The Ford Barn

cdan34 · 06-30-2025, 01:31 PM

In trying to take the slack out in my steering. I've run into a problem, the steering box adjustment screw is not going down to the position it was when I took it off to clean threads on screw and lock nut. The sector shaft seems to be in a higher position, although the steering seems to work. The front of car is jacked up wheels turn. My question is why is the sector shaft now in a higher position in steering box than before? I'm missing something, I thought I would be adjusting down.

Thanks in advance.

Bruce_MO · 06-30-2025, 05:11 PM

That does seem strange. Are you sure itÂ’s not just your imagination, I.e., when you cleaned the crud off it, it now looks longer and sticks out further??? The only thing I might suggest is to turn the wheel almost all the way either right or left to maximize play between the worm and sector, and then see if you can tap (gently) the sector Â“Â‘downÂ” through the thrust screw hole. If you get under the car and see if you can push/pull the pitman arm and sector up and down relative to the nose of the housing, and push it Â“downÂ” against the thrust washer in the housing, then tighten the thrust screw.

Good luck. IÂ’ve never felt like I made much improvement in a worn steering box, without doing a major overhaul.

Bruce_MO · 06-30-2025, 05:13 PM

That does seem strange. Are you sure it’s not just your imagination, I.e., when you cleaned the crud off it, it now looks longer and sticks out further??? The only thing I might suggest is to turn the wheel almost all the way either right or left to maximize play between the worm and sector, and then see if you can tap (gently) the sector “‘down” through the thrust screw hole. If you get under the car and see if you can push/pull the pitman arm and sector up and down relative to the nose of the housing, and push it “down” against the thrust washer in the housing, then tighten the thrust screw.

Good luck. I’ve never felt like I made much improvement in a worn steering box, without doing a major overhaul.

Ken/Alabama · 06-30-2025, 09:08 PM

The Lincoln Zephyr box doesn’t work just like the Ford units. The Lincoln box uses shims underneath the sector shaft to set the lash and then the screw in the top is there to hold the sector from trying to move upward and keeps the sector and worm in consistent mesh. I went through all this with my Zephyr.

petehoovie · 06-30-2025, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

The Lincoln Zephyr box doesn’t work just like the Ford units. The Lincoln box uses shims underneath the sector shaft to set the lash and then the screw in the top is there to hold the sector from trying to move upward and keeps the sector and worm in consistent mesh. I went through all this with my Zephyr.

cdan34 · 07-01-2025, 01:17 AM

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I took out the steering box many years ago, found one in better condition and did rebuild it at the time. As I find now my prior adjustment was a bit too loose, I could have messed up with the thrust washer, so time for disassembly. I'm still puzzled by the sector shaft being a bit higher than before....Ah my age is showing !

Thanks Bruce and Ken

06-30-2025, 01:31 PM	#1
cdan34 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley, Calif. Posts: 126	'39 Lincoln steering In trying to take the slack out in my steering. I've run into a problem, the steering box adjustment screw is not going down to the position it was when I took it off to clean threads on screw and lock nut. The sector shaft seems to be in a higher position, although the steering seems to work. The front of car is jacked up wheels turn. My question is why is the sector shaft now in a higher position in steering box than before? I'm missing something, I thought I would be adjusting down. Thanks in advance.

06-30-2025, 05:11 PM	#2
Bruce_MO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 532	Re: '39 Lincoln steering That does seem strange. Are you sure itÂ’s not just your imagination, I.e., when you cleaned the crud off it, it now looks longer and sticks out further??? The only thing I might suggest is to turn the wheel almost all the way either right or left to maximize play between the worm and sector, and then see if you can tap (gently) the sector Â“Â‘downÂ” through the thrust screw hole. If you get under the car and see if you can push/pull the pitman arm and sector up and down relative to the nose of the housing, and push it Â“downÂ” against the thrust washer in the housing, then tighten the thrust screw. Good luck. IÂ’ve never felt like I made much improvement in a worn steering box, without doing a major overhaul.

06-30-2025, 05:13 PM	#3
Bruce_MO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 532	Re: '39 Lincoln steering That does seem strange. Are you sure it’s not just your imagination, I.e., when you cleaned the crud off it, it now looks longer and sticks out further??? The only thing I might suggest is to turn the wheel almost all the way either right or left to maximize play between the worm and sector, and then see if you can tap (gently) the sector “‘down” through the thrust screw hole. If you get under the car and see if you can push/pull the pitman arm and sector up and down relative to the nose of the housing, and push it “down” against the thrust washer in the housing, then tighten the thrust screw. Good luck. I’ve never felt like I made much improvement in a worn steering box, without doing a major overhaul.

07-01-2025, 01:17 AM	#6
cdan34 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley, Calif. Posts: 126	Re: '39 Lincoln steering Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I took out the steering box many years ago, found one in better condition and did rebuild it at the time. As I find now my prior adjustment was a bit too loose, I could have messed up with the thrust washer, so time for disassembly. I'm still puzzled by the sector shaft being a bit higher than before....Ah my age is showing ! Thanks Bruce and Ken