The Ford Barn

gtdohn · 06-18-2019, 07:56 PM

How hard is it to rebuild a steering box in a 1948 f1? Does it have to be removed to do so?
Does anyone have a good one they would let go?

JSeery · 06-18-2019, 08:26 PM

How difficult it is to rebuild depends on what parts require replacement. If the worm gear needs to be replaced it is much more involved that if it just requires bearings and gaskets. I believe VanPlet's site has a section on steering box rebuild. It would be very difficult to attempt replace the upper bearing.

Lawrie · 06-18-2019, 09:10 PM

I have just done one on our 33, a bit of machining involved if you replace the bushes, but for sure not an in car job.
Lawrie

gtdohn · 06-18-2019, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrie

I have just done one on our 33, a bit of machining involved if you replace the bushes, but for sure not an in car job.
Lawrie

That's what I was afraid of. Would it make sense to attempt an adjustment first?

JSeery · 06-18-2019, 10:16 PM

If you follow the correct procedures. They are listed in the service manuals, but basically it involves adjusting the shims on the end plate first.

john in illinois · 06-19-2019, 07:29 AM

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JSeery · 06-19-2019, 10:18 AM

VanPelt data: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...tmt1937-48.htm

And rebuild article.

19Fordy · 06-19-2019, 10:33 AM

Just curious. Not trying to hijack this thread.
QUESTION: Can the 1948 ford steering box be used in a 1940 Ford?
Are parts or entire box interchangeable?
The reason I ask is because I have a 1947 Ford coupe steering column and box that I am saving for future use in my 40 Ford, if needed. Thanks.

Krylon32 · 06-19-2019, 10:37 AM

Contact NealinCA on here. He is one of the best steering box specialists in the business.

flatford8 · 06-19-2019, 11:55 AM

What’s the reason you think it needs a rebuild?....Mark

gtdohn · 06-19-2019, 03:28 PM

Just because it has so much play in it. Seems like 3-4 inches both ways.

Ggmac · 06-19-2019, 03:35 PM

Have you narrowed it down to the box and not a combination of tie rod ends , kingpins , and wheel bearings ?

1948F-1Pickup · 06-19-2019, 08:30 PM

^ That's a good (and valid) question.

I just did mine in the '48. It was not too bad, but I've done a bunch of Mustang boxes at a place that used to blueprint them...... so it wasn't too intense a job.
Sectors and worms are about an act of congress to get, unless you go repo parts. The rest of the parts are a pretty straightforward acquisition.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264082

gtdohn.... if you need help, ask. I work at a bearing manufacturer here in the US as a sales engineer and have considerable background on the subject.

gtdohn · 06-19-2019, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1948F-1Pickup

^ That's a good (and valid) question.

I just did mine in the '48. It was not too bad, but I've done a bunch of Mustang boxes at a place that used to blueprint them...... so it wasn't too intense a job.
Sectors and worms are about an act of congress to get, unless you go repo parts. The rest of the parts are a pretty straightforward acquisition.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264082

gtdohn.... if you need help, ask. I work at a bearing manufacturer here in the US as a sales engineer and have considerable background on the subject.

Thank you very much for that. I just might reach out to you. I have never done anything like it before, but I'm not afraid to try things.
I appreciate it.

FlatheadTed · 06-20-2019, 02:52 AM

Fordy
I believe they are the same box, 18 to one shaft on the 40 is 49" not sure on the 47,you could cut the shaft down though ,

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Just curious. Not trying to hijack this thread.
QUESTION: Can the 1948 ford steering box be used in a 1940 Ford?
Are parts or entire box interchangeable?
The reason I ask is because I have a 1947 Ford coupe steering column and box that I am saving for future use in my 40 Ford, if needed. Thanks.

Rayfry · 06-20-2019, 09:05 AM

Check out Rockauto. They will rebuild your own steering box for under $300.00. You send in yours and they rebuild it and return it. the best price around but you have to wait for them to return it. Good in the winter when your not using your car that much.

russcc · 06-20-2019, 06:38 PM

I have rebuilt a couple F1's, and fortunately the worm and sector shafts were good. As said, the bushings, bearings and seals are all readily available. Fred Wilner had them. One box is in the '29 roadster hot rod on 32 rails, so I swapped a '41 p/up shaft into it to use the '40 wheel tapered/keyed mount. I shortened the shaft to position the wheel in the '29 by pressing off the worm, cut the shaft and milled a new woodruff key slot in on the Bridgeport with a woodruff key cutter. Pressing the worm off requires a press, and heat. Pressing it on is tougher because with end of the shaft supported on the floor and pressing the worm on it wants lift the press off the floor unless it lagged down. Freezing the shaft and heating the worm eases the process. The actual rebuild is simple.

