| Rich | -- 06-13-2012 @ 2:18 PM |
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I am in the process of getting ready to remove the steering box from by 1949 F-1. Question....what is the best way to remove the steering box? Can I pull it out from under the truck???? or do I need to take it out through the cab? Any assistance will be appreciated. Rich
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| Stroker | -- 06-13-2012 @ 3:13 PM |
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If you have access to a hoist or service pit, I'd pull off the steering wheel and pitman arm, and take it out the bottom. I doubt whether you will have enough headroom in the cab to extract it out the top. This will also allow you to leave the column in place, although you will have to loosen it from the dash in order allow enough movement to extract the pitman shaft from the frame rail.
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| Rich | -- 06-14-2012 @ 5:09 AM |
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Thanks Stroker for the reply. I have looked at the different possibilities..... drop from underneath or completely take it out from the cab. Both ways seem to have some issues. Taking it out from the bottom seems to encounter the crossmember or other front end parts. I do not have a pit or a lift. I can jack the truck up to some degree. Do you know of anyone who has remover the steering box? Thanks for the info. Rich
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| bonusbuilt1950 | -- 06-14-2012 @ 5:28 AM |
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Unless you can get it on a lift, don't bother taking it out the bottom. Disconnect the pitman arm at the box. Unbolt from the dash. Take all the plates off the floor under the mat. Remove the 2 pedal pads, they'll un-thread from the pedals. Then, unbolt box from frame. You will have to move the seat back as far as you can or remove it. Makes it easier if the seat is out the pass side. You will have to play with the pedals and push one or the other down as you wiggle the box past them. As you do, turn the assy out thru the drivers door. It may help to remove steering wheel first before you start. It's a pain, but that's how I have removed them out of 6 trucks I've stripped out for parts. Barry 50 F-1
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| Stroker | -- 06-14-2012 @ 8:45 AM |
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I wouldn't want to take issue with Bonus-Built's experience. My personal experience was swapping-out a 32 pickup box with a 56 pickup box many years ago. I also replaced my 38 wagon box with a low mileage 38 assy. about the same time. In both cases, I had access to a pit, and the exhaust removed, so that was the direction I went. If one were to do it in reverse of the way "Henry Did It", you'd have the cab off, and the engine out. Have fun!
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| Rich | -- 06-14-2012 @ 6:11 PM |
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Hello Barry, Thanks for the info for removing the steering box. As I stated earlier, it did seem like I would need to take it out the top side/through the cab. It just looked too busy under/around the frame/front end for me to get the box/steering shaft out. I have a rebuilt box to replace the orginal one and I sure hope this cuts the play out of the steering. All other parts on the front end are new with the exception of the steering box. Again, thanks. Rich 49 F-1
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| bonusbuilt1950 | -- 06-15-2012 @ 4:35 AM |
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I'm no expert by any means. I've tried taking it out the bottom which probably works great because there's nothing in the way for it to drop out. I've jacked the truck as high as I could, but the shaft is just too long. I just find that it works best for me to come out the top. Only better way would be if the cab wasn't there! Barry 50 F-1
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| 51f1 | -- 06-16-2012 @ 8:28 AM |
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I've done this twice, the last time within the last 2 or 3 months. You have to jack the front end up and remove the tie rod (it is in the way). Take the steering arm (sector) off, and remove the steering wheel. Take out the plates around the column at the floor board. Unplug the horn wire at the bottom of the column. Unbolt the column at the dash, and unbolt the steering box. Remove the box and column together from below. You cannot remove it into the cab. Richard
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| Rich | -- 06-16-2012 @ 4:42 PM |
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Rich, thanks for the info. From the discussion that we have had, I will try to jack the truck up as high as I safely can drop the tie rod bar, and hopefully will be able to pull out the shaff/box. If not, I will just have to try to go through the cab. Again, thanks to all who share their expertise.....I appreciate it. Rich 49 F-1
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| Rich | -- 06-16-2012 @ 4:44 PM |
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Rich, thanks for the info. From the discussion that we have had, I will try to jack the truck up as high as I safely can drop the tie rod bar, and hopefully will be able to pull out the shaff/box. If not, I will just have to try to go through the cab. Again, thanks to all who share their expertise.....I appreciate it. Rich 49 F-1
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| bonusbuilt1950 | -- 06-17-2012 @ 5:01 PM |
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51F1, I will have to disagree about taking them out thru the cab. I've done it many times as I stated. The seat is out of the truck. I've never been able to get a truck high enough on a jack and get it out, let alone feel safe doing it that way. Believe me, I've tried to do it that way. It is a pain doing it as the box likes to point down at the sector shaft end, but by manipulating the pedal arms ( pads must be off ) I can get them out. To each his own way............ Barry 50 F-1
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| 51f1 | -- 06-18-2012 @ 4:59 PM |
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I never tried to take my steering column and gear in my '51 F-1 out through the cab because it was obvious that I couldn't do it. It was probably interference with the seat that made me think that. I did install it from above when I restored the truck, and there was no seat in the cab. In any event, I have had no problem removing the steering column from below by jacking up the front end and removing the driver's end of the tie rod. I recently helped a friend do the same thing on a '50 model F-1. If you want to remove the seat, you can remove it from above. It just seems easier to me to remove it from below. It's not easy getting the seat in and out. I just checked the repair manual, and it says to remove it from below. It doesn't mention removing the tie rod, but I can't get mine out without removing it. Richard
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| Rich | -- 07-25-2012 @ 7:27 AM |
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Completed changing the steering box on the 49 F-1. Jacked it up, dropped the tie rod bar and it came out without issues. Thanks for all your input/suggestions on this venture to improve the steering. I now have a completely new front end. I must say the steering is much improved. Rich 49 F-1
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| Stroker | -- 07-25-2012 @ 5:04 PM |
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Rich: It's always nice to hear how a project comes out. I know my "drop it out the bottom" sounded like a lot of work, but that is the closest to replicating the factory method which involved dropping the cab "over the top". The key is to make sure the elevated chassis doesn't squash you like a bug. Obviously, you survived that, and we're grateful.
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