I am going to change my steering column back to the original column shift for aut. trans. and I want to rebuild the steering gear at the same time. I got quite a lot of play in the steering and I now know it´s from the steering gear box. Is it possible to do any adjustments to reduce the play first or do i have to rebuild it or buy a reman. one. Thanks!
Mats Nilsson, Sweden

 

Mats,

I'm going to list a bunch of things that you may have already checked out. I just want to make sure you have enough information to make a good choice for your steering gear update. As you get a chance to share more of your background with the group, we'll be better able to answer your questions with exactly the information you need, and we won't bother you with basic things that you may already know about.

If you haven't checked the following front end items yet, you may find the loose steering is caused, at least in part, by something other than the steering gear box.

1. Inner wheel bearings
2. Outer wheel bearings
3. King Pins and bushings
5. Steering arm ball stud
6. Tie rod ends
7. Shackle pins
8. Main leaf bushings
9. Shackle bracket bushing
10. Worn drag link innards

If you know the above items are in good condition and properly adjusted, then the steering gearbox is the likely problem.

First question, do you have a shop manual for your truck? If not, it is the best money you will ever spend. Click on the red PARTS SHOP button in the upper right of your screen and order one from MotorHaven - the folks who support FTE.

The procedure for adjusting the steering box is included in the shop manual. Here is the procedure from the 1956 shop manual.



If you don't have any adjustment left, or the steering isn't smooth as you tighten the adjusting screw, it's time for a rebuilt gearbox or to do the rebuild yourself. If you choose to do the rebuild yourself, we can provide additional information. Let us know how things are going.

 

George,
I presume the sterring gear info and pic are from the '56 Shop manual. It looks a lot like my '54-55. Did you notice the '53-'55 steering wheel in the pic with the '56 dash? Maybe this was drawn before Ford decided to put in the all new deep dish safety steering wheel?

abe

 

Yeah, Barry and some of the other folks have pointed out some of the illustration inaccuracies in both the shop manual and the parts and accessories catalogs. I doubt there is a single authoritative source, although I am trying to get a copy of a collection of original photographs taken between 1955 and 1958.

 

Thanks, for your answers!
I have checked everything in the front end and changed some parts like King Pins/bushings so I think the Steering gear box is the problem. I am going to adjust the box and see if it get´s any better or if I have to rebuild it. I only got the Parts Catalog so I will follow your adwise and buy the Shop Manual from Motorhaven but I also thank you for your important information about other vendors like the Green Sales Company, because they had a lot of small stuff for the truck like the springs for my shifter and with my Parts Cataloge it is easy to search for them. I really appreciate all your help because here in Sweden is´s difficult to find some of the parts for the truck. The parts for engine and trans. is easy because it´s a 289 and C4 and but I still got some identification problems with my rear end and going to post a new thread later today.
Mats Nilsson, Sweden

 

The steering gearbox for my '56 F-100 has worn out twice so far. I've owned the truck about 10 years, and though I've driven it from FL to CA and back several times, for the most part, it's been a weekend driver.

The problem is, the worm gear is supported on bronze bushings rather than roller bearings. The bushings don't take the side loads of the shaft very well, and tend to wallow out and cause excess play in both the gearbox, and the steering of the truck. If left unchecked, you'll find yourself with 20 or 30 degrees of play in the steering wheel before you the wheels start to turn. NOT GOOD!

My plan eventually is to re-engineer the gearbox to use roller bearings. I'm not sure of the needed mods, but I'm guessing both end plates will have to be recast stronger and with more space afforded for the bearing itself.

It's a "project", and unfortunately will have to be delayed a bit. Right now I'm in the Army, and training up for another combat tour, this time to Afghanistan.

It's been a year since I've been home, and I'm missing tinkering in the garage. But that's the job.

If anyone here has advice or ideas on the mods. to the gearbox. Please put it out.

Thanks,
SGT. US.Army, Infantry Sniper, Iraq Combat Veteran, and of course '56 Ford F-100 owner/fan.