Steering

Posted by Jim on Oct. 21, 1998 at 09:32:44

I realize that a lot of information has been posted about rebuilding the steering box, what fluid should be used, adjustment procedures, etc., and I have relied on this information for rebuilding a 2-tooth box. The bearings have been replaced, the top bearing race on the worm gear has been polished (it was a little rough), needle bearings and seal have been installed on the sector shaft, and a mixture of 2 parts 600w, 1 part STP used to fill the box. The box was adjusted on the bench by following the protocol, and there was no binding in the mechanism.
The problem I am having now that the box is installed is that the steering doesn't feel much better than before, and I am wondering if perhaps the box is working just fine, but I am expecting it to respond better than the design will allow. With the car stopped, there is about 1.5 inches of play in the steering wheel, and when turning beyond this point (i.e. front wheels start to turn), the mechanism doesn't quite bind, but tightens up fairly severely. Also, the steering wheel dosen't tend to bounce back from this position. Its like, once under load, the worm gear seats into the sector teeth with a lot of friction. Basically, there is not any perceptible range in the steering between disengaged (the free play) and fully engaged -- it goes from loose to tight. Also, with the front wheels off the ground, I cannot grab one of the front wheels and get the mechanism in the box to turn.
My main experience has been with the later Ford steering boxes (1937 and later) which has rollers on the sector rather than teeth, and that is why I may be expecting a better feel from the toothed system. When turning the steering wheel in the later systems, the tension tends to increase with the amount the steering wheel is turned beyond the free-play region -- a sort of springy feel that I don't have in the 2-tooth system.
I apologize for having to go into so much detail, but my questions comes down to: Do I have the box right? If not, what might be the problem?

Follow Ups:
Dentistry Bob Carabbio Oct. 22, 1998 at 23:56:31 (1)
Re: Dentistry Glen Weilbaker Oct. 23, 1998 at 09:30:08 (0)
Re: Steering Marco Oct. 21, 1998 at 12:55:30 (0)
Re: Steering David Dewey Oct. 21, 1998 at 11:17:38 (4)
Re: Steering Jim Oct. 21, 1998 at 11:40:36 (3)
Re: Steering Glen Weilbaker Oct. 21, 1998 at 12:29:56 (2)
Re: Steering -- Glen and Marco Jim Oct. 21, 1998 at 13:53:27 (1)
Re: Steering GW Oct. 21, 1998 at 14:38:21 (0)

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