If you have been following my resto of the the front end frame, suspension, steering gear, and sheet metal then you know I need to rebuild my steering gear. I opted for a 56 unit since the shaft is shorter and I like the 56 wheel better than the 55.

I have the 56 steering gear disassembled to the point of needing to pull the shaft/worm gear assembly out of the box, but there is what looks to be a race or seal? in the way. What is the best way to pull that that thing out since the shaft goes through the center of it and I don't want to booger it up?

My 55 shop manual says that the 55 steering gear simply pulls out of the box once the sector gear is removed...ain't happenin' on the 56 model I can tell you that.

What differences are there between 55/56 steering gear boxes? I checked my parts illustrations manual and the diagram is the same for 55/56.

Also, there is definitive "wobble" where the ball bearing on the shaft rests in the box. In other words, I can move the shaft back and forth about 1/8" while it is in the steering box. It does not look "normal" to me. The shaft is not bent at all, and none of the parts I have removed so far look excessively worn out. Kind of frustrating... I can rebuild an engine, fuel pump, overdrive transmission, but the steering gear box? What am I missing here?

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Daniel, just pull up on shaft and top bearing cone will come out of box with shaft ! keep trying!  this top bearing cone must be set to correct preload by varying the paper shims above it, may take a few times to feel slight resistance to turning shaft. You may get 3 roller sector shaft  in later 56,s, and has larger lower seal and raised lid. You never know whats been changed over in the cars over the years till you have them apart, i,ve probably done over 200 boxes.


  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

doh!
I feel stupid. I looked again at the box and shaft/worm assembly tonight when I got home late and follow AussieBill's advice. Gripping the shaft, a simple tap, tap, tap on the box with a hammer of negligible weight and size and the crazy thing just slipped right free. Here are the shots.



Looks like it is time for a new worm gear however... the oil and grease were covering the chips, nicks, gouges, and what have you. Rough!

Thanks AussieBill!!! I felt stupid and had a real "duh" moment when it slipped out with so much ease. But who knows what I would have tried next if you had not commented.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Daniel: Unforunately, it's not uncommon to have flat spots in 55-56 & even 57 steering boxes. However, in my area I could not seem to find anyone that had worms or particularly sector parts, available to fix a 1957 box. One so called steering outfit was vague about repairs & even suggested that the box was just "gummed up"  I knew better so exited on that outfit.  We made a decision to switch to a 58 recirulating ball box, which mechanically is a fairly straight forward exchange. However, at the steering wheel end, the horn innards are completely different & need alterations which led to other issues, which I won't get into here, other than to say, if doing the 57 to 58 change, obtain the entire steering column assembly & save some headaches..   


Paul

The Tbird suppliers seem to carry the worm gears