Steering box: Sector Worm Mesh Adjustment

[bluesman31]

I want to adjust the steering on my 28 roadster and I am going to follow Les Andrews procedure on page 1-301 of the Mechanics handbook VOL 1.

My question is should this adjustment be done with the front end jacked up with no weight on the wheels?

[bluesman31]

My 7 tooth box in my 28 roadster has a lot of slop in it when I compare it to my 31 roadster that has zero backlash at the steering wheel.

Can the 7 tooth boxes be rebuilt with success to remove all slop in them (at the wheel) or am I better off spending my money on an F-100 replacement?

[pat in Santa Cruz]

the 7 tooth box can be rebuilt successfully if the sector and worm are replaced. The adjustment is made with shims. But, if you are not showing the car, you would be better served using a 2 tooth box. They can be adjusted as the worm wears and 28 style steering wheels are available to fit the 2 tooth shaft. Personally, I do not like F100 boxes. A good 2 tooth with a properly rebuilt steering system from box to hubs will steer easily as long as the wheels are rolling a little. Using a shortened pittman arm and teflon buttons in the linkage with perfectly round spindle balls will further improve the ease of steering.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

My 7 tooth box in my 28 roadster has a lot of slop in it when I compare it to my 31 roadster that has zero backlash at the steering wheel.

Can the 7 tooth boxes be rebuilt with success to remove all slop in them (at the wheel) or am I better off spending my money on an F-100 replacement?

Yes and even though they are really non-adjustable it will most likley stay tight for as long as you own it given the amount of driving the average Model A owner drives. I think it you pay to have a F100 conversion done and to buy a rebuilt 7 tooth outright are the same price.

[allen]

You can look for a 2 tooth with the 28-29 steering wheel. it is key different from the 7 tooth, this was built for a few months think last 6 months of 29 good luck

[bluesman31]

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Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

the 7 tooth box can be rebuilt successfully if the sector and worm are replaced. The adjustment is made with shims. But, if you are not showing the car, you would be better served using a 2 tooth box. They can be adjusted as the worm wears and 28 style steering wheels are available to fit the 2 tooth shaft. Personally, I do not like F100 boxes. A good 2 tooth with a properly rebuilt steering system from box to hubs will steer easily as long as the wheels are rolling a little. Using a shortened pittman arm and teflon buttons in the linkage with perfectly round spindle balls will further improve the ease of steering.

Why don't you like the f100 boxes?

My car steers fine now it just has too much play in the wheel. If I am going to go through all the time and expense of replacing or rebuilding the box, I want to be sure all the slop is gone and stays gone for ever.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

I find F 100 box steering lacks the road feel I like. They just seem sort of sloppy, almost boat like to me. A good 2 Tooth box with good spindles, axle, king pins, shortened pittman arm and proper adjustment feels more responsive and solid to me.

[bluesman31]

Can a 2 tooth be easily adapted to a 28? Are they a bolt in with a new steering wheel?

[pat in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

Can a 2 tooth be easily adapted to a 28? Are they a bolt in with a new steering wheel?

yes.