Drag link too short??

[western77]

I rebuilt my steering box on a '30 coupe. I centered the steering gear, the pitman arm was vertical to the frame, and the drag link was too short. I measured the center to center of the pitman and the spindle arm with the wheels stright and the steering gear centered and it was 23 5/8". The drag link center to center is 21 1/2". If I turn the wheel so that the pitman arm advances enough to attach the drag link, then I loose that much turning radius one way and gain too much going the other way. What am I missing???????????

[Tom Wesenberg]

You need to center the steering according to the SERVICE BULLETINS. This is done by the eccentric bolt on the side of the steering gear. Loosen all 4 nuts and turn the eccentric to center the 2 tooth sector. Be sure to follow the Service Bulletins, as one adjustment affects the others. Sometimes it takes a couple runs through the adjustments to get everything right.

[western77]

Thanks Tom, I did adjust the sector end gap, then the steering shaft end play and then the sector worm mesh in that order. Thats why I can't figure it out. I am off by 2 1/8"s. Is my steering arm bent?

[Peter J]

Could it be that when you initially installed the sector shaft in the box you were off on the worm? All your adjustments would seem OK but you would be off a bunch. Just a thought.

[Marco Tahtaras]

I'm too tired to think it through but may not do any better with sleep :-) However it's worth noting that in my experience with the Gemmer steering the drag link is perfect on '29 models an 1/4" TOO LONG on '30 models due to the slightly lowered column. I'm assuming you have an "A" drag link. I haven't measured mine.

[western77]

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I believe I found the problem, the steering arm is bent toward the front causing the drag link to be too short. Thanks for the help. JB