Steering: Ross Steering Box

[Cus63]

Just about to install the front clip, but thought I better sort out my steering issue first. All the tie rod ends etc have been replaced, but there's a bit of slack in the steering box (Ross),
have mucked around with the adjustment, back off from binding & is not much better, also have a small oil weep, not sure if it's from the cover or shaft.
I've read about the "Tight Steer" they look good, but there's no room once the front fender goes on, with the inner guard being very close on my car (RHD), but could drill a whole
so it protrudes for adjustment. Has anyone tried the Tight Steer?

regards, Cus

[Topper2011]

My friend Allen put it on his 1950 truck and swears by it. I put it on my 1956 Willys and I didn't notice any improvement.

[RadioRoy]

It depends on the condition of the other components in the steering box. Now is as good a time as any to rebuild the box, or at least open it up for an assessment.

[Cus63]

Thanks Roy,
I opened it up, all looks pretty good to my eye, but not an expert on these things, gave it a good clean out & cut a new cover gasket, filled with 85/140 gear oil.
has about 2 1/4 play, but have an annoying weep out the top, maybe I put too much oil in,

regards, Cus

[Bo Markham]

Read the other post above about the "Tight Steer" gadget.

You might get away with an inexpensive rebuild at this point. Later, not so much. Using this gadget is a band aid at best. In the short term it is a cheap way of solving your problem. Later, not so much.

Your money, your car.

You didn't say what vehicle you have? When you looked at the pin(s) were there flat spots on either side? Could you see a ware groove pattern inside the worm gear? Is there any lateral movement in the cam and lever shaft (sector shaft) at the pitman arm?

One will usually leak out around the cam and lever shaft (sector shaft) seal. Shouldn't be any other particular reason for lubricant coming out the top of the box, unless you some how over filled it, as you suggest. You should only fill the box until it just starts to seep out the fill hole.

Good luck with the ole girl.

Bo

[Cus63]

Thanks Bo,
it's a '61 Hawk, couldn't see any visible wear, looked Ok to me, apparently under 100K miles on it, no oil coming out the cam lever, all the steering front end is tight.
Will be interesting to go for a proper drive once I've done the wheel alighment.

*With regards to the Tight Steer, I think I'll sit on the fence with that one, I think the tension should be just over the middle of the worm,
not constant, even under spring loading, it all sounds good in theory, but I'm a bit suspect about it.

regards, Cus

[Bo Markham]

Thanks Bo,
it's a '61 Hawk, couldn't see any visible wear, looked Ok to me, apparently under 100K miles on it, no oil coming out the cam lever, all the steering front end is tight.
Will be interesting to go for a proper drive once I've done the wheel alighment.

*With regards to the Tight Steer, I think I'll sit on the fence with that one, I think the tension should be just over the middle of the worm,
not constant, even under spring loading, it all sounds good in theory, but I'm a bit suspect about it.

regards, Cus

Yes sir, with the wheels up, if the adjustment screw is properly set, you should feel an extremely slight bind, or hard spot when the two gears are at dead center. Most of us understand that the steering, if properly set, will be as good as it was when Studebaker was extant, but will never be on the same par as today's technological precision steering.

Good driving with the ole girl.

Bo