The Ford Barn

Dave1931Pickup · 01-08-2019, 10:08 AM

I'm in the process of re building the steering column and two tooth steering box on my early '31 Closed Cab Pickup. After repairing the cast part on the lower portion of the steering column (the part where the gas and spark rods exit) I did a trial assembly of the rods into the column prior to powder coating the column. I didn't notice this before disassembly but with the rods installed and looking into the inside of the column the rods have a slight bend to them and are rubbing the inside of the column. When I originally took them out there was no rubber tube on the rods which doesn't mean much knowing that someone else has probably had the column apart before me. My question is did Henry make a change to the later columns and do away withe the anti rattle rubber tubes or felts? And to answer someones question, yes the column is straight with no damage to it.

Russ/40 · 01-08-2019, 12:45 PM

The anti rattles felts need to be there. That said, you should not have any rattles without them. You need to straighten your rods. With determination you will get them straight. Roll them on a flat surface with the handles off the edge. They should be flat on a table through a full rotation. Not brain surgery.

Dave1931Pickup · 01-08-2019, 01:29 PM

Thanks Russ. The rods are straight before installing them. They are bent and touching a portion of the inner wall of the column after installing them. Looking down the column tube before the rods are installed I can see that the holes in the top bushing and the exit holes in the lower portion of the column are not a straight shot because a portion of the column tube is in the way.

Synchro909 · 01-08-2019, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1931Pickup

Thanks Russ. The rods are straight before installing them. They are bent and touching a portion of the inner wall of the column after installing them. Looking down the column tube before the rods are installed I can see that the holes in the top bushing and the exit holes in the lower portion of the column are not a straight shot because a portion of the column tube is in the way.

That sounds as though the steering column is bent. It happens often when people use the steering wheel to haul themselves into the car or as the result of an accident. Have you checked the rods for staight or are you assuming they are bent because they rub the column?

Russ/40 · 01-08-2019, 06:07 PM

Sounds to me your rods are forced into a twist by a misplaced upper bushing. You should be able to get a straight sight top to bottom. Have you moved the upper bushing?

Dave1931Pickup · 01-08-2019, 06:22 PM

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In my original post I stated that I have an early '31. I forgot to mention that it has the indented firewall so the steering column is not mounted to the gas tank like previous models. Does that make it a different column? Once again for everybody the column is straight and the rods are straight.I have checked both by checking them on my four foot surface plate. The upper bushing has the "v" notch in it so when installed it should be in the proper position.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 01-08-2019, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1931Pickup

In my original post I stated that I have an early '31. I forgot to mention that it has the indented firewall so the steering column is not mounted to the gas tank like previous models. Does that make it a different column? Once again for everybody the column is straight and the rods are straight.I have checked both by checking them on my four foot surface plate. The upper bushing has the "v" notch in it so when installed it should be in the proper position.

You’re describing a late 31.

Russ/40 · 01-08-2019, 08:01 PM

I'm out of ideas, will think about it. Good Luck

duke36 · 01-09-2019, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Sea/Tac

You’re describing a late 31.

Concur. We had a similar problem with throttle rod vibration with upper bushing aligned ok. and the felt in the proper place. Also, as many have posted, we drilled a small hole in the outer column about 12" down and squirted a little spray foam insulation which stopped the rattle. If the quadrant detents are worn, the rods seem to rattle as well.

Russ/40 · 01-09-2019, 12:54 PM

I inspected a 30/31 steering column I have to see what could be going on, and was surprised to see that when the bushing is in place, the path of the rods just kisses the top of the tube. There is no damage apparent to the tube, it all looks straight. I suspect the rods do sag away from the top of the column when in place. You can see that although the rod holes in the top bushing are straight to the tube bore, the rods take an upward course away from the shaft path. This creates a bend in the rods, and with a slight sag in the rod path the rods will clear the tube but barely. If you install the felts you will be fine. A new bushing should also help resolve any potential rattle.

100IH · 01-09-2019, 03:20 PM

The slight bend and resulting tension on the rods is there to reduce the vibration. Sympathetic vibration is what would occur otherwise. The rubber / felt insert eliminates a noisy metal to metal contact. All of the Gemmer types I have done recently were not a straight shot to the lower bushings. Makes sense to me.

