Wanted: 58 Ford steering box and column


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By bikrmech1 - 6 Years Ago
Looking to buy 1958 Ford passenger car steering gear box and steering colume. Would like to locate as near to Dayton,Ohio as possible, or I could pay shipping. Please advise to Bikrmech1@g-mail.  Thanks, Doug
By carl - 6 Years Ago
Do you need standard shift or automatic column   Carl
By bikrmech1 - 6 Years Ago
Does not matter.The car is equipped with a 4-speed. I need it included with the turn signal switch.
By PF Arcand - 6 Years Ago
Doug: Are you by chance converting a 57 car to a 58 box & column?  
By bikrmech1 - 6 Years Ago
Trying to gather parts now. Waiting for cooler weather. 88 to 95 degrees last week and the same for this week too. Any advise on the 57 to 58 conversion please share.    Thanks, Doug
By PF Arcand - 6 Years Ago
Oh boy!  It's been a while since I had mine done. Big mistake #1 was buying just the steering box without a complete column assembly. Bought the horn contact plate assembly & so on seperately.  1 pce was old stock the rest was used. (time & money). Among the issues was getting the turn signal switch to cancel. Another thing U need is either the later steering wheel or U need to figure out where to drill your existing steering wheel center, at about the 1:pm position to install the horn ground contact pieces, which aren't part of the column.. If I recall, there's also a plastic pce that has to be transferred from a 58 wheel to the 57, if used. In the meantime I had the box sent to a mechanic to be checked over for bearings & seal.. When said & done it turned out the box was a leaker!!  And I put the upper column assembly together twice & never did get the setup to work properly. Not sure why? Ended up wiring an auxiliary horn up by the knee knocker area of the door so I gould slap it if needed it in a hurry..The 58 box does steer somewhat better than the 57 which had a horrible flat spot in it, but it's certainly not power steering..  I need to get back to it one day...         
By bikrmech1 - 6 Years Ago
Paul,
 Thanks for the reply. You have given me another view of my steering situation. I may jist bite the bullet and have my 57 box rebuilt.  The cost is bouncing between 475. and 750. Do you have further suggestions?  Thanks for your input. 

Doug
By cokefirst - 6 Years Ago
That price seems a little high.  I used Straight Line Steering.  They have two facilities but the car boxes are all done out of the San Jose Location.  They also have an office in Rubidoux, CA which is a suburb of Riverside CA.  I think I had my box done for about $300 not counting shipping.  
By bikrmech1 - 6 Years Ago
Thanks for the info. I located it thru Rock Auto. Says about $240. Thanks again.          Doug
By kevink1955 - 6 Years Ago
Is Rock Auto a rebuilt where you have to send them your unit and they rebuild it and return it to you??. Never trusted that besides the turn around time at the rebuilder, what happens if it's lost in shipping.  Also how do you pack a long shaft box so the shaft does not get bent.  I would build a wood crate but the shipping cost would be very high
By charliemccraney - 6 Years Ago
I've heard good things about Redhead Steering Gears.  I talked to them last year and they said they keep the gear box for my truck in stock, ready to ship.  Unless you find a place to do it locally, shipping is just something you have to deal with, so no sense worrying about it.  Research the cost to replace it and insure the package accordingly.
By PF Arcand - 6 Years Ago
Doug:  I'm in western Canada & couldn't find anyone here to rebuild the 57 box. One oufit claimed to be a rebuilder, but when I talked to him I knew quickly he was talking thru his hat, or other place.. One name mentioned was I think the "Lars" corporation in the U.S.A.?  But I never followed up on it..  Sorry, can't help further..
By bikrmech1 - 6 Years Ago

Thanks for response, found a company called uni-steer, A bit pricey but I am going to check it out,