Cannot get Ford 2000 3cyl right steering arm back on

Noel Putman · Nov 25, 2022

Ok, so I rebuilt a power steering column with guidance from the service manual. All went well, but I can not get the right steering arm back on the right sector shaft.
Both steering arms will slide on the left side, but neither will slide on the right side.

Am I missing something here. They both came off without difficulty with a puller and werent damaged while they were sitting aside for a couple hours while I replaced seals.

What is going on?

Thank you.

Sean in PA · Nov 25, 2022

Did you replace the sector shaft?

Tom in Mo. · Nov 25, 2022

The factory service manual doesn't show a good parts view of the system. This is one of those times when the I&T manual helps as they have a great parts view of the whole setup.
I&T Manual No. FO-31 pages 7-10.
Also, the splines should be timed with the arm splines. Look for a timing flat that only lets them go on one way.

Noel Putman · Nov 25, 2022

No, same sector shaft.

Yes, the 4 master splines are lined up.

Thx

Bern · Nov 25, 2022

If the 4 master splines are lined up, the only thing I can think of is that you're trying to put it on backwards. The splines are tapered, meaning the hole in the arm is bigger in diameter on the backside than the frontside.

Noel Putman · Nov 25, 2022

I thought of that, and actually tried that. The arm hits the housing if you try backwards.

Ill look at the splines on the sector shaft tomorrow with a magnifying glass. Seeing that both arms will slide on the left side, it has to be the splines on the sector shaft in my estimation.

Thank you for everyones input. I feel like I am missing something simple.

Mike(NEOhio) · Nov 25, 2022

If you had the sector gears out they could be out of time. I&T manual shows how to set them. Or the splines and taper could be buggered up.

Bern · Nov 25, 2022

Even if the sector gears were out of time, the arms should still slide on.

Mike(NEOhio) · Nov 26, 2022

True, but I'm wondering if he's trying to put it on in the proper position, pointing down, and the splines will not line up. It will only go in in four locations 90 degrees apart. No offense intended but I've seen some really obvious mechanical misfires posted on YT and done a few myself.

Noel Putman · Nov 26, 2022

Full disclosure: this was on me.

Setting the adjustment on the sector gears there was more shaft showing under the felt gasket on the right Vs the left. This gave the impression that the right was not seating on the splines far enough.

It actually was. The felt will expand to cover the exposed shaft. This is probably the case on worn sector shafts

Thank you.

Sean in PA · Nov 26, 2022

(quoted from post at 19:53:24 11/26/22) Full disclosure: this was on me.

Setting the adjustment on the sector gears there was more shaft showing under the felt gasket on the right Vs the left. This gave the impression that the right was not seating on the splines far enough.

It actually was. The felt will expand to cover the exposed shaft. This is probably the case on worn sector shafts

Thank you.

So it was going on the splines, but it just wasn't going on as far as you thought it should? Your original description of the problem made it seem like it wouldn't even start to slide on.

Cannot get Ford 2000 3cyl right steering arm back on

Noel Putman

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Sean in PA

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Tom in Mo.

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Noel Putman

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Bern

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Noel Putman

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Bern

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