Need steering box rebuilt, who the best?

[Old Redneck]

The steering box on my 40 needs rebuilt, it no fun to drive. It has a hard spot and wanders all over the road which is a pain in the butt. My 39 drives very nice and a pleasure to drive. I would like to have someone that good doing this to do the job. Any help would be appreciated very much on who to get.

[elwood]

Hey Redneck, I do all my own, there very easy.
Try it your self, theres lots of help around here.
Hell, the hardest part of the job is getting it off

[woodiewagon46]

Redneck, the steering box is probably one or the easiest components to rebuild yourself. NOS parts the available if you look around. If I may ask, how do you know it's only your steering box, how are your other front end components?

[Old Redneck]

Truthful so far I have not check much. It has a hard spot when turning the steering when driving. A good bit of play in the steering also. My other 39's drive very nice like power steering. Ok I will check the front end to see how it is. I hate using repo steering parts. I tried adjusting the play with no help. The steering box just act not like it should.

[rotorwrench]

The steering is only firm (without slack) in the centered straight ahead position. This is the position it has to be in to adjust the play out. If it has divots in the worm gear, it will feel "notchy" when turning right or left in this position. The reproduction worm gears are as good as the Gemmer originals. You may be able to get one exchange with the correct shaft length from one of the early Ford parts suppiers. The 37 though 48 cars all pretty much had the same worm but the shaft lengths vary from year to year. The rest of the parts, with the exception of the soft stuff like shim gaskets and cap gaskets, can end up being reusable on many of the steering gears I've rebuilt for my own purposes. The sector roller gears are also available with a new pin.

[Shadetree]

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I put a later model gearbox on my `35 and rebuilt it before I installed it. It was fairly simple to do. You will need a press to get the worm gear off the shaft. Having an open car makes it simple to remove and install the new one.

[19Fordy]

Ok! Back to the original question. Anyone know the answer?
Also wondering if the parts from a 1947 Ford steering box can be used to rebuild the 1940 box.

[bobH]

I think you wiill find that the worm & sector are the same, 40-47. To original ?, Richard (EV8G) used to be on here, and he used to be able to do this work. It's been a long time since I've talked to him, so don't know if he would still do it. Should be able to find someone closer to home. Have you tried contacts through the EV8 club?

[Andy]

The guts from a 47 are the same as the 40. Only difference could be the steering shaft length. I have replaced the rollers. It is a bit of a job to cut away where the roller pin is mushroomed. I use a die grinder. I tack weld them back in. The worm can be driven off with a punch with a recess groove to miss the key in the worm. I have gotten the worms back on by putting the shaft in a vice and using a socket hit on to drive them on.

[deuce lover]

To answer the mans question.Baxter Ford in Lawrence,KS rebuilds them.

[bill h]

Early Ford Store of Ca. They sell the complete kit #78-3503 RBLDKIT.(199.00) Works good not to hard to do,.

[1932 V8]

I would also recommend Greg Edwards. He is a machinist and rebuilds Early Ford steering boxes. He is a V8 club member and did a seminar for us at the Redmond meet . It was a great seminar and very informative . I learned that if you want the box to be better than new , you need to have the right tooling. There is more to it than meets the eye in my opinion. Here is his number 503-357-3980 . Give him a call .

[woodiewagon46]

Redneck, I had a "hard spot" in my '46, and found one of the tie rod ends was bad. The one that was bad was a Chinese made part from a major supplier. If you need, I found that NAPA has them and USA made! Easy to check, just drop the tie rod and insert an awl in the cotter pin hole and try to rotate it, it should move smoothly with no bind.

[Old Redneck]

Thanks for all the information on the steering. We can always learn. My 39's drive very nice but the 40 a different story. But will solve the problem. The 40 has a few bugs that needed taken car of. I went to a car show today and drove the 40 with a notebook to jot down what needs taken care of. I did notice the tranny when in second gear moving with the clutch in a clicking noise which I don't like . Also a good bit of clutch chatter in low and backing up. So you see a good bit of work to do this fall.

[19Fordy]

Follow up question. Is it possible to remove the steering box without removing the steering column? I think the answer is "no" but I want to make sure.

[L78CHEVELLE]

Doesn't the Lares Corporation that advertises in the Ford V8 magazine rebuild steering boxes or do they just sell parts? 877-830-7168

[kiwitony]

You should be able to remove the box with the column in place but you'll need to be on a hoist to get enough height to slide the shaft out.You have to remove steering wheel obviously.

[52merc]

greg edwards up in oregon is your guy as the above guy mentioned he does everything

[Old Redneck]

Today I back the 40 in the garage and started to check the front end and the left tie rod is shot. I was surprise on how bad it was. I went to NAPA and ordered a new on which will be here tomorrow. After I change it then to inspect the front end again. Then a road test after checking the wheel bearings. Can't take anything for granted any more. Then this fall I will pull the tranny,flywheel,clutch and pressure plate. Check motor mounts also. I don't have any shutter in my other cars and won't have any in this car if I can help it. You fellows been a big help that made it simple for me to find the trouble. Thanks again