The Ford Barn

Zax40 · 10-07-2024, 12:08 PM

Is it possible to bench test a 40 Ford steering box to see if it is in need of a rebuild? If so could someone share the process please?

I got a complete 40 column from a friend and want to swap it in to replace the one in my 40 that is very worn out. Visually it looks to be in good shape and even has a column drop with working key.

alchemy · 10-07-2024, 02:22 PM

See if it spins smoothly. Then have a friend grab the pitman arm while you grab the wheel to check for looseness. Other than that I don’t know what you could check without some disassembly.

rockfla · 10-07-2024, 02:35 PM

Clamp it in a vice and tie a piece of rope around a cinder block then through the steering arm and turn the steering wheel!!!

Heard · 10-07-2024, 03:39 PM

You might want to look up the video that Mart did on rebuilding the steering box. This video will tell you what you need to know.

Heard

Mart · 10-07-2024, 05:52 PM

Put the box in a vise and push the pitman arm back and forth. If you can reverse drive the box from the pitman arm end it indicates that things are at least ok.
If you feel the free play in the pitman arm at full lock there should be a lot which will diminish to zero at the straight ahead position and increase again as it gets to the other lock.
If everything seems smooth when operated as above it is a good indicator. Before use, though I would remove the top plate and visually inspect the worm, looking for broken surfaces on the contact areas between the worm and roller. Check the roller too.

If all the surfaces are good, bolt it back together, adjust it and fit it.

Mart.

Zax40 · 10-07-2024, 06:29 PM

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Thanks for the advice everyone. I broke the column down after work today and took a quick video doing what Mart suggested with moving the Pittman arm. If felt pretty smooth and consistent lock to lock. Let me know what you think.

https://youtu.be/Qiob-md2fro?si=TxQrvrdZE-ofS4mm

Also, love your videos Mart

19Fordy · 10-08-2024, 01:40 PM

Zax40: Looks and sounds good. However, if you perform the cinder block test: "Clamp it in a vice and tie a piece of rope around a cinder block then through the steering arm and turn the steering wheel!!!" as suggested by rockfla does it still perform as well?

Zax40 · 10-08-2024, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Zax40: Looks and sounds good. However, if you perform the cinder block test: "Clamp it in a vice and tie a piece of rope around a cinder block then through the steering arm and turn the steering wheel!!!" as suggested by rockfla does it still perform as well?

Well, it doesn't have a steering wheel attached currently. But I'm sure I could rig up a test where the Pittman arm has some resistance.

I plan to also do the visual inspection Mart recommended.

Today I spent my shop time after work degreasing the box. It was pretty grungy. Tomorrow or Thursday I should be able to do some more investigation.

Zax40 · 10-09-2024, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heard

You might want to look up the video that Mart did on rebuilding the steering box. This video will tell you what you need to know.

Heard

I searched through Mart's youtube channel and couldn't find a video on rebuilding a steering box.

Mart · 10-09-2024, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zax40

I searched through Mart's youtube channel and couldn't find a video on rebuilding a steering box.

Hey! So did I! I couldn't find it either. I thought it might be part of the 32 build, but couldn't find it. If I find it I will post a link.

Mart.

Zax40 · 10-09-2024, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mart

Hey! So did I! I couldn't find it either. I thought it might be part of the 32 build, but couldn't find it. If I find it I will post a link.

Mart.

Thank you

Mart · 10-09-2024, 10:53 AM

I found it. No mention of steering in the title. (fixed now) No wonder it was hard to find. It's in amongst a lot of other stuff.

Link to whole video: https://youtu.be/fUCU3AKpEVg?list=PL...tv75lSAjWveT0o

This link goes directly to the steering box segment: https://youtu.be/fUCU3AKpEVg?list=PL...AjWveT0o&t=832

Zax40 · 10-09-2024, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mart

I found it. No mention of steering in the title. No wonder it is hard to find. It's in amongst a lot of other stuff.

Link to whole video: https://youtu.be/fUCU3AKpEVg?list=PL...tv75lSAjWveT0o

This link goes directly to the steering box segment: https://youtu.be/fUCU3AKpEVg?list=PL...AjWveT0o&t=832

Thank you very much. I'll watch it after work today.

10-07-2024, 12:08 PM	#1
Zax40 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 433	Bench testing a steering box (40 Ford) Is it possible to bench test a 40 Ford steering box to see if it is in need of a rebuild? If so could someone share the process please? I got a complete 40 column from a friend and want to swap it in to replace the one in my 40 that is very worn out. Visually it looks to be in good shape and even has a column drop with working key.

10-07-2024, 02:22 PM	#2
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 889	Re: Bench testing a steering box (40 Ford) See if it spins smoothly. Then have a friend grab the pitman arm while you grab the wheel to check for looseness. Other than that I don’t know what you could check without some disassembly.

10-07-2024, 02:35 PM	#3
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 4,804	Re: Bench testing a steering box (40 Ford) Clamp it in a vice and tie a piece of rope around a cinder block then through the steering arm and turn the steering wheel!!! Last edited by rockfla; 10-07-2024 at 03:02 PM.

10-07-2024, 03:39 PM	#4
Heard Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 621	Re: Bench testing a steering box (40 Ford) You might want to look up the video that Mart did on rebuilding the steering box. This video will tell you what you need to know. Heard __________________ Do I look like I have a plan B?

10-07-2024, 05:52 PM	#5
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,080	Re: Bench testing a steering box (40 Ford) Put the box in a vise and push the pitman arm back and forth. If you can reverse drive the box from the pitman arm end it indicates that things are at least ok. If you feel the free play in the pitman arm at full lock there should be a lot which will diminish to zero at the straight ahead position and increase again as it gets to the other lock. If everything seems smooth when operated as above it is a good indicator. Before use, though I would remove the top plate and visually inspect the worm, looking for broken surfaces on the contact areas between the worm and roller. Check the roller too. If all the surfaces are good, bolt it back together, adjust it and fit it. Mart.

10-07-2024, 06:29 PM	#6
Zax40 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 433	Re: Bench testing a steering box (40 Ford) Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the advice everyone. I broke the column down after work today and took a quick video doing what Mart suggested with moving the Pittman arm. If felt pretty smooth and consistent lock to lock. Let me know what you think. https://youtu.be/Qiob-md2fro?si=TxQrvrdZE-ofS4mm Also, love your videos Mart

10-08-2024, 01:40 PM	#7
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,603	Re: Bench testing a steering box (40 Ford) Zax40: Looks and sounds good. However, if you perform the cinder block test: "Clamp it in a vice and tie a piece of rope around a cinder block then through the steering arm and turn the steering wheel!!!" as suggested by rockfla does it still perform as well?

10-09-2024, 10:53 AM	#12
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,080	Re: Bench testing a steering box (40 Ford) I found it. No mention of steering in the title. (fixed now) No wonder it was hard to find. It's in amongst a lot of other stuff. Link to whole video: https://youtu.be/fUCU3AKpEVg?list=PL...tv75lSAjWveT0o This link goes directly to the steering box segment: https://youtu.be/fUCU3AKpEVg?list=PL...AjWveT0o&t=832 Last edited by Mart; 10-09-2024 at 12:33 PM.