The Ford Barn

dpson · 05-11-2014, 06:56 AM

1931 Roadster: when I pulled the steering column from the steering box to replace the throttle and spark rods I noticed that the steering column bracket bolts were difficult to remove, like they were under pressure. With the steering column removed the steering shaft is not centered in the bracket, it is about an inch to the right. Vertically it looks okay, so it doesn't appear to be frame sag. I can probably force it back into place when I put the column back on, but suspect this could cause binding in the upper shaft bearing.

Is there any kind of adjustment to fix this? For example can I shim under the box where it attaches to the frame to move the steering shaft to the left?

Thoughts?

Barry B./ Ma. · 05-11-2014, 07:21 AM

Sounds like your frame has a bow in it. I worked on a pickup that had a 1" bow in the frame and was able to straighten it using a heavy chain and a hydraulic jack. That was done without the fender and side apron on.

Marshall V. Daut · 05-11-2014, 09:14 AM

Yup. I experienced the same thing while restoring a friend's 1929 "Cabriolet from Hell"= THE absolute worst Model A I had ever worked on! The body was finally mounted on the frame and everything tweaked to line up so that the doors would open and close properly in tandem with the top being raised and lowered. That was quite timing-consuming, believe me! By the time that was completed, the steering column was installed. What the ----??? It was almost two inches to the right of the gas tank bracket! I had never seen that before, but I wasn't terribly surprised, given how beat to death this poor car had been. Was I p*ssed!!! Removing the body, splash aprons and everything else just to straighten the left frame rail was out of the question, given my state of mind and mood. I figured, "What the heck? What have I got to lose?" So, I pulled the steering column towards the driver's door, and guess what? The frame rail obligingly twisted and the steering column got closer to the gas tank bracket!!! Nothing broke and the column was not bent. I did have to exert a slight downward pressure on the column once it got close to the gas tank bracket so that it would clear. I made a couple more less dramatic pulls towards the driver's door until the column was directly beneath the saddle portion. Success! Just to be sure that I hadn't improperly bent the frame to the point that it would "relax" back to its previous bent condition, I let the car sit overnight. The next day, the column was still in proper alignment; the frame had not gone back to its bent state. I bolted the column to the gas tank and then made a final tightening of the two frame mounting bolts. Everything went back together perfectly.
This was 13 years ago and that Cabriolet is still one of the easiest steering Model A's I ever rebuilt. It handles well and shows no lingering signs of my strong-arm technique.
Does this help with your problem?
Marshall

dpson · 05-11-2014, 06:05 PM

That sounds like a great solution, I'll give a try and let you know how it comes out.

machine girl · 05-11-2014, 06:17 PM

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Marshall, you explained that very well, all our f100 steering conversions are done on exact modern fixtures. ( have done 100+ in the last 20 years) so when we get a call that the box is off . we try our best to help. but never tried your way, will try this on one of our old frames .thanks.

05-11-2014, 06:56 AM	#1
dpson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 223	Steering shaft misalignment 1931 Roadster: when I pulled the steering column from the steering box to replace the throttle and spark rods I noticed that the steering column bracket bolts were difficult to remove, like they were under pressure. With the steering column removed the steering shaft is not centered in the bracket, it is about an inch to the right. Vertically it looks okay, so it doesn't appear to be frame sag. I can probably force it back into place when I put the column back on, but suspect this could cause binding in the upper shaft bearing. Is there any kind of adjustment to fix this? For example can I shim under the box where it attaches to the frame to move the steering shaft to the left? Thoughts?

05-11-2014, 07:21 AM	#2
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: Steering shaft misalignment Sounds like your frame has a bow in it. I worked on a pickup that had a 1" bow in the frame and was able to straighten it using a heavy chain and a hydraulic jack. That was done without the fender and side apron on.

05-11-2014, 09:14 AM	#3
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,630	Re: Steering shaft misalignment Yup. I experienced the same thing while restoring a friend's 1929 "Cabriolet from Hell"= THE absolute worst Model A I had ever worked on! The body was finally mounted on the frame and everything tweaked to line up so that the doors would open and close properly in tandem with the top being raised and lowered. That was quite timing-consuming, believe me! By the time that was completed, the steering column was installed. What the ----??? It was almost two inches to the right of the gas tank bracket! I had never seen that before, but I wasn't terribly surprised, given how beat to death this poor car had been. Was I p*ssed!!! Removing the body, splash aprons and everything else just to straighten the left frame rail was out of the question, given my state of mind and mood. I figured, "What the heck? What have I got to lose?" So, I pulled the steering column towards the driver's door, and guess what? The frame rail obligingly twisted and the steering column got closer to the gas tank bracket!!! Nothing broke and the column was not bent. I did have to exert a slight downward pressure on the column once it got close to the gas tank bracket so that it would clear. I made a couple more less dramatic pulls towards the driver's door until the column was directly beneath the saddle portion. Success! Just to be sure that I hadn't improperly bent the frame to the point that it would "relax" back to its previous bent condition, I let the car sit overnight. The next day, the column was still in proper alignment; the frame had not gone back to its bent state. I bolted the column to the gas tank and then made a final tightening of the two frame mounting bolts. Everything went back together perfectly. This was 13 years ago and that Cabriolet is still one of the easiest steering Model A's I ever rebuilt. It handles well and shows no lingering signs of my strong-arm technique. Does this help with your problem? Marshall

05-11-2014, 06:05 PM	#4
dpson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 223	Re: Steering shaft misalignment That sounds like a great solution, I'll give a try and let you know how it comes out.

05-11-2014, 06:17 PM	#5
machine girl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 422	Re: Steering shaft misalignment Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Marshall, you explained that very well, all our f100 steering conversions are done on exact modern fixtures. ( have done 100+ in the last 20 years) so when we get a call that the box is off . we try our best to help. but never tried your way, will try this on one of our old frames .thanks.