VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Steering

My old '33 chevy is a bitch to steer. I've tried adjusting it to the factory instructions but that's pretty much a waste of time. I'm thinking of modifying the original column to accept a chevy Vega box. Has anyone done this and can they give me a few pointers? Thank you.

ron

If you could explain the problem you are having with the steering perhaps someone may be able to help.

If your steering sector is worn out you can check with Lars Mfg to to see if they can rebuild it. They do some later Chevy sectors. Look 'em up on line. The '41-'48 box typically runs about $300.

I they can do it, you may be able to run it through Rock Auto and save some of the cost.

These steering gears wear out over the years and no adjustment will make them serviceable. The sectors are not too hard to find but the worm wears to the extent that even with a new sector the steering has too much slop in the center position. The worm gear is not available as far as I know. Don't like to go with something that's not original but I like driving the car so I guess I'll have to compromise. I was asking if somone has modified their steering using the Vega box, and how did they do it. I'm not hot-rodding my car, just want to drive it.

Back in the 70's we mostly used ford mustang boxes mounted up side down on the inside of the frame thru home made bracket. This bracket was bolted to the frame thru 3/8" bolts. Not sure if I threw mine out or not when car was redone in 90's . May still be in a scrap parts box. When you know what it looks like and how its mounted its easy to do.

Street rod magazines of the early 70's would show building cars with these. Maybe Filling Station or another shop sells something ???

We used the stock ford steering arm with 5/8" or 3/4" spherical rod ends......commonly called heim which is just a brand. We used these to make a new side drag link as stock. A hardened washer the size larger than the ball in the spherical rod end was used with a bolt and nylock nut to make sure it never came apart thru vibration.

You would also have to use the RAG JOINT as it was called, that connected your steering box to steering column. you would have to use the other part of the rag joint that was on the mustang column. Your stock column most likely will have to be shortened. Not sure but I think the rag joint was splined on the box ???? , if so you could use a BORGESON steering U joint on one side and create a D on the steering column by filing it too shape > These are what is used for steering connections today.

The ratio on those manual steering boxes was around 14-16 to 1 .

The cars were easy to turn and the steering boxes were easily rebuilt by a shop who specialized in it.

mike