Houston we have a problem....
 

So sunday I drove my A out to east boston to pick up a 3 ton press, it weighs about 350lbs and its stand that weighs about 100 lbs. I bought it so i could rebuild my stearing colum. (lets go back 11 mounths) I currentley have a 31 colum in my 28 ford the origonal 7 tooth was not driveable to much play in the wheel. The extra 31 I had was prity tight not great but ok but had the thereds smashed up at the top so I cut the threads off one bouth and welded the good threds from the 28 to the top of the good 31 colum and installed in my trunk. (back to presant) now this sunday i cruse home from east boston no problems and im about to take the sharp corner at the bottom of the hill that my street is off of, and all of a sudden wheel comes off in my hand. I rolled into someones yard and stoped pushed the car home while stearing it by pushing the tires I think when i welded it the heat made the meatle around the weld brittle and it finaly snaped with the extra 500lbs in the bed. luckaly no one was comeing around the corner and no one got hurt. Well this has kind of forced me to go and rebild myu steering colum asap I stoped by PV antique yesterday with the goal of ordering a worm gear for about 30 bucks and a colum for about 45$ thoughs were around the right prices for the colum and shaft sold sepretly for 30-31 but they only had a worm sold for the 28, no shaft you could buy them together for like 270$ wich is crazy when i can easly press the worm on the shaft myself. so botom line is i need a 28 steering shaft for a 7 tooth box dose any one know were to get one of dose anyone have an old one sitting around

Re: Houston we have a problem....
 

I'm pretty sure I have a nice 7 tooth worm and shaft.I will have to poke around.I don't bother with 7 tooths,any early cars I have had with them got transplants right off.I think I saved this one because it was so oily and greasy,and the bearings got robbed for a kingpin job.I am in Epping N.H.about 33 miles from PV.

Re: Houston we have a problem....
 

Check Bert's in Denver.

Re: Houston we have a problem....
 

It's not a good idea to have anything, in your steering system, welded.
MIKE :)

Re: Houston we have a problem....
 

Had that happen to me once while racing on a short track oval. Came off the fourth corner mashed the throttle, pulled on the steering wheel to adjust my butt a little and it came off in my hands. Thought for just a split second that I could put it back on, but realized I needed to get on the binders real quick. On a 1/4 mile oval turns come up real fast.

Re: Houston we have a problem....
 

Are you sure? How would you do it? I have done several and would like to know a EASY way.

Re: Houston we have a problem....
 

My plan is to heat the worm up real good exact temp needed is written down some were and cool the shaft down real good again exact tem needed is written down then use a jig my buddy made up that slides up shaft and holds worm aligned with shaft press till shaft is flush with end of worm then use a peice of pipe to press worm gear full distance down shaft. and if all elce fails give it to my buddy same buddy that made me the jig and have him do it for a 6 pack.

Re: Houston we have a problem....
 

Any chance THAT will damaged the new hardened Worm Gear thus damaging it and rendering it useless after only a few miles? Remember this little item has a critical wear point or contact area against the Sector.


Any chance you would be so kind as to post a picture of this fixture (jig) to help us visualize your process??


I'm with James in that from my experiences I can say that the word "easy" ain't in my vocabulary on 'Worm Gear Changing Day'!! :D

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