1948 8N Steering Box Slop

[MM in SC]

I have a 1949( I know the title says 1948) 8N with the old style steering box.Not having the funds to purchase a newer type box,I rebuilt the old one. After rebuild I can turn the steering ONE whole turn without wheels moving. I replaced everything but the sector bushings and the machinist said they were fine. I also replaced tie rods. I put two very thin shims on box, but it looks as if shaft moves up when I turn the wheel. I did put the spring under the steering washer and nut.
I replaced worm gear shaft and nut, but was unable to put the bearing retainer on because there was no hole at end of shaft. Is it possible I have a shaft for the newer type steering box? I was very specific about what I needed and I did not measure the new shaft. The nut on the shaft looked just like the one I took out.
I read something about rotating sectors arms, but that did nothing. Also, I filled the box with Cornhead grease.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
MM

 

[Soundguy]

1, if you didn't replace the sector bushings, you didn't rebuild the box.

Thrust bearings and sector bushings are the usual wear points, next is ballnut to wormshaft fit, next is sector tooth and ballnut tooth wear.. Its rare, but I have seen teeth worn thin to a razors edge, no repair only replacement of gears at that point.

Anyway, if you still have up/down movement you have excessive thrust play. That will eventually yeild a damaged lower thrust bearing and also some steering slop in the present. I didn't he's you say you adjusted the sector backlash, but then if you didn't replace the bushings, why bother.. Since with worn bushings its problematic to set correct backlash. Add to that, any level of teeth wear, and poof, you have a rebuilt box with 360' of slop...

Retainer rivit for lower thrust bearing is not needed when you have correct thrust play ( you don't) , as the bearing is held captive in the race by the bottom of the wormshaft.

Rivit van make it easier to stab the shaft on with bearing attached, however a wad of axle grease will glue the bearing to the shaft long enough to assemble too.

With no shims, if you have thrust play still, then I must ask if you replaced the upper and lower bearing races?

Upper usually wears from lack of lube, lower gets lube till the box is bone dry, however lower race has to deal with any debris, metal wear particles, chips, and condensed moisture in the box. That moisture and debris leads to pitted and scratched raceway, leading to premature bearing failure, and also that excessive thrust play I mentioned.

Pss

I hope someone didn't talk you into those nylon thrust bearings vs the metal barrel roller ones..those are worthless junk.

 

[MM in SC]

1, if you didn't replace the sector bushings, you didn't rebuild the box.

Thrust bearings and sector bushings are the usual wear points, next is ballnut to wormshaft fit, next is sector tooth and ballnut tooth wear.. Its rare, but I have seen teeth worn thin to a razors edge, no repair only replacement of gears at that point.

A

I hope someone didn't talk you into those nylon thrust bearings vs the metal barrel roller ones..those are worthless junk.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Soudguy. I had to rebuild the box because the bearings disintegrated. I replaced ballnut, wormshaft, all races, seals, both bearings and the slop is 10x worse than before the bearings came apart. ( I did get metal, not nylon.) The machinist said there was no play in the bushings, but I'm going to replace those as you said. I tried to adjust the sector housings, but they just spun around. It'll probably take about a week to get it done, but I'll let you know how it came out. Once I get that done, there's the matter of the seals on the rear wheels....Good thing I like working on stuff!

 

[Soundguy]

the fact the sector housing spun round and round tells me your machinist has credentials from a cerial box.

find out if you have thrust play.

if you have thrust play, you have a possible wrong wormshaft or the races/bearings are wrong.