could have made anything I needed!
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Old 03-21-2023, 12:55 AM   #8
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

Quote:
Originally Posted by [email protected] View Post
All good info. I'll look into these different options and come up with a plan.
Wish my Dad was still around. He was a machinist at Grumman Aircraft. He could have made anything I needed!
I also wish my father was still here for very similar reasons. I might have been a little shit at times but heck, I miss that man.
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Old 03-21-2023, 06:45 AM   #9
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

I have 2 Model A’s that I bought in 1990, an early ’28 OCPU and a ’28 roadster. Both cars have the 7-tooth steering boxes and both had a lot of slop, leaked badly and were hard to steer when I bought them. Reading the Les Andrew’s book and other publications I managed to adjust the boxes and get most the slop out of the steering and filling the boxes with Penrite I got rid of all the leakage. I also had the steering and pitman arms rebuilt and added E-Z steer seats. I’m 88 years old now with bad shoulder problems but both cars are still easy for me to steer.
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Old 03-21-2023, 07:35 AM   #10
bobbader
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

Jim, I'd be happy to advise about this if/when you bring me your speedometer for a look-see. As you might note from the responses here, there may be more to consider about your steering issues than just simply replacing the box.

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Old 03-21-2023, 08:48 AM   #11
Dino's A
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

My father got one of the first of the Mel/Randy Gross steering boxes
and it still works fine. That was around 1994.
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Old 03-21-2023, 08:19 PM   #12
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

Thanks. I think I'll take it apart and see what looks worn. See what I can replace.
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Old 03-21-2023, 08:21 PM   #13
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

The Randy Gross steering box sounds like a good option. I've ready a lot of good things about them.
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Old 03-21-2023, 09:28 PM   #14
Fordestes
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

what changes to the chassis will one need to make when installing a Randy Gross steering box ? I have some f1 boxes I saved for that purpose, also what is the word on the installation of needle bearings and seal in the sector shaft of a 2 tooth box ? good or not worth the effort ?
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Old 03-22-2023, 08:52 AM   #15
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
I also wish my father was still here for very similar reasons. I might have been a little shit at times but heck, I miss that man.
You are not alone on that thought. I didn't think I was a little shit.
I KNEW I was a little shit.

The high school called my dad once and he was told I wasn't going
to graduate unless I straightened up with the grades.

My father threatened to burn my '28 Roadster pickup.

I graduated.
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Old 03-22-2023, 01:20 PM   #16
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

We had great fathers, we just did not realize it then. I miss mine too!!!
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Old 03-23-2023, 12:00 PM   #17
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

My '31 Tudor had the F100 pickup steering gear when I got it.

Feels like normal play for a modern manual steering gear.....maybe 1/2" at most.
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Old 03-23-2023, 12:13 PM   #18
JimG1127
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

That sounds great. The play in my steering box is at least 6 inches.
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Old 03-23-2023, 03:22 PM   #19
Lawrie
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

I fitted a 34 box to my 28ccpu,
I used the 34 housing, 30 sector housing and 34 NOS gears,28 column and wheel.
46 pitman arm.
works great. no mods needed to the chassis or column mounting
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Old 03-23-2023, 03:29 PM   #20
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Default Re: need to replace 7 tooth steering box.

I rebuilt my 7 tooth gearbox with new bushings, bearings and sector. I bought a new worm gear too but could not get the old one off the shaft so reused the original. End result was about 1" of play at the steering wheel.
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