The Ford Barn

cbabek · 11-13-2022, 12:49 PM

All,

I have a 37 gemmer style steering box in a 36 and I am having some backlash issues.
when the sector is in the middle and the gears are adjusted with minimal drag - when the wheel is turned to either left or right there is significant play in the box.
I replaced the worm gear that looked a little worn with the same 18:1 gear.

same thing

about 5/16 to 3/8 play at the end of the pitman arm.

Pulled it apart again - gears not meshing tight when turned away from center

not sure what's going on here

is this not the right sector for this box ? are there other ratios other than 18 for this box. ?
II cant imagine this is correct.

any help would be appreciated

Andy · 11-13-2022, 01:54 PM

That is typical with good gears. The gears were designed to be tight in the middle and loose off center. This is so when the center position wears down and the sector is moved in, the box will not be excessively tight off center.

cbabek · 11-13-2022, 02:06 PM

i expected that - but its excessive - I wish I could post video - I would expect 3/16 or a 1/4 - but not 3/8

cbabek · 11-13-2022, 02:24 PM

Video link

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ivq8KG5XhDc

glennpm · 11-13-2022, 02:23 PM

Here are the directions

Ggmac · 11-13-2022, 03:34 PM

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When your wheel is turned , the pressure from the car is holding the pitman arm firm . Im not sure Im explaining this correctly but I hope you can imagine a car in hard left or right turn , theres no way the play could hurt anything.

Mart · 11-13-2022, 06:43 PM

The free play at the ends of travel is normal.
If you can't adjust all the free play out in the straight ahead position that is when you are in trouble.

Just get the play down to zero with the faintest hint of drag on the middle and don't worry about anything else.

I showed setting up an f1 box in a video. If I can find it I'll put a link here.

Mart.

Terry,OH · 11-14-2022, 08:01 AM

Is there play in the worm and steering shaft. there is a special washer on the top of the worm that is adjusted with gaskets to apply a lot of pressure to the worm and it's bearings and races.

NealinCA · 11-14-2022, 11:42 AM

Like Mart and others have said, adjust the play out in the centered/neutral position, but there is play designed into the box as you get off center. The force of the turn will load the gears in the box, eliminating that play when driving. That clearance (play) also allows the box to easily come back to center when coming out of a turn.

Neal

11-13-2022, 01:54 PM	#2
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,879	Re: 37 steering box issue That is typical with good gears. The gears were designed to be tight in the middle and loose off center. This is so when the center position wears down and the sector is moved in, the box will not be excessively tight off center.

11-13-2022, 02:06 PM	#3
cbabek Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Palm City Fla Posts: 10	Re: 37 steering box issue i expected that - but its excessive - I wish I could post video - I would expect 3/16 or a 1/4 - but not 3/8

11-13-2022, 02:24 PM	#4
cbabek Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Palm City Fla Posts: 10	Re: 37 steering box issue Video link https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ivq8KG5XhDc

11-13-2022, 03:34 PM	#6
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,375	Re: 37 steering box issue Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When your wheel is turned , the pressure from the car is holding the pitman arm firm . Im not sure Im explaining this correctly but I hope you can imagine a car in hard left or right turn , theres no way the play could hurt anything.

11-13-2022, 06:43 PM	#7
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,088	Re: 37 steering box issue The free play at the ends of travel is normal. If you can't adjust all the free play out in the straight ahead position that is when you are in trouble. Just get the play down to zero with the faintest hint of drag on the middle and don't worry about anything else. I showed setting up an f1 box in a video. If I can find it I'll put a link here. Mart.

11-14-2022, 08:01 AM	#8
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,187	Re: 37 steering box issue Is there play in the worm and steering shaft. there is a special washer on the top of the worm that is adjusted with gaskets to apply a lot of pressure to the worm and it's bearings and races.

11-14-2022, 11:42 AM	#9
NealinCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Coast, Calif. Posts: 868	Re: 37 steering box issue Like Mart and others have said, adjust the play out in the centered/neutral position, but there is play designed into the box as you get off center. The force of the turn will load the gears in the box, eliminating that play when driving. That clearance (play) also allows the box to easily come back to center when coming out of a turn. Neal