I found a low mileage steering box out of a 55 Customline. Will it be compatible with my 56? If not what will need to be changed to make it work? 

Durham Missouri

The steering shaft is longer on a 55 than a 56,flat steering wheel on 55 and dished on a 56. Probably could use the 56 shaft in the box if tooth count is the same as the 55  Carl

Carl is likely correct, there were 2 different tooth counts in 55-56 boxes. I believe later 56s have an extra tooth. Caution re interchange of parts, as many old 55-56 boxes have worn hard facing problems on the worm & sector. I've experienced two that were really bad... Also same on a 1957 box. 1958 & later boxes are a  recirculating ball design, but as far as I know do not interchange with the 55-56 boxes. A 58 will basically interchange with a 57 box, but best to get the entire column assembly, because there are annoying horn & turn signal issues otherwise.     


Paul

Thanks. I think I might pass on it. If I'm going to have to open the box up to change shafts I might as well rebuild mine. That way I will have a new 0 mile box to go with the rebuilt front suspension.

Durham Missouri

I don't know enough to be sure about this. When I replaced the worn out box in my 55 bird, the local thunderbird restorer suggested I use a "three sector" box to replace the "two sector" box. He knew I wasn't going to do a restoration. He said they were a lot better.
That's what I had him do, and it worked fine. My box was so bad ( he said it was the worst he'd ever seen), anything would have been a help.

So maybe some research to cover my lack of knowledge will give a better end result.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I'm pretty sure the 55 and early 56 are 2 tooth sector box's. The later 56 is a 3 t [the but I haven't found any info on when the cut off was. My wagon was built in July of 56 so if I were to guess I would say it's a 3 tooth sector. The problem with that is the worm gear and shaft are available but not the sector gear. I was hoping that the 55 box would work as it only has 67,000 miles on it.

Durham Missouri