Active Active   Unanswered Unanswered

Steering gearbox adjustment

Bronze, stainless, chrome or steel. If you need information about the non-wood items on your Chris-Craft, pose your questions here.

Moderators: Don Ayers, Al Benton, Don Vogt

trebot
Posts: 82
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:05 pm
Location: Lexington, Michigan
Contact:

Steering gearbox adjustment

Post by trebot » Sat Sep 15, 2018 7:29 pm

Have a '56 Continental, new purchase. The steering gearbox has a bit of play in it. Is there adjustment on the gearbox?

User avatar
mbigpops
Posts: 441
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:18 am
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
Contact:

Re: Steering gearbox adjustment

Post by mbigpops » Sun Sep 16, 2018 8:36 am

No adjustment that I know of. Can you post a photo of the steering box ?

Can you describe what is happening in more detail ?

Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

User avatar
Bilge Rat
Posts: 383
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2015 4:02 pm
Contact:

Re: Steering gearbox adjustment

Post by Bilge Rat » Mon Sep 17, 2018 6:29 am

The steering gear is made by company called Gemmer and they were a parts supplier to Ford and other car manufacturers back in the day. It is a standard worm gear and sector with bearings and bushings, nothing too complicated. There should be a screw and nut at one end with a star shaped lock washer. You can try turning the screw in to see if the play is reduced, but you really should disassemble the gear to look at the internals. Lack of lubrication can cause wear. I just rebuilt the one in my '53 Sportsman and most parts are still available from old Ford parts suppliers. You don't want this to be too tight as it could affect steering when you need it the most!

Most people refill with high pressure grease rather than heavy oil to eliminate leaks. Since we don't use our boats in freezing weather, the cold grease won't affect steering like in a car.
Last edited by Bilge Rat on Mon Sep 17, 2018 7:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
1966 Lyman Cruisette 25 foot "Serenity Now!"
1953 Chris Craft Sportsman 22 foot "Summerwind"

User avatar
Bilge Rat
Posts: 383
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2015 4:02 pm
Contact:

Re: Steering gearbox adjustment

Post by Bilge Rat » Mon Sep 17, 2018 7:16 am

This is the adjustment screw with a cap over the slotted screw. Remove the cap, remove the star lock washer to turn the screw.
IMG_0582.jpg
1966 Lyman Cruisette 25 foot "Serenity Now!"
1953 Chris Craft Sportsman 22 foot "Summerwind"

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests