The Ford Barn

ole_Bill · 03-31-2014, 11:00 AM

I have several inches of play in the steering wheel of my '46 sedan. I understand there is an adjustment on the steering box that will take up some of this but it is not obvious to me how I do this. Suggestions?

NealinCA · 03-31-2014, 11:02 AM

Refer to this thread, as there is quite a bit of usefull info in there.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134527

It is possible that the worm and/or sector are worn beyond use. In that case, no amount of adjustment will help. These boxes are fairly simple to rebuild and parts are readily available.

Hope that helps.

Neal

Old Henry · 03-31-2014, 12:26 PM

terry · 03-31-2014, 07:45 PM

I once had a 48 ford pickup with this problem and removed one of the shims underneath the end plate of the steering box. It worked! Most of the play was gone.
If I remember correctly, the shim was plastic and very thin. My first impression was,
how can something this thin make a difference, but it did.

jake197000 · 03-31-2014, 08:14 PM

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make sure tie rods king pins etc, arnt loose wheelbearings also.ck to see box mounting bolts arnt loose.if its all good you may be able to adjust the box but its likely worn out.

03-31-2014, 11:00 AM	#1
ole_Bill Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 70	"slop" in steering wheel I have several inches of play in the steering wheel of my '46 sedan. I understand there is an adjustment on the steering box that will take up some of this but it is not obvious to me how I do this. Suggestions? __________________ "I ain't no mechanic, my posts should make that obvious, I'm jus doin my best with what I got."

03-31-2014, 11:02 AM	#2
NealinCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Coast, Calif. Posts: 840	Re: "slop" in steering wheel Refer to this thread, as there is quite a bit of usefull info in there. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134527 It is possible that the worm and/or sector are worn beyond use. In that case, no amount of adjustment will help. These boxes are fairly simple to rebuild and parts are readily available. Hope that helps. Neal

03-31-2014, 12:26 PM	#3
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: "slop" in steering wheel __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

03-31-2014, 07:45 PM	#4
terry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 276	Re: "slop" in steering wheel I once had a 48 ford pickup with this problem and removed one of the shims underneath the end plate of the steering box. It worked! Most of the play was gone. If I remember correctly, the shim was plastic and very thin. My first impression was, how can something this thin make a difference, but it did.

03-31-2014, 08:14 PM	#5
jake197000 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 354	Re: "slop" in steering wheel Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) make sure tie rods king pins etc, arnt loose wheelbearings also.ck to see box mounting bolts arnt loose.if its all good you may be able to adjust the box but its likely worn out.