Need Help ID'ing a steering shaft

Mike_B

I got a steering shaft worm gear for my M38A1, but it's not right. What was sent looks right at first glance, but is 44" long vs. 42-3/8" and the worm is spiraled in the opposite direction. The new shaft is stamped TL123004 and the original shaft is stamped TL123011.

Can anyone ID this shaft?

Thanls,

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

wesk · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:16 am Post subject:

Mike_B · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2020 7:47 pm Post subject:

Wes, the TL number is stamped around the upper worm gear...I guess you could call it a casting number.

The vendor is sending me a replacement...he has no idea of what it is as he got it in a big box lot of NOS shafts. The worm and steering wheel ends were both wrapped decades ago and it had a piece of tape around the shaft marked M38A1, so he grabbed it and sent it to me. He doesn't want it back.

Seems ashamed to scrap an NOS shaft, so that's why I was hoping the TL number meant something to someone.

It's weird because the worm is made in the opposite direction. Maybe it was for a right hand drive vehicle???

Thanks for all you do!

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

wesk · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 12:38 am Post subject:

There were several countries that ordered the M38A1 with right hand drive. So that may be the answer. Perhaps the right front seat was closer to the dash and they had to shorten the shaft on that side.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Mike_B · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks Wes,

The shaft in question TL123004 is actually 44" long if that helps...

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

wesk · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:28 pm Post subject:

Well then perhaps the left seat was further back!
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

RonD2 · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:49 pm Post subject:

Would clockwise or counter-clockwise winding of the worm really have anything to do with the jeep being left or right hand drive and how a steering wheel turns left and right on both?

Not trying to muddy the post, just trying to get my head around the geometry inside the gear box. Maybe I'm missing something...

My initial thought was either the vendor sent an entirely wrong part maybe for a Packard or Studebaker (for example) --- or maybe the Government has been known to reject defective parts that still made their way to the marketplace as "NOS" years later? The original manufacturer had the drawings flipped backwards...... Shocked

Straighten me out Wes. Very Happy

_________________
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

wesk · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:10 am Post subject:

Ron, Without the two column shafts lying side by side on my work bench and having not seen any photos the the unit in question anything I offer will only be an uninformed guess.

Weather the reversed cam threads will effect use in right vs left hand drive? I don't know. A lot depends on the geometry of the different steering draglink and bellcrank used with a right hand drive jeep.

Mike,

Mike_B · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:25 pm Post subject:

So, today I got the replacement steering shaft from my vendor and at first glance it looks great...the worm has the same number stamped on it "TL123011" and it's twisted the correct way BUT, it's only 41-11/16" long. My original shaft is 42-5/8" long.

Any ideas as to what this latest shaft fits?

Thanks,

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

Mike_B · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:28 pm Post subject:

Did some on-line searching tonight and I think I found my answer.

The CJ-2A, 3A, 3B and 5 all share a 41-1/2" tube/gear...maybe I was getting a little to precise in coming up with 41-11/16" and it's really what everyone is calling the 41-1/2".

Thanks for listening ...

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

wesk · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:27 pm Post subject:

Where did you find the?

RonD2 · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:32 am Post subject:

Still trying to get my grape around the geometry of clockwise and counter-clockwise worm gear winding. I was thinking maybe the opposite worm is used if the gearbox is mounted in front of the axle instead of behind it like on a jeep? Does the Willys FC-150/170 have the steering gearbox mounted in front of the axle?

Just a thought, not trying to muddy the post. I don't have any FC manuals.
_________________
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

wesk · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:53 am Post subject:

Have you googled Kaiser FC150/170 steering yet???? That would Un-muddle the post!
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

RonD2 · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:36 pm Post subject:

I did, and came up with a photo. Gearbox in front of the axle. I have no idea if the steering on this FC is original or not. I've never seen one before. Can't google find a copy of the manual either.

_________________
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

Mike_B · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:09 pm Post subject:


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