Adding steering column support bracket to my 22

[Reno Speedster]

I am just about to order some parts and I have been thinking about adding a bracket to support the steering column in my 1922. It has had the wood firewall replaced with a metal one so the column is a bit wiggly. It has the dashboard. I have been looking at the options available and it looks like I could add an aftermarket column style brace or one of the later ford ones that bolt or rivets to the dash. The former would be more historically accurate I would think, but I think either would be effective. Anyone done this to theirs? What did you choose and what was involved.

[Craig Leach]

Hi Morgan,
I'm not sure the earlier bracket will clear your metal dash? My neighbors touring had a metal dash with no bracket and the wabbly steering column was starting to crack the firewall. I mounted a three rivet mount on the dash and it made the car much safer to drive. I believe the part you are looking for is the 3500C. More money than the 3500H. Hope some one has a better idea on the fit but I think the C is for a wood dash. ICBW
Craig.

[DanTreace]

Suggestion by Craig is likely good and easy. That bracket is available used or repro. Ford riveted the dash panel bracket on the open cars, but bolted (single slot, round head machine screw) them on closed, Service Bulletin stated to bolt on if dash panel was in the open car, as riveting in place too difficult.

Or the accessory one's in Lang's catalog will fit. Just needs holes drill up high.

Here are some original accessories used prior to Ford making it's version.

Ford bracket used beginning early spring 1923.

IMG_1832 (640x480) (2).jpg (84.72 KiB) Viewed 2065 times

Nellie, my early '23 Cut-off, with steel firewall didn't have the bracket, as it was built before the new dash panel bracket. So found this 'home forged' bracket at Chickasha swap, the ole farmer heated up the forge, and split and bent this iron piece. The surround metal part is from a speedometer bracket he used! Crafty folks back then!

[TXGOAT2]

I'd want a brace on any T that didn't have one.

[Reno Speedster]

I ordered one of the later brackets to install. Looking forward to getting the steering all back together. When all done it will have new 5-1 steering parts (the full conversion kit), a new bushing in the lower bracket, a new pitman arm and tie rod ball, Apco drag link ends, and a steering column to dash bracket. That should make quite a difference in how it drives since things were pretty worn out when I took it apart. I also painted everything while it was apart, so it will look better as well.

[Scott_Conger]

Morgan, spend some time researching proper pitman arm length (there are 3 lengths) and radius rod lengths (3 lengths here, too, I believe) and ensure that you are putting together a matched set of parts that are correct for your year car. As far as buying the right stuff, just because it came on the car to you doesn't mean it was right. Mismatched parts can lead to all sorts of trouble.

The APCO parts really work nicely and I have then on my drivers...be sure to keep them cleaned and greased as they can contribute to significant wear if you don't

[Reno Speedster]

Good points all. This is the first I have heard of different pitman arm lengths. I have not gotten into the radius rods yet. I am thinking of making some new seats for the Apcos. They are pretty small in diameter (much smaller than the bore they run in) and they are pretty rough as they come. At the least, I should polish them up in the lathe. I wonder if the are hard.

[Mark Nunn]

This shows the late pitman arm that was on my '26 Runabout (black with submicroscopic ball) and an earlier, rusty arm with a better ball. You can see the angle difference.

[DanTreace]

Here's another comparison of ball arms.

The '26-'27 has steeper angle, if you lay it upright, measure to top of ball, should be over 4". The earlier are shorter or shallow in angle.

The factory '26-'27 has casting numerals 929C, that is the Factory Number of the Ball Arm T-3547B

The earlier (about '13 - '25 Ball Arm is T-3547, Factory Number 929B. The reproductions are the 929B shape, repro shown in foreground.

[Reno Speedster]

Thanks, mine is the earlier style (correct for my 22) so the repro one I just ordered will be fine.

[Reno Speedster]

One more question…. When I got the later dash mounted steering column bracket from the dealer it did not fit the steering column very well, only touching in the center. I scribed and filed the bracket so it fit much better (it didn’t take much).

Later, in looking through the catalogues I came across a rubber piece that goes on the edge of the bracket to keep it from rubbing directly on the steering column. This seems like a useful thing that would improve the bracket to column fit and prevent wear and possible squeaks. But, I don’t see this little thing in any of the pictures I have seen of the later steering column brackets installed. Was this used by the factory or not? I am installing the bracket on my 22 pickup so period correctness is not really an issue, but I am wondering
what was done in period.