Faster steering

Faster steering

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By LordMrFord - 15 Years Ago

How I get faster steering to '59 Fairlane?

By charliemccraney - 15 Years Ago

Take some martial arts lessons. After some training you will be able to move your hands faster and therefore turn the wheel faster! BigGrin

By LordMrFord - 15 Years Ago

charliemccraney (1/31/2009)

Take some martial arts lessons. After some training you will be able to move your hands faster and therefore turn the wheel faster! BigGrin

I must have atleast 10. dan black belt to handle fiftynine's seven-rounds-from-side-to-side-steering on slippery ice road when mighty Y frees her countless horses.

What is the second best choise.

By aussiebill - 15 Years Ago

Lordy, the 59 steering is like power steering in that there is a lot less road feel to the ground,through the steering wheel. You can directly bolt in steering box from 56 customline, vicky, modify slightly the 59 column to fit box top. This will give you probably more feel( heavier) to the steering. In Australia we swap the 56 s/boxes and install 59-60 fairlane steering box for a lighter power steering feel at the s/wheel. Its only a suggestion to your question other than changing tires etc. best regards aussie bill.

By Gordie T - 15 Years Ago

There's nothing quite like going round a corner at speed and having that wheel spin back to center in your hands. On a hot day it almost feels like a poor man's air conditioning.

There seems to be a lot of different types out there. I know what you mean. My '58 has a steering box with the horn wire through it. I've been told it can't be a 58. I bought another box and shaft that look completely different from a guy who said if wouldn't fit on his 59 cause it was too low..the steering wheel rested on the seat.

I still don't quite know what I bought. But, until my steering gets too bad, it's not worth the hassle to try it.

Did you try to replace the pitman arm and little stud and springs? I did just that and it improved my steering tons. The previous springs and keepers were in backward.

Please tell me you aren't driving it in this awful winter.

By 55Birdman - 15 Years Ago

Aussiebill That is one Beautiful car!!!

By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago

Gordie: Is it possible your 58 is a very early model? It might possibly have a 57 box but I've never heard of it. All 58s were supposed to have the later design box, with the Horn wiring up the side of the column to a later horn contact arrangement. The 58 & later box is a better internal design, but if converting from the 57 & prior wire up the steering shaft design, you need the Horn Wire Terminal Support & Wire contact part in the top of the column & the small Horn Brush Contact & Insulator part, to go in the base of the steering wheel. That last part is very hard to find, even used (just ask me!)

By Gordie T - 15 Years Ago

Thanks for the ideas Paul. My Fairlane is indeed an early one with the pre March side trim matching the corvette on the side. I am beginning to think my car is a bit of a mix and match. See my other posts as I get into it.

I do know a guy with quite of few 57, 59 parts for steering and I could ask around for that horn contact if any one wishes.

By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago

One way I helped the steering was go too a smaller steering wheel. Example> use a 56 tbird on a 56 ford, 58 tbird on a 56 mercury and you won't go back. The comfort level and the looks makes all the difference. The smaller steering wheel acts like a gear change. Smile

By crenwelge - 15 Years Ago

Steering wheel spinners were invented to speed up steering. Especially the ones with pictures of girls with big boobs. Tongue

By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago

Gary: I'm sure you are correct about changing to a smaller wheel for faster steering... however, I'm also pretty sure that it will build additional arm muscle when trying to park!

By LordMrFord - 15 Years Ago

So '56 box is interchangeable and a little bit faster than '59?

Is there any aftermarket steering box for '59?

13" Wheel might look pretty funny in big cabin like mine so maybe I go for 15".

I got nothing against big boobs and steering knobs, but Finnish goverment got.

Knobs are illegal in here(luckily big boobs are not).

By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago

I'm not sure the 56 steering box is interchangable with the 59 ford or not. I'm speaking about the steering being about one inch shorter which will help somewhat in the ratio being slightly quicker and not really changing much in the way it feels as being harder. I always thought the steering wheel in my 56 sunliner was too big so I changed too a smaller 56 tbird and what a pleasure to drive, it feels so much MORE normal. You might try a 57 tbird steering wheel to see if it helps. The bird steering wheel in the sunliner looks so natural you would'nt know it was'nt original because the horn ring fits perfectly and the bird wheel looks alot better than the passenger car style.

By charliemccraney - 15 Years Ago

Isn't faster steering inherently more difficult unless it's power assisted?

By LordMrFord - 15 Years Ago

charliemccraney (2/3/2009)

Isn't faster steering inherently more difficult unless it's power assisted?

