After weeks of soaking with penetrating fluid I still cannot get the steering gear adjusting nut to budge. I have the column out of the car so I finally unscrewed the worm gear housing from the nut but the nut still will not turn on the steering column. Before I try heat and a big wrench is there any secret here? Is the nut also threaded on the steering column and unscrews counterclockwise or does it just sit on the column?
Russ,
The locking nut on the worm gear adjustment screw should only be hand tight. It's been awhile since I did this adjustment and I don't remember anything unusual. This nut is directly opposite the oil fill Zerk fitting. I believe the adjustment screw should be held in the tighten direction while turning the lock screw in the loosen direction. This should not require a great amount of force ?? Right tight left loose. I think it may be important to put a little pressure on both screws in order to break the lock. I think always in opposite directions to lock or unlock.
Here again I can't say for sure because its been just too long since I played with this. Now with my gravel guard in place and the main brake line in the way I don't want to mess with it.
Chet, I am not talking about the steering worm adjusting screw and lock nut. I am referring to the large nut on the column itself that screws into the steering gear housing. I believe it is referred to as the steering gear worm adjusting nut and is right above the steering gear housing clamp bolt which locks the housing on to the steering column.
Are you talking about this Nut below:
(http://www.1948plymouth.info/galley/var/resizes/chetbrz/SteeringBox-01.jpg?)
Or are you talking about the Nut on the back side., opposite the Pitman Arm. I believe the front side (Pitman Arm) might be a reverse thread. ?? I don't remember.
If the threads are visible you can run a thin wire or nail to see which way the threads turn. Just a suggestion.
That is the one. I was able to remove the steering gear housing by unscrewing it counter clockwise as opposed to using the nut that you show. I assume the normal procedure would have been to use the nut but it won't budge. I was going to apply some heat but do not want to damage anything. That nut appears to be used to move the worm gear up and down on the steering shaft so I assume it must turn although I guess it's possible the nut is just there to hold the column while you screw the housing on.
The steering column is also out of the car ? yes/no ?
That may not be a nut but part of the screw assembly #33 see below.
(http://www.1948plymouth.info/galley/var/resizes/chetbrz/SteeringBox-02.jpg)
That nut is listed as thrust adjusting nut . You must first loosen dash bracket and bottom clamp . So that says to me it is fixed to tube . The nut / tube is then snugged down and backed off 1/4 turn . This is done with front end off ground .
Thanks that is just the information I was looking for. That's why I was asking the question. I assumed the nut had to move on the column but in fact the nut turns the column.
What resource do you have for that kind of information? I hate flying blind on this project but have not been able to find any really helpful reference material. That's why this forum is so valuable!
From my truck BOI with same inerts .
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More .(//)
Same info in my Plymouth Instruction Book Fifth Edition May 1929. Reprints show up on eBay or they use to.
Another good book to have is the Plymouth Master Parts List 1928 - 1933
I have the master parts list but that does not provide any servicing material. I actually have the original owners manual for my car but did not think to look at it. I should have realized that in those days the owners manual covered practical maintenance issues unlike the owners manuals of today that are filled with ridiculous warnings for insurance purposes and instructions for programming the electronics! Thanks again for all the help.
Your Welcome .
Not sure if you managed to loosen the thrust nut. But there is a pinch bolt which needs to be loosed before the thrust but can move.
On mine.
The nut can free spin on the column shaft.
Ian
Ian, I never got mine to turn and stopped trying after getting the information here about how to make the adjustment. It certainly looks like it would turn but I put plenty of force on it without any movement. Thinking it through now it makes sense that it does not move because if it did the steering column could slide up and down even after the nut that sets the location of the worm gear is in place and the locking bolt on the steering box is tightened. That is because the locking bolt keeps the steering box locked on the threads of the nut and not on the column itself. I suppose the fact that your nut turns on the shaft doesn't matter as long as the steering box is fixed on the frame and the steering column is held in place by the bracket on the dashboard. That way I don't think anything can move even if the nut is not fixed to the column.