Re: '39 Packard Six Steering Box Removal

Posted by Ross On 2016/4/3 6:24:49

The steering shaft is a permanent part with the worm gear and can not be removed. Some things to check:
--The rubber bushings at the end of the pitman arm are OK?

--The cross shaft is a good fit on its bushings? Should have no appreciable play. New bushings are available.

--The roller in the cross shaft spins freely without radial or axial play?

--The steering shaft has no axial play in the housing. This is adjustable by removing shims at the lower end of the housing, but almost never needs doing.

--If these things are OK, then the gear needs to be adjusted by removing shims at the opening of the hole where the cross shaft goes through. These steering gears are not like later ones where the screw on the top cover does the adjustment. On these gears that screw only controls end play after the adjustment is made by the shims.