Only on low speeds.*Smileyface*

By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago

Charlie, the larger steering wheels get combersome to work with, For instance my wife complained about the larger steering wheel being somewhat harder to deal with because they seemed alittle slow in making turns and a little more movement with the hands in going straight. After installing the slightly smaller tbird steering wheel not only did the ratio seem to feel a little quicker but the size of the wheel felt better and A LOT BETTER to deal with when parking, driving straight, and felt better driving around our mountain curves. Maybe my cars just drive great. My 56 bird steers beautifully with the original wheel and no power steering, so if things are not wore out there seems to be no reason the other cars want do as well as mine. I'm not counting the 1955 model year because of there quicker ratio in the steering box. 56, 57, 58, 59s if things are right should'nt be a problem. I'm assuming the car in question steers fine but just wants alittle quicker ratio without having to change the steering box.

By PWH42 - 15 Years Ago

I have one of the big boob type on my car and it doesn't help the steering,but I have convinced my missus that it does.

By Jim - 15 Years Ago

That must be how they got the name of suicide knobs! Watching that instead of the road! Hehe

By LordMrFord - 15 Years Ago

Hmmm... maybe I get one of those big boob things at my passenger seat, not to steering wheel.

By carl - 15 Years Ago

on a 56 ford you can use a steering arm from a t bird for a faster steering ,goes from a 43/4 turn to a 33/4 turn lock to lock.you can also use a 55 ford station wagon front stablizer on the cars to stiffen them up.the stablizer bar on a 55 wagon has a larger diameter than the full size cars Carl Ohio

By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago

R jim: When you say it jambs, do you mean it has a hard spot in it or is it jamming on full lock? Hard or flat spots are not uncommon with 55-56 & even 57 boxes, especially after 50 years of use. It usually means that the Sector or Worm is damaged & the bearings could also be worn. The difficulty I found is that few suppliers have "all the parts" to rebuild them. Also as I understand it, 55 & some early 56 boxes have a 2 tooth setup & later ones are three tooth. 1958 & later boxes are an improved design, but I don't think they will bolt in your car. Someone else here may have other information to offer.

By Teros292 - 15 Years Ago

Retrojim,

If the play is straight a head position and you adjust it away it gets too tight when you fully turn steering. Those box gears wear more on the middle than from sides. I think only fix for that is to get new gears, I once ordered for a friends 56 that worm gear only and it helped a lot.

By ecode ragtop - 15 Years Ago

GO TO A RACK AND PINION SET UP AND INSTALL A SPORT RACK, SHOULD BE QUICK ENOUGHT TOM

By LordMrFord - 15 Years Ago

ecode ragtop (3/17/2009)

GO TO A RACK AND PINION SET UP AND INSTALL A SPORT RACK, SHOULD BE QUICK ENOUGHT TOM

What car have same size Mustang II front axle than '59 Sedan?

By yfreak57 - 15 Years Ago

Here is answer to our steering problems: http://www.wurthitdesigns.com/

Only difficulty is how to prove to Finnish inspection that this rack and pinion system is strong enough to our cars ('57-'64).

By ecode ragtop - 15 Years Ago

MR.FORD A COMPLETE RACK AND PINNION SET UP THAT WILL BOLT IN TO A 57-59 FORD IS SOLD BY S AND T FABRICATION IN ILL. THEY ALSO SELL A KIT FOR 1954-56 CARS. CONTACT AT 815-742-6365 ASK FOR SPARKY OR E-MAIL JMS5477@YAHOO.COM HOPE THIS HELPS

By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago

I don't have the article in front of me, but as I recall someone wrote to YBM to say that their Wurthit kit had installation problems & also resulted in a larger turning radius. Maybe someone else on here can confirm this info or not. Jim, if you are pulling the engine out, then you could then pull the steering box & dismantle it and see if it might be repairable. You could try Concours Parts or Dennis Carpenter Reproductions, but like I said they don't appear to have all the parts that might be needed for a rebuild. Good luck..

By butchbov - 14 Years Ago

crenwelge (2/2/2009)

Steering wheel spinners were invented to speed up steering. Especially the ones with pictures of girls with big boobs. Tongue

Those things always gave me trouble. I kept trying to stop & look at the picture Tongue

By Roy - 14 Years Ago

Don't know if this will help but I just bought a 09 Toyota power steering column. Should have it in a day or two. Its electric powered. There's an electric motor on the column. Looks like the motor will end up under the dash and then it can connect (one way or another) to the existing column, modified no doubt. So you leave your steering box and this motor somehow knows when to help and how much. The guy included the wiring harness plugs to help a little, but I'll definitely need to do some thinking. I can't believe all I need to do is add power. But who knows. If your interested, I'll update you.

