The Ford Barn

37coop · 08-09-2013, 04:39 AM

hi guys,,yet another bit of advice needed. my newley restored steering wheel rubs against the top of the steering column when the nut is done up,if I loosen it enough to stop the rubbing the wheel will be able to wobble side to side, the rear window is now in so I cant pull out the horn/light tube without bending it as the tube is too long and the coupe body too small ..cant think how to get out of this one , cheers ..jim.

THEBAV39RUMBLECONV · 08-09-2013, 05:23 AM

Hey '37 Coupe,
I just had the same problem when I put a reproduction wheel on my '39. Here is the deal. If you have the horn button and rod out it wont rub. Make sure that you have the correct headlight/horn switch secured properly down by the steering box. That is the reason why mine rubbed.
Chris Bavis
[email protected]

Terry,OH · 08-09-2013, 06:06 AM

It is possible the tube has moved in the steering drop toward the wheel. See if the tube has room to move on the steering box, you MAY BE able to move the tube down by loosing the clamp on the box and loosen the wheel place wood shims between the wheel and the column and tighten the wheel, be careful not to move it too far, or the column lock may not work.

37coop · 08-09-2013, 03:29 PM

thanks guys ,I,ll try a bit of jiggery pokery tomorrow,fingers crossed.

Kube · 08-09-2013, 03:52 PM

The repop wheels are poop. The taper they machine in is correct but is either too deep or not deep enough. Too deep requires shimming the column. Too shallow requires grinding the taper in the wheel.
If you are installing the wheel you removed from the car and it fit properly before and you did not disturb the column (tube) then there's no reason you should have a problem now. As you apparently DO have a problem now I suspect it is not the wheel that was on the car and / or the column location was changed.
You can move the column (tube) by loosening the clamp at the bottom of the tube and the bolts holding the ignition / lock mechanism to the dash. It sounds as if you'll need to move it down just a tad. There is more than adaquet clearance for the lock to work so no need to worry about that.
Or, if you want to "cheat", place one thickness of masking tape on the taper of the column shaft and reinstall the wheel.
As you are reluctant (understandably) to remove the wheel / horn rod, etc. I'd suggest moving the column (tube) down a hair.

37coop · 08-09-2013, 04:46 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

thanks kube,it is the original wheel and tube..i tore the whole car apart 23 years ago , got bored and got into classic bikes,now on the home straight of finishing and things are not as straight forward as if I did the job years ago ,cheers jim.

08-09-2013, 04:39 AM	#1
37coop Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: kent , u.k Posts: 519	39 coupe ..streeringwheel rubs againstte steering column when tightened hi guys,,yet another bit of advice needed. my newley restored steering wheel rubs against the top of the steering column when the nut is done up,if I loosen it enough to stop the rubbing the wheel will be able to wobble side to side, the rear window is now in so I cant pull out the horn/light tube without bending it as the tube is too long and the coupe body too small ..cant think how to get out of this one , cheers ..jim.

08-09-2013, 05:23 AM	#2
THEBAV39RUMBLECONV Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Middletown Maryland Posts: 22	Re: 39 coupe ..streeringwheel rubs againstte steering column when tightened Hey '37 Coupe, I just had the same problem when I put a reproduction wheel on my '39. Here is the deal. If you have the horn button and rod out it wont rub. Make sure that you have the correct headlight/horn switch secured properly down by the steering box. That is the reason why mine rubbed. Chris Bavis [email protected]

08-09-2013, 06:06 AM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,188	Re: 39 coupe ..streeringwheel rubs againstte steering column when tightened It is possible the tube has moved in the steering drop toward the wheel. See if the tube has room to move on the steering box, you MAY BE able to move the tube down by loosing the clamp on the box and loosen the wheel place wood shims between the wheel and the column and tighten the wheel, be careful not to move it too far, or the column lock may not work.

08-09-2013, 03:29 PM	#4
37coop Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: kent , u.k Posts: 519	Re: 39 coupe ..streeringwheel rubs againstte steering column when tightened thanks guys ,I,ll try a bit of jiggery pokery tomorrow,fingers crossed.

08-09-2013, 03:52 PM	#5
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,856	Re: 39 coupe ..streeringwheel rubs againstte steering column when tightened The repop wheels are poop. The taper they machine in is correct but is either too deep or not deep enough. Too deep requires shimming the column. Too shallow requires grinding the taper in the wheel. If you are installing the wheel you removed from the car and it fit properly before and you did not disturb the column (tube) then there's no reason you should have a problem now. As you apparently DO have a problem now I suspect it is not the wheel that was on the car and / or the column location was changed. You can move the column (tube) by loosening the clamp at the bottom of the tube and the bolts holding the ignition / lock mechanism to the dash. It sounds as if you'll need to move it down just a tad. There is more than adaquet clearance for the lock to work so no need to worry about that. Or, if you want to "cheat", place one thickness of masking tape on the taper of the column shaft and reinstall the wheel. As you are reluctant (understandably) to remove the wheel / horn rod, etc. I'd suggest moving the column (tube) down a hair. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

08-09-2013, 04:46 PM	#6
37coop Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: kent , u.k Posts: 519	Re: 39 coupe ..streeringwheel rubs againstte steering column when tightened Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) thanks kube,it is the original wheel and tube..i tore the whole car apart 23 years ago , got bored and got into classic bikes,now on the home straight of finishing and things are not as straight forward as if I did the job years ago ,cheers jim.