I need help with a 1932 Ford "Worm Gear"

[Harms Way]

Alright guys,.... It wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't done this before, But I have done this a number of times over the years,.. But when I went to do it today,...I started to question myself,.... I need a refresher course.

I took apart a 1932 Ford steering box & column today,... The sector and worm gears looked really good,. But, the mast shaft was bent all over the place,... I was going to try to straighten it,.. but it was so bent up I decided to make a new one,....

So I go to take the worm gear off the mast shaft,.... looked at it,... looked at it again,... scratched my head,.... looked for a drift pin,... No, that didn't seem right,... then I remembered the gear had a built in keyway on it,... so I look for it and found it,... went to fire up the torch because I vaguely remember it was a press fit when the worm gear was hot,..... But I couldn't remember for sure,......

So,... my rememberer is broken,... but my forgetter is doing just fine. So,.. any of you guys remember what I forgot ?

How do I get the worm gear off without causing damage ?

Signed,...
"A embarrassment to old Fords & the Human race",.......

[David J]

Press it off . It's probably real snug .

[Harms Way]

Originally Posted by David J

Press it off . It's probably real snug .

Alright,.. I don't remember doing it like this either,.. Is this a guess? ,.. or have you actually done it this way ?

[jimTN]

NO TORCH on that worm gear! Get a 7/16 grade 8 bolt and a 5/8 size nut that will fit it, screw the nut down about 3/4" and stick the exposed bolt in the bottom end of the worm, hold it with a heavy glove, get a BFH and you can drive the shaft out.

[David J]

Yes I have done this .

Originally Posted by Harms Way

Alright,.. I don't remember doing it like this either,.. Is this a guess? ,.. or have you actually done it this way ?

[NealinCA]

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Originally Posted by David J

Yes I have done this .

I use a press as well, cold...no heat. Sometimes it takes quite a bit of pressure and they will POP when the worm finally releases.

I have also machined new steering shafts. In addition to the keyway, there is a slight taper at the bottom of the shaft, plus a small step at the end. Measure your old shaft and then duplicate the taper. If not, you will not be able to get the worm pressed on all the way. Ask me how I know.

I then use a locking shaft collar to hold the shaft when I press the worm back on the shaft. This is done cold also...so you don't lose the heat treatment on the worm.

Neal

[Harms Way]

Great info Guys,...
I was wondering if it was pressed onto a tapper (again couldn't remember) ,... Thanks guys this information is exactly what I was looking for.

You know what's really sad tho,... Back in the 70's I had thrown out a number of really good 32 Ford steering boxes,.. because back then you couldn't even give them away at swap meets,....