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I saw a similar issue posted at one time, but this is confusing me big time. '50 3100, total frame up rebuild. Rebuilt steering box and believed I did it right. Was doing initial toe in this morning and I noticed something weird. Center the wheels and the steering wheel is 2 1/4 turns one way and 1 3/4 turns the other. Okay I think, I screwed up the steering box and are probably a tooth off in the box. I pull the pitman arm and check it again. From center (if pitman arm was attached, it would be pointing straight down) a little over 2 1/2 turns each way. So the box is correct? I checked the steering stops on the axle and they are adjusted the same. Is a half a wheel turn difference normal? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Is there a "notch" for lack of a better term on the splined shaft of the box to correctly align the pitman to the box shaft? I just was into the box of my 57' and it is that way and others I've seen are so I'm just wondering.

Nifty 50 2,

I may be all wet on this, but I will say there is no 'timing' inside the box. The worm and sector can go any old place you want.

If the pitman arm is indeed keyed, which I think it is, then the only item that would be position sensitive would be the steering wheel!

I see it this way...worm and sector, any which way.

Pitman arm, must align with key.

Center wheels perfectly.

Remove steering wheel and position it properly.

All done.


Stuart

I had the same problem and it turned out that I had the ball nut one revolution out of position. I took the shaft out again, lifted off the tube, rotated the nut one turn and then put it back together and all was well. The ballnut must be in the center of the travel when you mesh it together.

Curt B.

When I rebuilt mine I had to do the same thing- I had the thing with the ball bearings in it off center on the shaft so I had to center it on the shaft and then properly align the gears on the the sector shaft before I sealed up the box.

I'm not sure you've got to pull the steering shaft, but you most likely will have to pull the side cover and sector shaft to reset everything.

Gentlemen,

I just pulled up a schematic of the steering box, and as is not too infrequent, I had my head way up my you know what.

It looks like it is important to put things together the 'right' way. My apologies! :o

Stuart

I guess I will take the shaft out and check this, but what gets me is that it seems like it should be right. The box can turn farther than the stops will let it. (Just over 5 turns without pitman attached and about 4 with it on) With the pitman arm off, it seems to be centered. If you turn the wheel 2.5 turns from one side the sector shaft is where the pitman would be straight up and down. The pitman are is keyed so that is has to attach in that position, Attach the pitman arm there, and I get the different turn numbers, neither of which are up to the 2.5 turns that the box will turn. Looking at it, it appears that each full crank of the steering wheel is hitting the steering stops at the king pins. I will take another look, thanks for the help.

If you have the pitman arm out and can see the ballnut have someone slowly rotate the steering wheel 1 turn and then try to mesh the sector shaft again. The ballnut stays oriented and slides up and down the ballscrew. You're hitting the end of the thread on the ballscrew which is limiting your movement. Don't turn it too hard on the short side or you'll trash your ballnut. Good luck.

Curt B.