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Author Topic: Help, Ross steering gear turns?  (Read 1922 times)

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Offline BobM

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Help, Ross steering gear turns?
« on: March 16, 2019, 08:33:10 AM »
OK at the risk of sounding like a Jeep rookie, How many turns should you get on the Ross steering box in the 1950 CJ3A? I just finished up the steering system. The box rebuild went well. I had to replace the tube/worm gear assembly because the threads at the steering wheel were destroyed. The sector shaft and bushings were perfect and not replaced. New snap ring and bearings (the type that are captured in plastic for easy install). It went back together well and turns smoothly. I am at a loss however for how far it turns. I am only getting one and a little over a half turns of the steering wheel lock to lock. It doesn't seem like it turns the wheels much. All the geometry is to the book. The wheel ends do not come anywhere near the stops on the axle tubes. Is this all the turning there is? I hope all is good! Am I learning about the turning radius of a 1950 Jeep?

Offline specialty

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Re: Help, Ross steering gear turns?
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2019, 08:52:28 AM »
Did you shim it right  at the top? Been awhile since I messed with mine but if the set screw is to tight it will hit on the high side of the shaft and lock it up. Might try backing it off a little

Offline Rus Curtis

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Re: Help, Ross steering gear turns?
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2019, 10:05:31 AM »
Your knuckles should hit the stop screws on the axles. 

Also check for interference with the components between the box and wheels, i.e. bell crank, connecting rod and steering gear arm. 

I remember checking full travel before hooking up these parts and I seem to recall around 2.5 stop to stop (on the steering gear box).
'54 CJ-3B "Green Gruntt"
Bantam T3-C

Offline BobM

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Re: Help, Ross steering gear turns?
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2019, 03:07:55 PM »
Good call you guy's! It is shimmed correctly. I have a nice light load on the shaft.
The problem was exactly as specialty thought. The Sector shaft backlash screw was in to far. Russ is also right on 2 and 5/8 turns lock to lock.
When I set it up on the bench I was paying attention to the drag through he middle on the adjustment. I forgot to even check full sweep. Set up that way, it hits the the end pads on the sector shaft and stops it. I had to adjust it for a slight drag across the end stop and the middle is what it is. The middle pad is worn down further than the ends. As designed the middle should be the tight spot. Oh well it Doesn't seem to loose in the high point. I hope it will be oK. I guess a new sector shaft would fix all.
Thanks guy's!