Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:14 am Post subject: M38 steering box id.
Reading a post by Ryan flagged something up to me. My m38 has devilishly quick steering, took me quite a while to get used to the way she easily flicks around, especially when compared to my m201s and the MB. Would this characteristic be typical of M38A1 steering components fitted into a M38.
It (the streeing box) carries a Japan Ord. Com rebuild tag dated 1955 so I know its been rebuilt, what numbers should I be looking for to check the box??
Thanks,
Dave.
Last edited by davem201m38 on Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:38 pm; edited 1 time in total
The numbers you find on the Ross Gear steering units are the casting number for the part. They are not assembly numbers. The last of the M38 boxes used the same thicker housing as the M38A1 first run boxes. If you really dig in to the parts manuals you can narrow down the box by the individual part numbers and ratios. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Jan 10, 2006 Posts: 136 Location: Russellville, AR
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:46 am Post subject:
Well mine may be an M38 box. My sector shaft is on 1.5" pins and my worm gear is 42". According to the manual the m38a1 shaft is 42 3/8". Jeepdoc.com has newly available sector shaft and worm gears for the m38 and m38a1. It lists the A1 to have 2' centers on the pins of the sector shaft. Im going to order the M38 parts and see what happens. Maybe the parts will be of good quality.
OK, its -6 outside and I dont spend any time at home during daylight hours at this time of year.
So can I ask again, could wickedly responsive steering be a symtom of having a m38A1 steering box fitted or do M38s have this 'fast reaction' steering from the factory??
Thanks,
Dave
I just answered that same question on the G503 M38 forum. The A1 had a much faster ratio and is not a safe unit to use in the flat fender jeeps. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
The thing is,
I find the m38 a very different beast to drive to the m201 or MB, it seems I sit higher, further back, more outside and to the left. It seems more bouncy and the steering seems much quicker. Overall I vastly prefer the M38 and where the controls seem to fall and I know the steering is going to have a different feel. I've checked my TMs and know the boxes are different, but I'm still un-nerved.
I'll check this weekend how many turns I have centre to lock and lock to lock. What should I be looking for?? ie how many turns lock to centre and then lock to lock.
All the best,
Dave
Dave,
The steering ratio evolution from the MB thru the M38A1 goes like this:
12-14-12 MB CJ2A/3A CJV35U and at least the M38 pilot vehicles.
13.5-15.5-13.5 M38 & possibly late CJ3A For the M38 this steering gear box part number 33077 early and 33084 late differentiated by the dust seal between the mast and the gearbox.
15.5-17.5-15.5 M38A1
These are variable ratio gearboxes. They are initially a quick ratio just either side of center then the ratio slows down as you get to the full left or right position.
Most likely your 201 has a 12-14-12 box. The differences between the center steering area ratio is not that great but could be noticed. The jump to the M38A1 17.5 is a real BIG jump and very noticable. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Wes ,
you're dead right about the M201, its the MB Ross box but may-be made with slightly better engineering and materials. Hotchkiss tended to slightly improve little weaknesses or fast wearing parts as they went along.
Mostly these things never cause trouble on an M201 becasue they all came out of deep stroage and were rebuilt to new spec before they went in. Hence it might be a Licence Built Willys but its a new jeep, most of these M201s are essentially a new vehicle. When I got my plain green one it had 300 miles on the clock and red greace and waxxed bandage over everything.
I'll check the m38 steering in the morning.
All the best,
Dave.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
