Author Topic: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings  (Read 7250 times)

Offline 67350#1242

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Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« on: November 01, 2017, 01:35:36 PM »
Has anyone replaced the free floating ball bearings in their steering box?   Am looking for info on the size and possible source(s) for these bearings.
Thanks for any info,
Kurt.
67 Coupe SJ 11/16/66
67 GT350 SJ 2/01/67

Offline 67gta289

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2017, 01:43:16 PM »
I recall seeing the diameter somewhere, probably in VMF assuming you searched here and did not find.  If my memory is good the conclusion was that it is not readily available in the size and the best source was from the donor ranks.  There are a lot of donors out there so you might want to post a wanted ad with quantity needed.
John
67 289 GTA Dec 20 1966 San Jose
7R02C156xxx
MCA 74660

Offline 67gta289

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2017, 02:25:44 PM »
 I went over and found the information posted, which is attributed to Chockostang:  There are 62 balls with a 0.230" diameter.   There were quite a few posts looking for a place to purchase them but there were no answers...other than donors.
John
67 289 GTA Dec 20 1966 San Jose
7R02C156xxx
MCA 74660

Offline 67350#1242

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2017, 02:32:59 PM »
Thanks for the reply - I read same VMF thread.  Too bad its an odd size.   
I was preplanning a box rebuild and am not sure I will need new brgs but wanted to be prepared in case.  The box is still in car and seems to work OK just a little loose and leaky lower seal.  Hope I will not need any brgs.
Kurt.
67 Coupe SJ 11/16/66
67 GT350 SJ 2/01/67

Offline 67gta289

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2017, 04:59:59 PM »
Step #1 don't lose any ;)  No need to ask me how I know.  Funny how they end up rolling into the hardest to find places.
John
67 289 GTA Dec 20 1966 San Jose
7R02C156xxx
MCA 74660

Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2017, 12:25:25 AM »
Any of the mustang parts places sell a steering box rebuild kit which comes with the ball bearings, needle bearings and seals.  I've used the kit maybe 5-10 times with no issues.

NOS bearings can be found, but will be a bit of work to hunt down and will end up being about 3-4X the cost of the repro parts.
Charles Turner - MCA/SAAC Judge
Concours Mustang Forum Admin

Offline WGM

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2017, 01:20:14 PM »
http://www.precisionballs.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=0.230+chrome+steel&x=0&y=0
Bought chrome steel balls from here.Got enough for two boxes and sent the extras to Dan (Chock).Box has not been installed as of yet. Search VMF.You will find more info.
WGM

Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2017, 01:32:42 PM »
Back when rebuild kits were not so easily sourced parts maybe 25 ,30 years ago we had to improvise. The bearings you could find but the ball bearings were harder to find. We would take all of the balls out ,clean and after inspecting the ball bearings for cracks abrasions etc. put all the good ones back.  Any damaged balls were replaced using a donor box for parts. We would typically have to add balls to the total count to compensate for wear and tighten clearances up. 
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline 67350#1242

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2017, 02:51:56 PM »
Quote
http://www.precisionballs.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=0.230+chrome+steel&x=0&y=0
Bought chrome steel balls from here.Got enough for two boxes and sent the extras to Dan (Chock).Box has not been installed as of yet. Search VMF.You will find more info.
WGM

I see the sizes are all slightly over 0.230".   It would make sense to use slightly oversize to tighten slightly worn box, but how much oversize without binding?    Do you have any recollection of exact size you used, and if you noted any binding, etc.?  I also presume chrome steel means the chrome is added to the steel and not plated.
Thanks for the info and link,
Kurt.
67 Coupe SJ 11/16/66
67 GT350 SJ 2/01/67

Offline WGM

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2017, 05:48:58 PM »
I see the sizes are all slightly over 0.230".   It would make sense to use slightly oversize to tighten slightly worn box, but how much oversize without binding?    Do you have any recollection of exact size you used, and if you noted any binding, etc.?  I also presume chrome steel means the chrome is added to the steel and not plated.
Thanks for the info and link,
Kurt.
I asked Dan the same question. His reply was as close to .230 as possible. Didn't discuss oversize to account for wear.
Not chrome plated as you presumed.No binding.Nice guy. Wouldn't be afraid to call him for guidance.
WGM
« Last Edit: November 02, 2017, 05:52:16 PM by WGM »

Offline 67350#1242

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #10 on: September 11, 2020, 10:57:35 AM »
67 Coupe SJ 11/16/66
67 GT350 SJ 2/01/67

Offline Badgas6228

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #11 on: November 23, 2020, 12:46:02 AM »
Kurt, Thanks for taking the time to post that. Greg Springer      Seattle
« Last Edit: November 23, 2020, 01:04:06 AM by Badgas6228 »

Offline 67350#1242

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2020, 09:45:51 PM »
Greg,  I assume you have or will be buying some of these.  Would you let us know how they work out?
I bought some from here last spring (before I saw the Ebay ad) and was planning to do mine this winter:

https://www.precisionballs.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=0.23+chrome&osCsid=7d1bdef7583a7ceb751f3108773c15f7&x=0&y=0

The 0.23006 is very slightly oversize but only .025% which I hope will work without binding - we shall see.   
67 Coupe SJ 11/16/66
67 GT350 SJ 2/01/67

Offline Badgas6228

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #13 on: March 08, 2021, 12:51:18 AM »
I was a Ford dealership steering specialist back in the seventies and 80s at a few Ford dealers. I rebuilt tons of Ford  steering boxes, power steering pumps, rack and pinions, and lots of tilt steering columns in the 80s, The Thunderbird Lincoln Continental tilt column assembly is identical to the 70 Mustang lt was kind of handy when I had to rebuild my tilt column for my70 Boss last year.I took my Boss steering box apart and cleaned everything up perfectly measured all 62 balls with a micrometer and they were all perfect size with no damage, so i won't be needing to buy any. I would be real careful about putting oversized balls in that steering box the possibility of binding and how would you determine how much wear is really in there I know it's not much but it's just food for thought.Thanks,    Greg Springer    Seattle
« Last Edit: March 08, 2021, 12:53:33 AM by Badgas6228 »

Offline Bossbill

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Re: Steering Gearbox Ball Bearings
« Reply #14 on: August 25, 2021, 04:51:52 PM »
When I counted the needle bearings I found 37 top and 37 bottom.
On assembly it's just like putting needle bearings in a transmission!
Bill
Concours  Actual Ford Build 3/2/67 GT350 01375
Driven      6/6/70 0T02G160xxx Boss 302
Modified   5/18/65 5F09A728xxx 347 Terminator-X 8-Stack
Race        65 2+2 Coupe conversion