'33 Steering Box

[Oxford Jack]

One thing I found when working on A7 steering boxes is that replacing the felt bush at the top of the column with Bronze bush really improved the steering on the road.

I've also had the problem of the steering wheel going too far down the spline, I turned up a thin ring dimensioned on the inside to fit in the groove at the top of the column and dimensioned on the outside to be a snug fit in the steering wheel recess. When this ring  is cut in half, both bits can be inserted and you can tighten the wheel against this ring without it binding on the column.

Hi Stuart,
Two interesting suggestions there. I have a lathe, but am not an experienced turner. The wall thickness of a top bush would seem to be very thin, presumably it should also match the back of the steering column where the bush comes out of the outer column. Do you have more info on how you achieved this please?
Regarding the thin split ring, which sounds an excellent solution, any further suggestions as to method would be helpfulThanks you

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Oxford Jack,
I did this and it helped. I also extended the steering arm at the axle to change the ratio to a more manageable one.
Whatever you do setting it up is the important thing.



Paul N-M

Hello Paul,
Thank you for the information and photos, what an exquisite solution yours seems.
A couple of questions please. Do you recall the size and source of needle roller thrust washers? Above the worm, I assume that you left the outer column bottom bush in place, so did you then also put the steel washer in as well?, Did you remove the upper worm washer and pin or rely on the washer/thrust ring that comes with the bearing?
Below the worm, I assume you left the bottom housing brass face in place and used the steel thrust washer above the bearing?
I see that you also have fitted an end extension to the inner column and made a brass bearing housing outside the box. I assume you did not need to keep the control tubes, which I hope to retain?
Adding two thrust bearings and possibly facing washers probably extends the overall length of the worm in the steering box, did that have any effect on how the outer column screwed into the steering box or have any knock on effects please?
Thank you for the photos, it is an enormous help.