The Ford Barn

telmore1964 · 10-20-2018, 04:54 PM

This weekend I decided to address what I think is excessive play in my steering wheel for my 1930 Ford model A pickup. I don't have Les Andres book yet it should be here on the 31st. So I have downloaded some docs from this website that outline all the adjustments. I started by jacking up the front end and disconnecting the drag link from the pitman arm and going through the steps. I
immediately noticed the pitman arm has a lot of up and down movement if I grab it by the end that I can move it up and down perhaps 1/4" or more. No amount of adjustment seems to change this fact and I was wondering if this is normal or a sign that the bearing through which the arm shaft resides is worn out? If so is this a bronze bushing of sort that can be replaced?

Thanks
-Tom

Jacksonlll · 10-20-2018, 05:27 PM

Your sector shaft bushings are worn out. Pull the gear and replace them.

J Franklin · 10-20-2018, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacksonlll

Your sector shaft bushings are worn out. Pull the gear and replace them.

This also accounts for steering slop.

aermotor · 10-20-2018, 07:25 PM

Are you sure the mount bolts are not loose, worn and/or have wallowed out the frame holes?

John

Synchro909 · 10-20-2018, 07:54 PM

If the movement is even getting close to 1/4", there is more happening than the sector shaft bushes. The bolts holding the steering box to the chassis would be the first place I would go looking while also checking the pitman arm to sector shaft fit. 1/4" is a massive amount of play!

telmore1964 · 10-21-2018, 07:34 PM

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I got the steering box apart yesterday and the sector shaft busing are indeed shot. I was able to press them out and have some new ones on order. I think I will replace the two tooth gear as well as one side of the teeth appear to be slightly rounded off.

Jacksonlll · 10-22-2018, 05:22 AM

I doubt that a new sector shaft will tighten things up. My opinion is that the pinion center section is the problem. It wears while on center. Tough job changing the pinion. Good luck.

chap52 · 10-22-2018, 06:14 AM

Here is a You Tube video of a guy working on his '28 sector shaft. Les Andrews book will really help you out with this issue. Don't reassemble until you check the book. HAte for you to have to go back and do it again.
Les Andrews will walk you through the final adjustments. Chap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwol...1kpxH2TLliMjIX

Fullraceflathead · 10-23-2018, 03:37 PM

Yes that's the video I made showing you how to replace the sector shaft bushings in the car.

10-20-2018, 04:54 PM	#1
telmore1964 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 13	Steering box pitman arm play This weekend I decided to address what I think is excessive play in my steering wheel for my 1930 Ford model A pickup. I don't have Les Andres book yet it should be here on the 31st. So I have downloaded some docs from this website that outline all the adjustments. I started by jacking up the front end and disconnecting the drag link from the pitman arm and going through the steps. I immediately noticed the pitman arm has a lot of up and down movement if I grab it by the end that I can move it up and down perhaps 1/4" or more. No amount of adjustment seems to change this fact and I was wondering if this is normal or a sign that the bearing through which the arm shaft resides is worn out? If so is this a bronze bushing of sort that can be replaced? Thanks -Tom

10-20-2018, 05:27 PM	#2
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Steering box pitman arm play Your sector shaft bushings are worn out. Pull the gear and replace them.

10-20-2018, 07:25 PM	#4
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Steering box pitman arm play Are you sure the mount bolts are not loose, worn and/or have wallowed out the frame holes? John

10-20-2018, 07:54 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Steering box pitman arm play If the movement is even getting close to 1/4", there is more happening than the sector shaft bushes. The bolts holding the steering box to the chassis would be the first place I would go looking while also checking the pitman arm to sector shaft fit. 1/4" is a massive amount of play! __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

10-21-2018, 07:34 PM	#6
telmore1964 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 13	Re: Steering box pitman arm play Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I got the steering box apart yesterday and the sector shaft busing are indeed shot. I was able to press them out and have some new ones on order. I think I will replace the two tooth gear as well as one side of the teeth appear to be slightly rounded off.

10-22-2018, 05:22 AM	#7
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Steering box pitman arm play I doubt that a new sector shaft will tighten things up. My opinion is that the pinion center section is the problem. It wears while on center. Tough job changing the pinion. Good luck.

10-22-2018, 06:14 AM	#8
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: Steering box pitman arm play Here is a You Tube video of a guy working on his '28 sector shaft. Les Andrews book will really help you out with this issue. Don't reassemble until you check the book. HAte for you to have to go back and do it again. Les Andrews will walk you through the final adjustments. Chap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwol...1kpxH2TLliMjIX

10-23-2018, 03:37 PM	#9
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,176	Re: Steering box pitman arm play Yes that's the video I made showing you how to replace the sector shaft bushings in the car. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask