Model B & Model 40/46
Model A Ford Garage
Steering Sector Housings
This pic shows the relative differences between the 1932 steering sector housing on the left, and the 1933-34 sector housing on the right. Note the 'B-' prefix on the 1932 part number, and the '40-' prefix on the 1933-34.
The pic above illustrates the different rotational positions and attitude of the frame attaching flanges. 1932 is on the left, 1933-34 is shown on the right.
Also note that the 1932 housing (at left) has a small 'B' stamped in the machined face (red circle). That 'B' signifies that the steering gear assembly was a '-B' suffix part number, and was for a 1932 commercial chassis (Pickup and Delivery), not a passenger car.
The three-hole mounting pattern on this 1932 '-B' suffix commercial housing is rotated clockwise slightly (red arrow) compared to the 1932 passenger housing, and this places the column more upright for commercial chassis.
If you have a 1932 steering column that does not line up properly with the frame holes on your 1932 car, it very well may have a commercial truck sector housing. Both 1932 housings were machined from the same casting, with the holes slightly rotated off-center on the ears (red arrow) for commercial use. Check yours!
The 1932 commercial housing on the left is also shown with needle bearings and a seal installed, though that is not original. The sector housings all originally had rolled bronze bushings and a cork gasket to the frame.
I do not recommend the change to roller bearings due to brinelling of the shaft which is caused by the hardened rollers crabbing in their shell race. This failure is similar to that seen on modern universal joints with needle rollers.
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The original sector housings all had solid rolled bronze bushings. Later era Ford replacement bushings were steel and bronze 'Clevite' type construction (Cleveland Graphite). I recommend using the stronger Clevite #0978 bushings instead of solid bronze bushings. It is possible they will be a slightly loose fit to some reproduction sector shafts, but will fit original shafts and may even need honing.
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The addition of a modern lip oil seal (CR 11060) for the outboard end of the the sector shaft is a worthwhile improvement. This change requires the housing to be set up in a lathe or mill to cut a slight counterbore for the seal. Adding a seal gives up some valuable bushing surface area, but IMO it is a safe tradeoff to add the seal.
- Lastly, many people also recommend specifically using John Deere Special-Purpose Corn Head Grease in the steering sector housing rather than heavy oil. This grease is an extra-soft grease formulated for high and low temperature operation in slow speed gear cases. This grease flows and keeps the gear surfaces wetted with a high pressure lubricant, yet resists leaking out.
More related information on Ford Garage:
- For more Model A & B related information, use the Site Search box at the top or bottom of this page.
- Model A, B, & V8 Steering Shaft and Worm Gear Chart
- Model BB & 51 NOS 'Big Truck' Steering Wheel
- Model A, B, & V8 Steering Column Light Switch Rods
January 2002