Aug2005
Ross Steering boxes
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Adjustment
I don't even jack 'em up.  I loosen the locking nut, tighten the
adjusting screw all the way in, then back off about a 1/8 of a turn.
Then monitor carefully to insure that binding does not take place when
the engine heats up.  Internal steering box components tend to expand
disproportionally with heat.

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Also check and make sure that it doesn't bind when you are off center. Often
just the "straight ahead" portion of the worm gets worn. In that case when it
is tightened for the straight ahead position it gets too tight when you turn
and won't return. You may have to find a compromise setting.

I think someone pointed out that if you have the Ross worm and pin box you may
be able to turn the pins 90 degrees to get the flat spots out of the way or you
might be able to find new pins. Jeep used the similar internals in their box
but it seems there's a hundred different variations within the Ross boxes. Is
Ross still in exisitance as a company? Perhaps there's a cross reference
somewhere.

It would be interesting to find a synthetic lubricant that was the right
viscosity for the steering box. I think that many of the boxes have been ruined
by people letting them go dry and then putting the wrong lube in them. It is a
rather warm position in the engine compartment if you have a V8. A synthetic
lube should thin out less when it warms up.

Steering and brakes are our first line of car insurance. I always get them
straightened out before I do anything else on a car. I love to drive them and
you never know what is around that next corner. Hmm where is that residual
pressure valve for my rear brakes...

David V 
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  True --  The older Ross boxes could be "spiffed up" a bit by turning
  the pins. (Still have a hard-turning box tho),  BUT  my 62 GT Ross box
  has bearings on those pins so the later boxes are easier steering AND
  the pins rotate during use to keep from making the flat spots.  I don't
  know when they made the change, but it was  good change.  My 55 had the
  old "scraper" design and one guy said his 57 Hawk had the same
  characteristics.  So sometime between 1958 and 1962 the change was made.

     The older "fixed pin" Ross boxes would  not only wear flat spots but
     "scrape" extra clearance on the worm gear.  So, when worn, and adjusted
     tighter, the steering would bind on turns and still be loose (worn) in
     the straight ahead position.  If that describes your steering, you have
     a worn Ross box that needs attention.  The one in my Pickup actually
     SKIPPED TEETH soon after I bought it!  I adapted a BrandX  Saginaw with
     power. I'll put up some pics of the installation when I get the time to
     take pics.

     David LeVesque 
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