Posts: 67
From: Preston, ID, USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted August 20, 2005 04:55               

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Took my steering box apart today and it was bone dry...and the balls had all fallen out of the ball nut..im pretty sure i can scrounge up new balls for it, does anybody have any wisdom on how to get em back in the nut and get er set up again? Thanks,

Boyd

See my project at www.boydplanet.com

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Posts: 465
From: USA Washington state
Registered: Jul 2002

posted August 20, 2005 15:57               

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Sorry to hear that. What you are going to need is a complete rebuild. By the time your balls fall
out you wont be able to screw it again. The ends will look very good but the middle will be rough and worn. It will need to be replaced about $200. in USA.
Dont lose any of the shims on the side plate if you still have any. The shaft bushing and seal are gone too, this is the most likely place the oil was lost, if the side plate was tight. Check the steering arm shaft for both bends an wear. Good used junkyard boxes run anywhere from $250 to $500. The bushing for the arm is easy to replace but will need precision reaming or honing after install. The box rebuild is a simple one but not easy to get it right, very time consuming. I would start looking for a Damn Good used one.
TT

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Originally posted by Boyd:
Took my steering box apart today and it was bone dry...and the balls had all fallen out of the ball nut..im pretty sure i can scrounge up new balls for it, does anybody have any wisdom on how to get em back in the nut and get er set up again? Thanks,

Boyd

See my project at www.boydplanet.com

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Posts: 502
From: Arnemuiden, The Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2004

posted August 20, 2005 22:14               

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Hello Boyd. I have rebuild my steering house. It work's ferry well.
Before assembling the steering house, renew, if necessary the two shaft bushing and the bushing at the top of the steering column. I couldn’t find any new ones. Maybe someone does. The bearing balls 3/8” are normally for sale. I made the gaskets myself. I replaced the seal by a O-ring and filled the space up with a self-made washer. Check the shaft steering gear rocker (part number 3575), the ball nut the upper and bottom bearing and the steering shaft. These parts has to be good.
The best way to assemble the house is in a clean work space ( so that you can find the fallen balls back) in a bank screw.
Here we go.
Put the bearing on the bottom side in the steering house. Place the bearing balls, with a little grease in the main nut. Hold the main nut in the steering house and stick the steering shaft through the steering house and turn the shaft gently through the main nut. Place the bearing balls with a little grease in the bottom bearing ring. Put the steering shaft gently on the bearing balls. Place the top bearing balls with some grease in the top bearing. Place the upper bearing through the steering house on the bearing balls. Grease the steering shaft. This is to avoid corrosion. Place the steering column, and turn the four nuts tight with your hands. Measure the distance between the house and the column. Fill this space with shims between two gaskets, and 0.1 mm extra on. Fasten the column bit by bit, and feel the vertical interim on the axis. Place the seal (oil turn ring ) on the left side. Place the shaft steering gear rocker. Put as many shims between two gasket and place the cover on the right side. Turn the cover tight by hand, and measure horizontal space on the axis. Do so in with the steering in the middle and at both ends. It’s better to have some space at the ends than in the middle. Remove the shims to make the space at a minimum. Close the house and don’t forget the washer on de ball nut. Fill it up with oil, and place it on a white peace of paper. Turn the shaft a view times. Within a day you can see if it’s leaking. Then put the house with a new gasket back on the gearbox.
It’s a long story for a precise job. I hope it will help you. Good luck, and don’t rush yourself.

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Posts: 67
From: Preston, ID, USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted August 21, 2005 06:43               

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Thank you guys...thats excellent information

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Posts: 67
From: Preston, ID, USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted August 21, 2005 18:02               

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Found a worm shaft/nut assembly here http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/store/model_parts.cgi?SearchArea=FORD&&md=MAJOR&cat=Steering&r=mcats

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