The Ross steering box project has made more progress. I now have;
10 'worms" all made and case hardened
10 sectors all made and case hardened
10 levers all made and case hardened (these still need to have the splines cut in them using a "EDM")
I have 10 cases cast but not machined.
I am going to make a shaft that is hollow so a horn wire can go up the middle.
Les, pardon the newbie question, but looking over previous threads on this, I think I saw that the gear ratio of this box is 1:1, meaning that it works in conjunction with the stock Ford steering box at the top of the column?
If so, is the attraction of this box is the worm gearing, which eliminates the danger of "kick-back" from the front wheels to the steering wheel?
Mark
It is two turns lock to lock. The worm is "variable ratio" (the pitch changes as you progress to each end). I have copied the original in all ways except I am using Timken bearing instead of the original ball bearings on the worm and needle roller bearings on the sector. I think the ratio should work out fine. I guess I will find out soon
Les, Keep me posted on your progress. This is a long awaited project and glad to hear of your return to work on this box.
Gene
Thx for the kind words. I wonder how popular the horn wire option will be?
My horn has a big rubber ball so don't think it'll fit in the shaft? Maybe a power feed for the GPS? Hee hee. I like the light weight idea though.
'26-7 Canadian T's had the horn button on the centre of the steering wheel
And Apco made an accessory button for the center of the wheel. I see them from time to time at swap meets and on ebay, so they're not terribly rare.
All true Mike. I will only make a couple of them with hollow shafts as the tubing costs quite a bit more than solid shafting. Anyway they all seem to be committed (of the ones that are surplus to my needs).
Help me out on this.
Does this option do away with the gears in the top of the column?
Mack, Les I think so. I have a Ross but have not driven a car with it installed. When I set up the column I did not use gears. J
Would I be correct in guessing that one of the pieces in the bag converts the rotary motion to side to side?
Mark
Excellent observation!!! I believe the official name is "pitman arm"
Mack
Yes now the shaft will just run through the empty top gear case
Working around Model A's it took me a bit to get my mind around how it would work. Model A steering go out the side and the "pitman arm" swings front to back along the side of the frame so had to imagine it as set up for Model T and then I got it. Thanks
Ford went back to side-side pitman arm by 1936. 1937-48 are all the same.
Les,
I am not familiar with the Ross steering box. Is this an easy change over? Does the steering box use existing frame mounting holes?
Is there a waiting list for those interested in purchasing one when you are finished or are all spoken for?
Sounds like a very interesting project. Have you driven a Model T with this setup? Sounds like a great safety improvement for driving a T. You have my interest.
Another "Les"
I would trade my 1/2 acre of hell for one.
So Les are you teasing us with your project or do plan on making more then the ten? I for one would plunk down however much you would ask for one plus raise Jack an acre!
Les, as far as I know our Canadian sourced Ts all had the horn button on the steering wheel nut from the early 20's, if not a bit before that. The two wires loosely looped between the column through steering wheel spokes look a little untidy and one might expect them to be continually breaking off. In all my years of T driving I have had just one broken wire, easily fixed by baring a new section on the end and re-connecting it!
Just for interest.
Allan from down under.
Les, Jack, Jay
I am copying a original accessory item made for the T (with the improved bearings and seals as noted). The plan is that the original steering column tube is retained. The gear box bolts on in place of the lower bearing assembly using the original holes in the frame. So the installation should simply require pulling the stock T steering shaft and gears out. Remove the steering wheel from the stock gear. Slide the new parts in place and bolt up and install old top of the T gear box and add the steering wheel. Hopefully it will all work out this simple.
I wouldn't bet on me making more than 10, but it is possible if I can actually make a couple of dollars. These things are expensive and time consuming to do. I hope I can keep the cost down to $1,000.00 each. Most of them appear to be committed, but I am not accepting deposits
My true target is T's with front brakes.
I guess it would depend on size but have you thought about using a Model A two tooth shaft? It's hollow and has the broaching on the gear end for the gear.
Mark
The model A steering shaft is too short
The shaft is too short on the '37-48 Ford box, so I cut it off and joined it to a T shaft with a Ujoint. They're both 3/4". That also adds just a bit of safety.
Guess you did!
I wonder how well the T frame can handle the torsional stress of a sector type box? A stock T steering setup only applies lateral stress to the frame.
One of the accessory boxes I have has a bracket from the box to one of the engine pan bolts to stiffen it up torsionally:
(see this thread: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/397224.html?1382948652 )