Steering: drag link differences

[Jerry Forrester]

I'm putting a Ross steering box from a '62 Hawk on Buttercup. There's more steer to the left than there is to the right.
My question is, is the drag link shorter on '62 Hawk than the one on a '55 coupe. Both, none power.

[6hk71400]

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't all 62's use a saginaw box? That might be the difference but I am not sure. My 55 has power steering which is the heavy saginaw system. I thought the change took place in 1961 to the saginaw system. I think early champions 53-55 also used saginaw box.

Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

[BobPalma]

Bob: Only Lark-types went to the Saginaw steering box in 1961...and to the end. Hawks kept the Ross box through their end.

Jerry: The part number on the reach rod changed for 1957 and later models, but I don't know why. The "drag link" (reach rod) is P/N 1542005 for 1957 and up, but 533060 for 1955 C-K only. BP

[Jerry Forrester]

Bob: Only Lark-types went to the Saginaw steering box in 1961...and to the end. Hawks kept the Ross box through their end.

Jerry: The part number on the reach rod changed for 1957 and later models, but I don't know why. The "drag link" (reach rod) is P/N 1542005 for 1957 and up, but 533060 for 1955 C-K only. BP

Thanks Bob, you too Bob.
That's good info to know, but that doesn't tell me what I need to know.
That's okay. I have a torch and a welder. I'll make it work.

[6hk71400]

Thanks Bob! I am still learning new things everyday which is a good thing. Bob, I know you have been writing columns and lots of stuff, but when are you going to publish a book? With the recent passing of Bill Cannon we need someone to document all things Studebaker. Just your personal musings would be valuable.

Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

[doofus]

Jerry, Speedway motors catalog can furnish all "Bits" needed to build a custom length reach rod, including tie rod ends.Doofus

[clarkwd]

Jerry, check out this thread.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?88443-53-Coupe-Reach-Rod-Replacement

I had the exact same problem. My buddy got me a reach rod from a GT Hawk that was 19 1/2 long. The book said I needed an 18 1/2 but I could not find one. I used a tie rod from an old Ford from my local U-Pick It that worked fine. Details on the link above.
Bill

[rkapteyn]

Most relevant Studebaker info is found here

http://www.studebaker-info.org

[gordr]

Jerry, what you really need to find is a Saginaw box from a Champion coupe. Far superior to the Ross in terms of steering effort. Dick Steinkamp got one from me for his S2D '53 custom, and he was very pleased with it.

[Jerry Forrester]

Jerry, what you really need to find is a Saginaw box from a Champion coupe. Far superior to the Ross in terms of steering effort. Dick Steinkamp got one from me for his S2D '53 custom, and he was very pleased with it.

Thanks Gord.
This '62 Ross box isn't the same as the '55 Ross box. That's one reason I'm using it. Another is the fact that it came from a 4 speed car and Buttercup will have a 3 speed OD W/ a Jeep gear shift. So I don't need the gear shift mechanism in the column.
Is the '62 Ross box inferior to the Saginaw?
I could even use a Saginaw box from a Lark since I'm doing some radical stuff to the column on the opposite side of the fire wall from the box and only need the bottom 12 inches of the mast jacket and steering post.
Maybe even one of those quick ratio Avanti boxes I read about in another thread. I didn't even know there was such an animal.
More about the radical modifications to the steering after I get a little farther along with the planning and fabrication.

[6hk71400]

Thanks Gord.
This '62 Ross box isn't the same as the '55 Ross box. That's one reason I'm using it. Another is the fact that it came from a 4 speed car and Buttercup will have a 3 speed OD W/ a Jeep gear shift. So I don't need the gear shift mechanism in the column.
Is the '62 Ross box inferior to the Saginaw?
I could even use a Saginaw box from a Lark since I'm doing some radical stuff to the column on the opposite side of the fire wall from the box and only need the bottom 12 inches of the mast jacket and steering post.
Maybe even one of those quick ratio Avanti boxes I read about in another thread. I didn't even know there was such an animal.
More about the radical modifications to the steering after I get a little farther along with the planning and fabrication.

I helped a friend of mine adapt a 61 Lark saginaw to his 58 Silver Hawk. We found one at a wrecking yard in Casa Grande and this box was solid. Even so, he went ahead and had it rebuilt for around $100.00. I like driving Larks with the saginaw and not at all tricky to adjust where the ross will ether bind with a little turn or be sloppy loose. All he did was weld on the shaft to the correct length to fit the Hawk. He has been pleased with it. I think he got the information somewhere on the procedure but not sure where. If you would like I can email him to find out.


Anyone else weigh in on the saginaw/ross question?

Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

[doofus]

Saginaw trumps ross every time! after years as mech on all makes and lots of stude exp JMHO, Doofus

[BobPalma]

Thanks Bob! I am still learning new things everyday which is a good thing. Bob, I know you have been writing columns and lots of stuff, but when are you going to publish a book? With the recent passing of Bill Cannon we need someone to document all things Studebaker. Just your personal musings would be valuable. Bob Miles

Thanks, Bob, but I doubt that I'll ever do a book. I enjoy writing and spent almost nine years full-time in the book publishing business at The Howard W. Sams & Co. and its Bobbs-Merrill Educational Publishing subsidiary, and really don't have any interest in tackling my own.

Lots of writing to do in however many years I've got left (I'm 69), but not a book. I'll stick with Turning Wheels articles, The Co-Operator, and whatever they want me to do at Hemmings Publications.

Thanks again. BP