06-18-2019, 07:56 PM	#1
gtdohn Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Gilroy, California Posts: 103	steering box rebuild How hard is it to rebuild a steering box in a 1948 f1? Does it have to be removed to do so? Does anyone have a good one they would let go?

06-18-2019, 08:26 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: steering box rebuild How difficult it is to rebuild depends on what parts require replacement. If the worm gear needs to be replaced it is much more involved that if it just requires bearings and gaskets. I believe VanPlet's site has a section on steering box rebuild. It would be very difficult to attempt replace the upper bearing.

06-18-2019, 09:10 PM	#3
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,212	Re: steering box rebuild I have just done one on our 33, a bit of machining involved if you replace the bushes, but for sure not an in car job. Lawrie

06-18-2019, 10:16 PM	#5
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: steering box rebuild If you follow the correct procedures. They are listed in the service manuals, but basically it involves adjusting the shims on the end plate first.

06-19-2019, 07:29 AM	#6
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: steering box rebuild Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) ... __________________ Welcome each day

06-19-2019, 10:33 AM	#8
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: steering box rebuild Just curious. Not trying to hijack this thread. QUESTION: Can the 1948 ford steering box be used in a 1940 Ford? Are parts or entire box interchangeable? The reason I ask is because I have a 1947 Ford coupe steering column and box that I am saving for future use in my 40 Ford, if needed. Thanks.

06-19-2019, 10:37 AM	#9
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,470	Re: steering box rebuild Contact NealinCA on here. He is one of the best steering box specialists in the business.

06-19-2019, 11:55 AM	#10
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,623	Re: steering box rebuild What’s the reason you think it needs a rebuild?....Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

06-19-2019, 03:28 PM	#11
gtdohn Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Gilroy, California Posts: 103	Re: steering box rebuild Just because it has so much play in it. Seems like 3-4 inches both ways.

06-19-2019, 03:35 PM	#12
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,088	Re: steering box rebuild Have you narrowed it down to the box and not a combination of tie rod ends , kingpins , and wheel bearings ?

06-19-2019, 08:30 PM	#13
1948F-1Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Socal Posts: 795	Re: steering box rebuild ^ That's a good (and valid) question. I just did mine in the '48. It was not too bad, but I've done a bunch of Mustang boxes at a place that used to blueprint them...... so it wasn't too intense a job. Sectors and worms are about an act of congress to get, unless you go repo parts. The rest of the parts are a pretty straightforward acquisition. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264082 gtdohn.... if you need help, ask. I work at a bearing manufacturer here in the US as a sales engineer and have considerable background on the subject. Last edited by 1948F-1Pickup; 06-19-2019 at 08:40 PM.

06-20-2019, 09:05 AM	#16
Rayfry Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Philadelphia Pa Posts: 67	Re: steering box rebuild Check out Rockauto. They will rebuild your own steering box for under $300.00. You send in yours and they rebuild it and return it. the best price around but you have to wait for them to return it. Good in the winter when your not using your car that much.

06-20-2019, 06:38 PM	#17
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: steering box rebuild I have rebuilt a couple F1's, and fortunately the worm and sector shafts were good. As said, the bushings, bearings and seals are all readily available. Fred Wilner had them. One box is in the '29 roadster hot rod on 32 rails, so I swapped a '41 p/up shaft into it to use the '40 wheel tapered/keyed mount. I shortened the shaft to position the wheel in the '29 by pressing off the worm, cut the shaft and milled a new woodruff key slot in on the Bridgeport with a woodruff key cutter. Pressing the worm off requires a press, and heat. Pressing it on is tougher because with end of the shaft supported on the floor and pressing the worm on it wants lift the press off the floor unless it lagged down. Freezing the shaft and heating the worm eases the process. The actual rebuild is simple.