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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 36 and 37 steering column tube grommet

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Discussion Topic: 36 and 37 steering column tube grommet

BRL

04-19-2024 @ 9:10 AM

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Hi Guys:
I am restoring my steering column in my 37 Phaeton and have the steering tube out. I pressed the upper bearing (40-3517-A) out and have a replacement as you see in the attached photo. Below the upper bearing, just next to the oblong hole in the tube, there was a plastic sleeve or grommet. When I attempted to press it out it crumbled and fell apart...see photo. From my parts book, this appears to be "steering shaft grommet", part number B-3533. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement? Does anyone know the purpose of this part?....it is not readily apparent to me the function of the grommet. It was located just above the oblong hole...is this the correct location?

1931 Flamingo

04-19-2024 @ 9:18 AM

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You could try BARNFIND08 on the FORDBARN. He might have what you're looking for.
Paul in CT

trjford8

04-19-2024 @ 9:38 AM

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Most people replace that sleeve with a bearing. That sleeve centered the column on the upper part of the shaft. There is a retrofit bearing sold by most early V-8 parts dealers that replaces the sleeve and actually makes the steering easier.

v8fordman

04-19-2024 @ 7:25 PM

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You may not want to press the new bearing or bushing down the tube as far as you say it was. Remember, this supports your steering shaft so the closer to the end of your tube, the better the support.

40 Coupe

04-20-2024 @ 5:43 AM

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B-3533 is not necessary and can be removed and not replaced. There is a modern replacement for the upper bearing that can reduce friction and slightly help reduce steering effort.

BRL

04-20-2024 @ 9:40 AM

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Hi Guys:
Thanks for the advice...I am going to powdercoat the steering tube the correct color and while it is being painted I can research the availability of a sleeve or just leaving it out as suggested.

BRL

05-22-2024 @ 12:33 PM

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Hi Guys:
I just received the engineering drawing for the steering shaft grommet, p/n B-3533. From the dimensions and material (85-90 durometer rubber), it appears the "plastic" part I pressed out and fell apart was actually the original grommet and was so hard and brittle it appeared to be plastic. The engineering drawing indicates the grommet ID is .775" +/-.002" and the area of my steering shaft it fits on is measured as OD .761"...so assuming the shaft is perfectly concentric with the steering tube, there is no contact. I can see that there may be some contact due to runout of tolerances with the attachment of the steering shaft and steering tube to the gearbox.

The B-3533 drawing was obsoleted in October of 1937 so this tells me it was decided by Ford to leave the part out since it did not do anything. The 1931 version of the drawing has some hand written notes to increase the ID "to provide shaft clearance and reduce noise". So by 1937 I am guessing the production engineers started to question the purpose and usefulness of the part and it may have been causing problems on the assembly line...excess steering friction I am guessing.

So as I assemble my steering tube now that it has been re-painted, I am going to leave the B-3533 grommet out and just replace the upper bearing (40-3517-A). I also have not found any NOS, NORS, or reproduction parts for the grommet.

40 Coupe

05-23-2024 @ 4:57 AM

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In most cases, powder coating is not a good idea.

BRL

05-23-2024 @ 10:00 AM

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Hi 40 Coupe:
Well, I have got my steering tube and steering drop back from the powdercoater and they look beautiful. I did have a discussion with the powdercoater before the job was started about the tight fit of the drop and the tube and he said he would not use a primer and keep the coating thin...and mask all the internal surfaces of the drop. I have yet to assemble them so I will advise if it is going to be a problem.

Getting back to the B-3533 grommet, I got a message from the librarian at the Benson Ford Research Center who located some
engineering release cards on the grommet. The first card from 1931 says "Obj Prevent failure of lock to hold due to deflection of steering shaft." The last card from 1937 says "Removed reqm'ts and obsoleted" and "Replaced by 81A-3533 for Parts & Service."
So another possible reason the grommet was in there was to insure concentricity of the steering shaft and tube so the steering lock plunger would engage...maybe the steering system changed enough between 1931 and 1937 to where this was not a problem anymore.

3w2

05-23-2024 @ 1:25 PM

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Don't leave it out. A bronze bushing-lined reproduction is available from Drake or Third Gen or use an actual bearing like later model Fords. (The original was made of rubber and unlined.)

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