As far as the steering that is locking up at the extreme ends, you may want to check that the spindle stops are properly adjusted. Also, as someone mentioned, the middle of the worm gear gets the most use and the chrome hard face wears off leaving a softer metal in contact with the steering gear. As you adjust for the wear in the middle, you tighten the extremes and they can lock up or not allow you to turn as tight a radius. Without the hardface it will wear quickly and can be dangerous. I have bought some NOS steering parts from Joblot in NY.

Hope this helps. Roy in New Hampshire

By Roy - 14 Years Ago

I forgot to mention, when you adjust your steering box, most people use the adjusting screw only, but at least on my 52 Ford F1, there are also shim gaskets that tighten or loosen the bearing end gap. Sometimes that can get sloppy and people turn the screw in too far to make up for it. If the bearings have too much end play your steering feels real loose and the car wanders a lot. Tightening the screw can dampen it but not eliminate it. It can make for a bad situation. Roy

By slick56 - 11 Years Ago

[quote]Roy (1/7/2010)

By The Master Cylinder - 11 Years Ago

Didn't see it mentioned but you could lengthen your pitman arm to give it more travel over degree of movement. But of course it would be harder to turn the steering wheel. With your new Brodie Knob you will be 'drifting' in no time.

Desclaimer; The above is just a suggestion and highly not recommended. w00t

By oldcarmark - 11 Years Ago

If you are looking for parts to rebuild a stock 55-56 box be it 2 or 3 tooth sector shaft try Joblot Automotive.You can download their online Parts Catalog.They list various Parts including replacement input gears(reuse your existing shaft) as well as complete input shaft assemblies.Complete overhaul kits includes bearings and seals.The problem with these boxes seems to be the input gear-not so much the sector gear.I just bought a rebuilt box that the seller builds as a later 3 tooth sector shaft type box.He uses the 2 tooth ones for Thunderbirds.When I took my old 2 tooth box apart after it was out the problem was obvious.Section of the input shaft gear was gone.In the middle of the travel which is where the gear mesh is the closest.I will post a pic if I get a chance.When I was looking for parts before buying a complete box Joblot seemed to have more parts to rebuild mine.Carpenter had an NOS Sector shaft in his inventory.The new box is quite an improvement as far as turning effort etc.I just ordered 2 new bushings from Joblot to repair my Idler Arm which is causing freeplay in the middle.Get that fixed and that should be it.

By PF Arcand - 11 Years Ago

Oldcarmark:When you refered to"free play in the middle" are you meaning that the steering is loose or wanders at centre? And how can I check to see if my idler arm bushings are worn? With the wheels on the ground every thing appears tight, although I've had problems trying to get the idler arm to accept grease. My 57 c/w a 58 box is loose on center & on some surfaces wanders quite badly. Ive adjusted the centre screw some, but don't want to over tighten it.. Any info appreciated.- Paul

By oldcarmark - 11 Years Ago

Hi Paul! I posted the question on the technical the other day and regarding how much vertical play there should be in the idler arm.About 1/8 inch max.You shouldn't be able to move it up and down by hand more than 1/8 inch.I have about 1/2 inch play.With the weight on the wheels the linkage moves without moving the wheels until the slack in the idler arm is taken up.Very noticeable when driving straight.Dead spot in the centre.I had the alignment done on Monday and the Mechanic said it just needs the bushings replaced.Chevrolet used the same type of idler in theirs and he has owned a bunch over the years.If you look at Ebay item # 190648905331 that's the bushings.I ordered 2 from Joblot and 2 seals.Bushings are $4.00 each and the seals $2.00.Part # MB 3356 Bushing and A 3359 Seals.You should check your idler arm as the play might not be in the box at all.

By aussiebill - 11 Years Ago

oldcarmark (8/16/2013)

Mark, you,r on right track, my only suggestion is the bushes are the same as a nut rotating on a bolt and hence i think you could share the wear between both, so would be better to replace idler arm assy to rule out any wear on the idler shaft threads also. Smile

By oldcarmark - 11 Years Ago

I think you are right Bill.I have ordered a complete Idler Arm-NORS American Made.Not one of the "Repro's" offered by several Dealers.And you know what-it was cheaper than any of the Repro's!