Dave1931Pickup · 01-09-2019, 06:05 PM

Thanks to both Russ and 100IH. I believe both of you are correct and that it was Fords intention to have the column designed the way it is. Now if there was an easier way to get the rods in. I leave the upper bushing out with the rods in the bushing then press the upper bushing in once the rods are in the lower holes. But it is still a feat of patience to get the rods in the lower two holes.
Thanks for every ones help.

01-08-2019, 10:08 AM	#1
Dave1931Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 167	Gas and Spark Rods I'm in the process of re building the steering column and two tooth steering box on my early '31 Closed Cab Pickup. After repairing the cast part on the lower portion of the steering column (the part where the gas and spark rods exit) I did a trial assembly of the rods into the column prior to powder coating the column. I didn't notice this before disassembly but with the rods installed and looking into the inside of the column the rods have a slight bend to them and are rubbing the inside of the column. When I originally took them out there was no rubber tube on the rods which doesn't mean much knowing that someone else has probably had the column apart before me. My question is did Henry make a change to the later columns and do away withe the anti rattle rubber tubes or felts? And to answer someones question, yes the column is straight with no damage to it.

01-08-2019, 12:45 PM	#2
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Gas and Spark Rods The anti rattles felts need to be there. That said, you should not have any rattles without them. You need to straighten your rods. With determination you will get them straight. Roll them on a flat surface with the handles off the edge. They should be flat on a table through a full rotation. Not brain surgery.

01-08-2019, 01:29 PM	#3
Dave1931Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 167	Re: Gas and Spark Rods Thanks Russ. The rods are straight before installing them. They are bent and touching a portion of the inner wall of the column after installing them. Looking down the column tube before the rods are installed I can see that the holes in the top bushing and the exit holes in the lower portion of the column are not a straight shot because a portion of the column tube is in the way.

01-08-2019, 06:07 PM	#5
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Gas and Spark Rods Sounds to me your rods are forced into a twist by a misplaced upper bushing. You should be able to get a straight sight top to bottom. Have you moved the upper bushing?

01-08-2019, 06:22 PM	#6
Dave1931Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 167	Re: Gas and Spark Rods Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) In my original post I stated that I have an early '31. I forgot to mention that it has the indented firewall so the steering column is not mounted to the gas tank like previous models. Does that make it a different column? Once again for everybody the column is straight and the rods are straight.I have checked both by checking them on my four foot surface plate. The upper bushing has the "v" notch in it so when installed it should be in the proper position.

01-08-2019, 08:01 PM	#8
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Gas and Spark Rods I'm out of ideas, will think about it. Good Luck

01-09-2019, 12:54 PM	#10
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Gas and Spark Rods I inspected a 30/31 steering column I have to see what could be going on, and was surprised to see that when the bushing is in place, the path of the rods just kisses the top of the tube. There is no damage apparent to the tube, it all looks straight. I suspect the rods do sag away from the top of the column when in place. You can see that although the rod holes in the top bushing are straight to the tube bore, the rods take an upward course away from the shaft path. This creates a bend in the rods, and with a slight sag in the rod path the rods will clear the tube but barely. If you install the felts you will be fine. A new bushing should also help resolve any potential rattle.

01-09-2019, 03:20 PM	#11
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 970	Re: Gas and Spark Rods The slight bend and resulting tension on the rods is there to reduce the vibration. Sympathetic vibration is what would occur otherwise. The rubber / felt insert eliminates a noisy metal to metal contact. All of the Gemmer types I have done recently were not a straight shot to the lower bushings. Makes sense to me.

01-09-2019, 06:05 PM	#12
Dave1931Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 167	Re: Gas and Spark Rods Thanks to both Russ and 100IH. I believe both of you are correct and that it was Fords intention to have the column designed the way it is. Now if there was an easier way to get the rods in. I leave the upper bushing out with the rods in the bushing then press the upper bushing in once the rods are in the lower holes. But it is still a feat of patience to get the rods in the lower two holes. Thanks for every ones help.