steering box

[Chuck Wheeler]

When I had my steering box rebuilt I discovered that there were two different boxes used in the FC. The older one has much more "free play" than the newer design. The difference is in the spool valve design.If the steering wheel input shaft movesup and down when you move the wheel with the engine off you have the older design. It's not really mechanical free play but the amount of movement requires for the hydraulic system to react. At the time we had ours rebuilt there were none of the newer design available to see if they were interchangeable. With the rebuilt steering box, new tie rod ends, and bushings in the front end suspension (totally gone) our FC handles very well now. There is still the free play, but not slack, in the steering system. Nowon a straight road there is very little correction required. You want to be careful adjusting the sector shaft preload, it is done with the box unloaded using a torque wrench on the input shaft. Many people mistake eliminating free play with putting the steering box in a bind which increases wear. The seals were worn out in our steering box, but all other parts were in good condition. We are all used to rack and pinion steering in our cars. Drive a 50s or early 60s vehicle that have steering boxes andthey havemuch the same feeling as our FCs.

- Chuck Wheeler-

FC 31SB Fort Worth TX

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From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bubblerboy64
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2008 3:11 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Steering box

My bus is in the shop as we speak sorting our suspension and handling
issues. The fellows have told me that they have things in pretty
good order but are concerned about some "free travel" which they have
traced to the steering box. Now here is the issue. This steering box
was a rebuilt box which the previous owner replaced about 20K miles
ago. (The previous owner said this greatly improved the handling.)
The guys are telling me that my options are to live with this free
travel or get another remanufactured steering box. My concern is
that I might get another only to find its no better then the one I
have now. My fellows are also not really familiar with BB's and I
wonder if they are expection the impossible with this old FC? Any
suggestions or tricks which I might pass on to the shop. They did
say there was some type of adjustment that they were going to try to
make but it was "tricky" if they went just a little too far then the
steering would potentially have a tight spot or a hitch in it.( I may
not have that exactly right as to their discription but you likely
get the point. They said what they were going to adjust but that
didn't stick in the ole knoggin) The shop works on RV's and heavy
equipment and is very well respected. They don't see a lot of BB'ds
so if there is any thing I can pass along they are more then willing
for my information.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC