Need Help ID'ing a steering shaft

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 10:18 am

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

Post by **wesk** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:16 am

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.

Your TLxxxxxx #'s must be casting numbers on the metal. Do you not have the actual Ross part numbers for the machined part? IE the correct shaft/cam assy. for your M38A1 is the Ross Gear PN 9472-42 3/8 or WO# 807480 ro ORD# 8329730.

Not much to gain by ID'g the source of the replacement. It clearly is not correct and should be shipped back to your supplier.

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 7:47 pm

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

Post by **wesk** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 12:38 am

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.

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:46 pm

Thanks Wes,

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

Mike B

Post by **wesk** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:28 pm

Well then perhaps the left seat was further back!

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:49 pm

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......

Straighten me out Wes.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:10 am

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,

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

This casting number is rarely used in the parts manual. What is the casting number on your original shaft/worm assembly?

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:25 pm

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

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:28 pm

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

Post by **wesk** » Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:27 pm

Where did you find the?

CJ-2A, 3A, 3B and 5 all share a 41-1/2" tube/gear...

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:32 am

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.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:53 am

Have you googled Kaiser FC150/170 steering yet???? That would Un-muddle the post!

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:36 pm

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.

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:09 pm

wesk wrote:Where did you find the?

CJ-2A, 3A, 3B and 5 all share a 41-1/2" tube/gear...

I found the info on a few of the different vendors web sites...they all say the 41-1/2" tube/gear fits those models.

I looked around for specs on the FC's but came up empty.

I did call my vendor today and he's sending me a third tube/shaft...I asked him to confirm the length of 42-3/8" before sending it...we'll see what shows up in a few days.

As a side note, I read a response to a length question on the Kaiser Willys web site...the question was how to measure the shaft and their response was to measure the smooth part...am I missing something???

Mike B