The Ford Barn

LeRoiGross · 03-28-2019, 03:32 PM

I am overhauling the steering column on my 1929 Phaeton. The sector plate at the top of the shaft housing where the spark and throttle arms ride is worn almost smooth so the control arms won't stay put as the car vibrates. Is this sector plate replaceable? None of the parts catalogs show it as a separate item. If I can't replace it, can I repair it by building up or filing down the serrated surface? Any suggestions?
Also the threads on my shaft are in poor condition. Do the thread repair kits work and do I need a machine shop to do the work?

d.j. moordigian · 03-28-2019, 04:31 PM

Look close at the bottom of the spark and gas rods,..are they still round or flattened from
wear? I've welded them up to make them round again..

duke36 · 03-28-2019, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeRoiGross

I am overhauling the steering column on my 1929 Phaeton. The sector plate at the top of the shaft housing where the spark and throttle arms ride is worn almost smooth so the control arms won't stay put as the car vibrates. Is this sector plate replaceable? None of the parts catalogs show it as a separate item. If I can't replace it, can I repair it by building up or filing down the serrated surface? Any suggestions?
Also the threads on my shaft are in poor condition. Do the thread repair kits work and do I need a machine shop to do the work?

Filing and/or welding up is the only option at present. I've contacted some A vendors which have expressed little demand and interest currently. Also, I've contacted some 3d printing and stamping companies but haven't had much success due to the expensive setup charges.. Perhaps someone knows a company that can tackle a small job and reproduce the 2 quadrant plates initially in minimum quantities based on a required CAD dwg.

whirnot · 03-28-2019, 05:27 PM

I had that problem with my roadster. I got new arms as they were worn not only smooth but dished,and then just used a 3 corner file and deepened the grooves on the plate, then painted. Works great.

d. · 03-28-2019, 05:49 PM

I have heard of a successful fix involving filing the sector grooves with a triangle file and then the additional step of welding a BB to the bottom of the spark/ throttle lever.
The owner reported good operational results with this method; might be worth a try.
Let us know what works out for you.

Jacksonlll · 03-28-2019, 06:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Keep in mind that you can grab the rods and pull them toward you to get to the rubbing surface. They are just spring loaded at the bottom.

30 Closed Cab PU · 03-28-2019, 07:20 PM

Would Berts or any of the other suppliers have good used ones for sale?

Ray64 · 03-29-2019, 06:48 AM

I drilled a small indent in mine and glued a B B in it.Three corner file and all is well RAY

Dave1931Pickup · 03-29-2019, 07:58 AM

I built up the ridges by TIG welding just the top edges. Then some hand filing with a three corner file being careful not to file any deeper in the valleys than original depth. I didn't want to make the metal any thinner than necessary. Very tedious but gratifying to see the results.

d.j. moordigian · 03-29-2019, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

Look close at the bottom of the spark and gas rods,..are they still round or flattened from
wear? I've welded them up to make them round again..

Sorry,...I forgot to add the file part, or TIG weld and then file..

LeRoiGross · 03-29-2019, 08:17 PM

Thanks for the suggestions on the sector plates. Any ideas about fixing the shaft threads?

redmodelt · 03-29-2019, 08:26 PM

something like this;
https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_m...pair-tool.html

Jacksonlll · 03-30-2019, 02:58 AM

On your threads, unless they are completely stripped, you should be okay. The nut only has to be snug so it won’t turn. The only load on that joint is you pulling on the wheel and that is a bending load, not an axial load.

LeRoiGross · 03-31-2019, 09:08 PM

While filing the grooves on my sector plates, I found the control arms were riding on the inside heel of the grooved area. So I put a crescent wrench on the outer edge of the plate and lifted it slightly. Now the arm hits on the grooves. Problem solved?
As far as the broken thread on my steering shaft I found that with the steering wheel removed I can get three turns on the nut. With the wheel installed I can get 2 turns. So I think I can live with 2 turns and some thread lock.
By the way, Macs offers a thread repair tool in their catalog, but now they tell me it is no longer available.

03-28-2019, 03:32 PM	#1
LeRoiGross Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL Posts: 41	Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth I am overhauling the steering column on my 1929 Phaeton. The sector plate at the top of the shaft housing where the spark and throttle arms ride is worn almost smooth so the control arms won't stay put as the car vibrates. Is this sector plate replaceable? None of the parts catalogs show it as a separate item. If I can't replace it, can I repair it by building up or filing down the serrated surface? Any suggestions? Also the threads on my shaft are in poor condition. Do the thread repair kits work and do I need a machine shop to do the work?

03-28-2019, 04:31 PM	#2
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth Look close at the bottom of the spark and gas rods,..are they still round or flattened from wear? I've welded them up to make them round again..

03-28-2019, 05:27 PM	#4
whirnot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bend Or. Posts: 1,056	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth I had that problem with my roadster. I got new arms as they were worn not only smooth but dished,and then just used a 3 corner file and deepened the grooves on the plate, then painted. Works great. __________________ Bill Worden 1929 Roadster 1929 Briggs Town Sedan 1930 Closed Cab pickup Smith Motor Compressor 1951 Ford F1 High Desert Model A's

03-28-2019, 05:49 PM	#5
d. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 510	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth I have heard of a successful fix involving filing the sector grooves with a triangle file and then the additional step of welding a BB to the bottom of the spark/ throttle lever. The owner reported good operational results with this method; might be worth a try. Let us know what works out for you.

03-28-2019, 06:53 PM	#6
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Keep in mind that you can grab the rods and pull them toward you to get to the rubbing surface. They are just spring loaded at the bottom.

03-28-2019, 07:20 PM	#7
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth Would Berts or any of the other suppliers have good used ones for sale?

03-29-2019, 06:48 AM	#8
Ray64 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grafton,OHIO Posts: 727	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth I drilled a small indent in mine and glued a B B in it.Three corner file and all is well RAY

03-29-2019, 08:17 PM	#11
LeRoiGross Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL Posts: 41	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth Thanks for the suggestions on the sector plates. Any ideas about fixing the shaft threads?

03-29-2019, 08:26 PM	#12
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth something like this; https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_m...pair-tool.html __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

03-30-2019, 02:58 AM	#13
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth On your threads, unless they are completely stripped, you should be okay. The nut only has to be snug so it won’t turn. The only load on that joint is you pulling on the wheel and that is a bending load, not an axial load.

03-31-2019, 09:08 PM	#14
LeRoiGross Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL Posts: 41	Re: Steering Column Housing sectors worn smooth While filing the grooves on my sector plates, I found the control arms were riding on the inside heel of the grooved area. So I put a crescent wrench on the outer edge of the plate and lifted it slightly. Now the arm hits on the grooves. Problem solved? As far as the broken thread on my steering shaft I found that with the steering wheel removed I can get three turns on the nut. With the wheel installed I can get 2 turns. So I think I can live with 2 turns and some thread lock. By the way, Macs offers a thread repair tool in their catalog, but now they tell me it is no longer available.