33/34 steering box worm
 

Has any one pressed the worm off the steering shaft and replaced it , (pressed the new one back on?.)
I seem to remember a while back some had,any advice will be appreciated.
I bought a new RHD set from 3rd gen and want to build up a spare box.
Lawrie

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

I heat the worm in oil and cool the shaft in dry ice.

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

Brian ,how do you get the old one off
Lawrie

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

Lawrie You can cut it parallel with a cut of wheel and split the last 2mm of it with a chisel , if you don't want to save it ,

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

Ted, I want to save it as its not completly buggered, But I will try that on a real rusty one I have that has been cut off half way up the shaft.
Is the new one just pressed on?
Lawrie

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

Check out the Dennis Lacey Pickup thread over on the H.A.M.B. He shows a tool he made to do the job easily and save the worm and protect the shaft. Also a very good pictorial on rebuilding the early steering boxes.

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

here's the tools i made for doing it. not shown is a hunk of 1" thick steel with a hole thru it. thats for using a good two jaw puller to get it off, and the base to press on when installing. i made a small bit on the lathe the size of the shaft with a slot milled in the the key on the worm to clear when pulling it off, and the aluminum block grabs the shaft for pressing the new one on. i have done a few, and found that when just replacing them, it goes well, no heat needed. however, when doing one that i had shortened a shaft, so the worm was going on to virgin territory, it got tight, and a slight warming with a propane torch got the job done. if you measure the shaft woth the worm off, you will find its about 5 thou smaller from ford pressing the gear on that tight.

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

Lawrie,
I have a tool made up that clamps the shaft similar to that shown above.. It makes the job relatively easy, assuming you have a tall enough press... Prior to that, I would clamp the shaft into a large vise very firmly... I would then use a bearing splitter underneath the worm gear. Most bearing splitter sets have threaded holes in them. I would use these holes to run bolts through and against the vice to press off.

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

get a grade 8, 7/16 fine thread 2" bolt and a nut that a 5/8" wrench will fit, screw the nut down on the threads, stick the end of the bolt in your shaft, hold the worm with a good pair of gloves and drive the worm off. My memory may be wrong and it could take a 3/8" bolt. Whatever, it works and I have remove several worms that way. Get a axle knocker nut, screw it on the wheel end of the shaft and you can hold the shaft and drive the new worm on like putting a head on a hammer handle.

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

I have put a piece of pipe under the worm and beat the shaft out with a hammer. The shaft/pipe /and worm were hung in the jaws of my vice. It requires holding a driver with vice grips. You need a driver with a notch so you don't destroy the key in the worm and also make it harder to move the worm.

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

heres another pic of the tools that i couldnt find yesterday. note the pin made to pull the old one off. small pilot on the end to fit inside the shaft, then the step is the size of the shaft, key slot milled in, and the big end with a center for the puller. works good, used it several times, lawrie could make that in his sleep

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

Thanks for all the help, I now have a good grasp on how the worm is on and how to remove and replace it with the new one.
I will post some picks when I,m doing the job , that will be next month as we are away in the 33 for a few weeks from next week.
.Lawrie

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

Where you goin now Lawrie?

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

Just a short few weeks out to Winton and Lark quarry,about 1200 each way, for those who dont know what Lark quarry is ,its the fossilised remains of a dinosaur stampede .
Lawrie

Re: 33/34 steering box worm
 

A quick google search of lark quarry proved that whenever I visit Australia that’d be a great place to visit. Have fun!