Could someone please help me figure out what is wrong with my steering column?

I have an early 58 Fairlane with a (I think) late 57 steering box in it.  I bought what was supposed to be a later 58 box and shaft.  With my engine out now, we thought we'd change the steering too.  The later 58 box and shaft fit really well, bolt holes line up and the angle is correct, and the pitman arm seems to fit right....except that the part of the steering box that the shaft fits into...is 2 inches too long so that all my manual transmission linkages are pushed up against the firewall....there is not enough space now between the steering box and the firewall  for my shift linkages.

Did Ford make a different box for manual vs. auto trany?

Should I just get my 57 box rebuilt....I have read that they are not as good as a 58 box?

What steering column have I bought that fits so well but is a bit big going up the shaft?

Thanks again for all your help.

Gt

Gordie T           Long Point, Ontario

I would suspect that it is a matter of transmissions, maybe the linkage was changed later in 58 or the steering boxes are different for the different transmissions. Maybe you could use some of the guts of the new box to revitalize the old one?

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People should not be afraid of their government, a government should be afraid of the people.

--Alan Moore

I looked in the Hollander. Ford had a different box every year, but no differences for Fordo or manual. Hollander is pretty good at telling what can be made to fit. No such mention is made between 57,58,59. I would suspect the box you bought was not what they thought it was. The only years I know of that had early and late was 56, but the whole box interchanged. It was a 2 or 3 tooth sector.



If its only a matter of shift linkage, maybe its time for a Hurst shifter.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Hello Gordie!I have just been looking at my parts catalogue.1st of all -does your new and old box have a large locknut on the housing where the steering wheel shaft comes out?The 58-59 box has that.The 57 box has a housing held on with 4 bolts-no large locknut.That part where the locknut screws onto is for adjusting bearing play in the box.The actual steering box housings for 58 and 59 are the same.The shaft up to the steering wheel is the same in both years.What is different is the adjustable piece where the locknut is.On 58 the housing that your shifter arms mount on (outer steering column) is clamped onto the piece comming out of the box.On 59 the housing for the shifters fits into a rubber insulator which fits onto the piece comming out the top of the box. The outer column housing(where the shifters fit),and the adjustment piece comming out of the box are different from 58 to allow for the rubber insulator in between.If you measure the length of the piece comming out of the box(the adjuster) you may find the difference of 2 inches there.The original one on your box is interchangeable with the one on your replacement box.If the boxes appear identical I think you have 58-59(not a 56-57) boxes.I am interested to know if this is the answer to your problem so let us know what you find.Hope this helps.

  

Mark et al..



I looked closer at the new box tonight, and it is 6 inches long, the old one is four inches long. When we slide the steering shaft cover over the steering shaft, it bottoms out against the new steering box 2 inches before it should. Therefore my shift controls are 2 inches too high up the steering shaft... bumping into my firewall.



Options are: rebuild old 57 box...found a guy in Brantford, Ontario who thinks he can do it...or...cut two inches off of steering shaft cover and take two inches out of steering shaft..weld shaft back together...everything should fit ok then..



I think I will wait and see if the place in Brantford can rebuild my 57 box...although I can see and feel that the 58 box is a lot heavier and tighter.



Question: Is there a difference between a power steering box and a manual steering box, would the gear ratios be different?



We're having fun but can hardly wait to put the engine back in...

Gt

Gordie T           Long Point, Ontario

Gordie-If there is a difference in the physical size (and weight) I would say the new box is NOT 58-59.I would not recomend cutting and welding your shaft.There is NO difference at all in a manual or power box in 58-59.All parts are the same.Is your original box as I described with the large locknut on the bearing adjuster?If so it is a 58 not 57 box.Completely different steering boxs in 57 and 58.And there is no early or late box listed in 58.Be sure the guy in Brantford knows its a 58 not 57 box.Actually major parts for the 58 box are likely easier to come by than the 56-57 style.

  

Mark

 You are very smart grasshopper...My 57 box does indeed have 4 bolts holding the plate around the shaft .  My 58? box has one big nut holding everything in place.  I will try to post picture of my old box..

Gordie T           Long Point, Ontario

Gordie!Is this pic of whats in your 58 now or?This is a 56-57 box for sure.(same as mine)

  

Mark

This is a picture of my existing box that I have sent away to see if we can rebuild it. 

Gt

Gordie T           Long Point, Ontario

Hey Gordie!Well thats interesting.I wonder if someone has maybe swapped the whole column over?Steering wheels are the same from 56-59 as far as splines go and will interchange through those years.The replacement box you have may well be correct for 58 but wont work with the column you have in the car because its actually a 57 column to go with the existing box.Interesting as I said earlier.