1948-1952 Shop Service Manual - - Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club

13 - 10 STEERING GEAR
2. Check steering column jacket tube clamp at steering gear
housing and tighten securely if loose.
3. Turn steering wheel about one turn to the right from
straight ahead position.
4. Place one hand around the jacket tube with side of finger
barely touching lower edge of steering wheel hub.
5. Have a helper shake the front wheels hard sidewise.
6. End play is indicated if the steering wheel hub moves
away from or against the finger.
WORM BEARING ADJUSTMENT:
If end play exists in the worm bearing, the following
adjustment is necessary:
1. Disconnect drag link at pitman arm.
2. Remove left frame to cowl brace.
3. Loosen the four worm cover bolts about 1/8".
4. Use a knife to separate the top shim. (Use care not to
damage remaining shims.)
5. Remove one shim at a time and retighten cover.
6. After each shim is removed turn steering wheel through
entire radius to determine if any stiffness exists.
7. If stiffness is felt, replace shims until steering wheel turns
freely.
8. Attach drag link to pitman arm and replace frame to cowl
brace.
STEERING GEAR ALIGNMENT:
Steering gear misalignment is indicated if stiffness exists
in steering gear that cannot be eliminated with worm cover
shims without resulting in excess worm bearing end play.
Align steering gear as follows:
1. Disconnect drag link at pitman arm.
2. Loosen three bolts attaching steering gear h o u s in g
to frame and allow housing t frame and allow housing
to shift to angle determined by attachment of steering
column to bracket at instrument panel.
3. Retighten frame bolts to 50-60 foot pounds.
4. Loosen bolts attaching steering column bracket at
instrument panel and allow bracket to line up with
steering column. Then tighten bolts.
5. Connect drag link to pitman arm.
ROLLER MESH INSPECTION:
Improper mesh of roller with worm gear is indicated by
excess free play or stiffness in the steering wheel. Inspection
for proper mesh should not be made until worm bearing
endplay and gear alignment have been checked and corrected
if necessary. If free play or stiffness continues, check
mesh of roller with worm:
1. Disconnect drag link at pitman arm.
2. Turn steering wheel to straight ahead position.
3. Shake pitman arm to determine amount of lost motion. If
lost motion exceeds 1/32", adjust roller for proper mesh.
4. Attach pitman arm to drag link.
ROLLER MESH ADJUSTMENT:
1. Disconnect pitman arm from drag link.
2. Remove left side dust shield.
3. Turn steering wheel to straight ahead position.
4. Remove roller shaft adjustment screw lock nut and lift
lock plate clear of boss on housing.