Early 28, Steering Column Upper Bearing

[Charles Reese]

Original beyond repair, have a Bratton repro.
(1) I don’t recall the original having a ‘collar’ machined at the steering wheel end (photo). (am concerned the control rods will set too high relative to the notches on the sector … rods are at plater so cannot verify this as a problem or not)
(2) should I file this ‘collar’ down so the bearing fits flush at the entrance to the column?

Photos of original or correct restoration would be greatly appreciated.

[RHD]

Usually the 28 and some 29 vehicles had 2 side screws to locate and hold the top bush in place. These 2 screw holes will give you the correct height. You will notice 2 holes in the column. I know than some repro top bushes do not have locating screws. Can you compare to the original?

[Charles Reese]

it comes with one hole drilled/tapped ... due to variances, they omit the 2nd hole. when i align the drilled/tapped hole the control rod holes are grossly off center so will have to drill/tap my own for my own alignment ... my concern is with the 'collar' sticking up ... should the face of the bearing stick up like in the pix or should it be at the same level as end of the tubing?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Here is my unrestored 9-27-28 bushing. It needs to be cleaned up to take a better picture, but it does stick up above the lip on the column.

[700rpm]

The collar belongs there. Don't remove it. The locating screws were only used in 28/29. By 1930 Ford had gone to a V that was cast into the bushing and which cantered it in the column. Some of the repros have a small allen screw instead of the V. Your 28 should come with one screw hole and two screws. You'll have to drill the second hole when you get your bearing in place with the first screw. Use a #21 drill and a 10-32 tap. Make sure your second hole is centered; use a centering drill if you have one. Drill only the depth of the threads of the screws. Also soak your bearing for a day or two in oil so it slips over your steering column smoothly. You may have to dress down the inside of your column housing to get the bearing to fit snugly but without forcing it. I use a brake cylinder hone to do this.

I am uncertain about real early 28's, but this is how it was in general production.

[RHD]

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Another picture of an original 28 top bush.
Hope this helps.
Les.

[Charles Reese]

as they say, a pix is worth .....
thanks to all for the support ... goal is to post pix of the finished vehicle later this summer...

[Tom Wesenberg]

Here's a better picture of the 7 tooth steering upper bushing.
This is a spare column for parts, and I hope I can save the bushing, because right now it looks perfect. The column is rust pitted.

[Charles Reese]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I hope I can save the bushing, because right now it looks perfect.

Mine was crumbled so i didn't recognize the differences in dimensions. good luck with the 'save' I did save the metal clip inside that holds the cotton wick (lubrication) .. am working on how to save/install that for the sake originality

As always, thanks to everyone for your support ...

[Mad Mac]

This is only slightly off topic. I recently bought a Model A steering column for my 1929 open cab pickup. I bought it over the phone without seeing it first and in my ignorance I assumed all Model A steering columns were the same. But when it arrived it had an ugly "collar" thing around the top that was quite different from the attractive one shown in post#8 above. It would be great if someone can post a photo of the different styles of steering column for the different years.
(Moderator - make this a new thread if you wish).

[Tom Wesenberg]

It sounds like you bought a 2 tooth steering with the 1930-1 style column on it. I'll have to see if I have one to take a picture, but I don't think I do.