Hi Guys & Gals, ( 1951 F-1 )

I need the big flat washer, that fits into the end of the sector shaft in the steering box. This washer is attached to the adjusting screw, for steering box adjustment. I pulled the steering box, and colume out for a rebuild job, and when I opened it up, found a broken washer inside. I don't beleive this part is available anywhere new. Does anyone have one they want to sell, or know where I can locate one???
Thanks for the help,
Dan

 

Dan
I rebuilt my gearbox last fall and if I remember right, that washer only allows the adjusting screw to pull the sector roller assembly back out away from the worm gear. (the head of the screw pushes the sector unit into the worm) It should be a simple do it yourself project - find a piece of flat stock the right thickness - grind and file 'til it fits the 'collar' or 'hooks' on the sector assembly, then drill an appropriate sized hole for the screw.

Can you use the old pieces as a pattern? Hope this helps some.

 

Thanks Tim,

I thought maybe I would make one, but really didn't know if there was anything specail about the washer, like it's made out of cast.
I will make one!!!
Thanks for your help
Regards,
Dan

 

Thinking about rebuilding mine. How hard of a job is it, anything special to look for. Can i do it all myself or is ther parts that need to be pressed on ect.. Should I buy complete kit or tear apart and inspect. Thanks

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Nov-02 AT 10:13 PM (EST)]>Thinking about rebuilding mine. How hard of a job is it,
>anything special to look for. Can i do it all myself or is
>ther parts that need to be pressed on ect.. Should I buy
>complete kit or tear apart and inspect. Thanks


It isn't that difficult - I managed to do mine and I've put somewhere over 20K on the truck since.

You have a couple of options:
1. tear it all apart and replace only what's worn out. They're all available from several distributors.

Mine was so bad that this wasn't an option. I had 1/4 turn of play in the steering wheel, and the worm gear and sector roller were both destroyed from previous owner's attempts to adjust it.

2. buy a kit and rebuild the whole thing, but even here you have options. If your worm gear is damaged or worn it will need to be replaced. It presses off and the new one presses back on the shaft. You can also buy the new worm gear already pressed on a new shaft - nice option for those without ready access to a press.

The sector roller, if damaged/worn can be rebuilt - the housing needs to be reused. You get a new roller and bearings and pin. The old pin is welded or peened into the sector housing - the ends of the pin need to be ground down flush with the housing and driven out thru the roller. Remove the old debris and reassemble with the new pieces. Hold it together while you weld the ends of the pin to the housing and grind to make sure your bead won't damage the worm as it turns - fairly close tolerance.

The rest of the repair is just tapered roller bearings, bushings and seals. Proper adjustment is easy after you've been inside one of these boxes. Pretty obvious what needs to happen and the shop manual covers that detail. If you need better directions, email me.

Nearly forgot - the hardest part is getting the thing out of the truck. Take the floor panels apart and with a flat V8 and headers, I was able to wiggle, twist and turn it enough to remove it thru the cab. I saw your truck has a 351W so your setup might require a different approach. Easiest is to put the truck on a lift and drop the unit straight down and out. Good luck!