I am in a bit of a conundrum. My 1970 F250 manual steering box has seen better days and has become a liability.

The main problem is that my truck is right hand drive. Finding a good second hand box is a serious issue. So, my options are somewhat limited.

I am contemplating importing a brand new left hand drive box from the US, with the sole intention of using the sector shaft, worm gear, bearings and bushes and building it into my right drive box. The only difference, in theory, is that if I have to adjust the sector shaft it would then be in the opposite direction. In other words, if I need to tighten the sector shaft I would turn the adjuster screw contrary to the usual direction.

Does this make sense or am I about to make a very expensive mistake?

 

Red Head steering gears is a well respected rebuilder here in the US, you might contact them with your questions. Maybe you can send them yours to rebuild.

https://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/

 

D7TZ-3504-F (replaced C5TZ-3504-D) .. Manual Steering Gearbox / Obsolete ~ No Ford dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

Applications: 1965/77 F100/250 2WD / 1967/77 F350 (all 2WD thru 1978).

But, are some of the internal parts used in this US gearbox the same as used "down under?" I don't know, as I don't have any Aussie Ford truck parts catalogs.

The parts that wear out first in this gearbox are the sector shaft bushings (3576 in pic), followed by the upper/lower steering shaft bearings and races (3552/3571).

You could buy these parts along with the sector shaft seal (3591) and gasket (3581) and see if they'll work. They're obsolete, but can be found NOS

But, steering problems are also caused by worn king pins, draglink, tie rod ends.

The tie rods and draglink have ball joints that cannot be replaced by themselves, so you have to replace the whole enchilada.

These trucks also have a "rag joint" (steel/rubber steering coupler) bolted to the lower flange of the steering column shaft, then attach to the input shaft of the steering gear.

The rubber (it's actually tire carcass) age cracks/separates, loosy-goosy steering results. The rubber itself can be bought from auto parts stores (US), but it's a real b!tch to replace.

Upper pic from 1964/72 truck parts catalog: M/S gearbox.

 

Thank you for the information NumberDummy.

I have replaced the kingpins, the draglink, steerin rods (which I had rebuilt by a very clever machinist), new shock absorbers, new radius arm bushings and I-beam bushings. The rag joint I modified with a Borgeson universal joint, which took a effort to get used to, as you feel the road imperfections so much more.

My truck was previously owned by an individual, who attempted to turn the vehicle into a monster truck, but abandoned the concept due to the lack of appropriate skills. So, now it is back to its original configuration. The truck handled like a drunken mule, as the caster was off the charts, due to additional leaf springs in the rear, which took immense effort to remove. Since I removed these additional leaf springs, the truck steers and handles much better.

However, the steering box has seen worse for wear. Although the teeth on the sector shaft and worm gear block seems fine, it tends to oversteer on a left turn only, which is quite a frightening experience.

I am not quite adept to suspension geometry, but noticed the leafspring and shackle bushings are of questionable condition, could this also contribute to bad steering, even though the truck tracks pretty straight on an even and dirt road?

Thanks again for the most useful information.

 

To answer your question: the "down under" steering box is identical to the US version in external appearance. It has the casting numbers and FORD stampings of the US box, except for being right drive.

My only concern is whether I could replace all worn parts with a US version. I have sourced a brand new manufactured one from a company in Detroit. I can even find the bearings, seals and bushings.

 

You didn't mention if your F250 is 2WD or 4WD, so I assumed it's 2WD

If it's 4WD, the part number for the steering gear box and the pic of the steering box I posted are both incorrect.

1967/76 F250 4WD's and 1977 F250 4WD's before serial number Y20,001 (called High Boys by enthusiasts) have leaf springs front and rear.

1967/75's do not use a steering coupler (aka rag joint). The lower steering shaft and coupler is composed of multiple replaceable parts including a u-joint.

The coupler connects to the input shaft of the steering gearbox with a clamp and thru bolt.

Because parts for the lower steering shaft and coupler are all obsolete and most people don't know where to get NOS parts for it, they replace it with a Borgeson shaft.

 

My F250 is a 2X4.

 

With out the use of a rag joint and any cab movement is doing a number on the steering box. Something had to give as you drive down the road.

I'd say you'll just mess up any steering box you put in it not having any thing to take the cab movement that's why your feeling every little bite of shock pounding on the steering box.

Orich

 

If you wish, I'll give you the part numbers for the sector shaft bushings, the steering shaft bearings and races, seal and gasket.

Hopefully I will find a source of these NOS parts that will ship "across the pond," the Pacific Ocean pond, that is.

Available from Ford are the upper and lower steering column bearings and nylon sleeves. These are also available from all the repro parts sellers.

 

f100 steering box | Parts & Accessories | Gumtree Australia Free Local Classifieds

Try here

 

I completely disassembled the steering box and found that the sector shaft and worm gear are Iin remarrremarkably good condition. The upper and lower worm gear bearings needs replacement. As well as the sector shaft bearings.
I have managed to find new ball bearings for the worm gear and block assembly. However, the other bearings remain...

None of the reputreputable Ford f-series parts dealers stock those particular bearings. Surely Ford used those exact bearings in their other vehicle ranges, like the 66 Mustang, Fairlanes, Ranchero's, et al. Providing they have a 1, 125 inch sector shaft. My search keeps coming up with the exact part numbers...3517, 3552. If that be thw case then surely a rebuild kit for a Mustang 1, 125 inch sector would fit on a manual steering box for my f250?
Numberdummy can you supply me with succinct part numbers for the upper and lower worm gear begrings and sector shaft needle bearings, so my assumption can be confirmed?

 

Since Ford didn't build the bearings and seals, try contacting some bearing and seal makers, like Timken. There are a bunch more, and they have international locations. All they may need is the bearing or seal number. There's a boatload of bearing & seal cross reference websites too.

 

Worm gear bearings.....C2AZ3552A
Worm gear bearing races....C2AZ3571A.
Sector shaft bearings..........C1AZ3576B.


This place in BAYAMON, PR (????!!!!!) shows as having all 6 of your parts.
Ford Parts Only, Inc. Dba Ford Auto & Bo

787-786-9180



************************************************** ********
The following have at least 2-C2AZ3552A:
Bob Allen Ford (WATCH OUT FOR THESE GUY'S PRICES)

913-381-3000

xGreen Sales

(800) 543-4959


xDennis Carpenter Ford

800-476-9653


xRPN Parts

888-864-9305



C2AZ3571A:


Mustang Service Center has one.

Part Number:C2AZ-3571-A
*Seller:Mustang Service Center
Description:62-72 BEARING STEERING WORM GEAR
Phone (818) 765-1196

and

Klimesh Motor Sales has one.

563-562-3241


C1AZ3576B.
There were 4 places that had one each I can list if you wish. The below company shows 4 of them.

Obsolete Reliable Parts

Part Number:C1AZ-3576-B
Seller:Obsolete Reliable Parts
Description:BEARING, STEERING SECTOR SHAFT
Phone (229) 686-5101
Price:Request PricingEmail:Send Seller Email Inquiry
Quantity:4