As the title says I'm trying to rebuild the steering gear box. I'm dong my best to keep the old girl as original as possible so I really dont want to replace the old gear box with any newer modern style. I purchased new bushing, bearings and bearing race's. I pressed in the bushing but had to take it to a shop to have them honed out to fit the pitmen arm shaft. It fits great. I did not buy new gears, they may be what I do next. They look good. There is no apparent visual damage. They feel smooth, no ridges or groves.
But no mater how hard I try I just cant get the play out. I've started with the adj screw all the way out and worked it almost all the way in. I'm doing this on the bench, there are just over 4 full turns from all the way left to all the way right. So 2 turns is about center. It will get tight there but by the time you turn the wheel all the way to either side there is a lot of play.
The bearing on either side of the worm gear on the steering wheel shaft feel perfect. The shaft spins free as can be with virtually no detectable lateral movement.

Am I missing something?
How much play should there be?
I think I'm going to have to buy some gears??

Thoughts anyone??

 

Start with eliminating all end play in the worm gear and shaft. Then adjust the sector so there is no play at the center position only. You will have slight play anywhere other than center.
Edit: You do have the adjustment screw assembled right, don't you?

 

The gears may look ok ie. nice and smooth and shiny but also quite badly worn . If after adjusting the steering gear following the manual TO THE LETTER then I would suggest replacing the gears .

 

Incase you dont have a repair manule ,this may help. Note when setting the preload, I used a fishing scale, to measure how many pounds I had. Hope this helps. Also the end play that raytasch mentioned, is adjusted by adding or subtracting gaskets ,if I remember correctly. And as know oldmercs information always is solid, To enlarge the pages I posted, just click on the lite yellow bar obove each pic. that sez click bar to view full image.

 

There are TWO sector shaft bushings, not one. Worn sector shaft bushings are the usual cause for play in the steering wheel.

2) 81T-3576-A .. Sector Shaft Bushings / 1948/52 F1/F2/F3 / 1953/56 F100/600.

 

Wow lots of input thank you. Yes there are 2 bushings, Yes I have the manual but thanks for taking the time to send copies I really appreciate that.
I preloaded the bearing only to the point that I put gaskets in until it turned freely without any lateral movement. I like the fishing line and fish scale set up.
I went ahead and got on Mac's web site and ordered the gears. When they come in I will preload them to the fish scale setting.
Lets see what happens then!!