Ford steering wheels

[BCA]

Ford CMP parts books list an early steering wheel (01T-3600) and a late steering wheel (C11Q-3600). Based on the parts books they use different horn button components. How are these wheels different? Are these 2 steering wheels interchangeable? I am trying to properly identify a black, 18" diameter 4-spoke Ford CMP steering wheel with 1" bore with key-way. ...Brian

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Brian,

Just an educated guess, but the asterisk in front of C11Q-3600 in the parts book means that part is unique to CMP vehicles.

Early 1940's Ford commercial trucks used a very similar wheel but according to the attached link the 9N tractor and early forties trucks used a wheel with a 3/4" diameter hole whereas the later model CMP wheels had 1" diameter holes. Perhaps early in production they used "off the shelf" items then found they needed a larger steering gear shaft and thus had to make steering wheel hole larger.

Guess the only way to confirm it is if someone with an early production Ford CMP can confirm if the steering shaft diameter is 3/4" or 1"

http://www.cltractor.com/clweb/do/pr...wheels/S.67507

[Lynn Eades]

Do those two sizes match up with the light and heavy steering boxes as applied to the trucks that had an option for the light and heavy front knuckles? (front axle)

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Lynn,

I thought about that too but my two lighter F15 and F15A steering boxes from later cab 13's both have the 1" diameter steering shaft.
Unlikely the larger steering knuckles would use the 3/4" shaft and I assume they used the 1" diameter one also.
Always glad to be corrected however in the name of accuracy.

Cheers,

[T Creighton]

Hi Jaques,
From the parts book.
It doesn't say the shaft size but as there are two nuts listed (I missed one on the capture) there must be two sizes.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Terry

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for that info. The nut C380066S is listed in the back of my parts book as "7/8-20 Steering Nut" which is the one for a 1" diameter shaft.

Couldn't find any other "steering nut" listed in the Standard Parts section of a 1943 F-15A Parts list but perhaps there is one in another earlier model's Parts List with the size listed in the Standard Parts section.

I note in the steering section there was a Part No. C11QF 3513A "Kit-steering gear conversion- complete. Used to convert vehicles in service from truck type steering... to a larger bus type steering".

On that basis I am still leaning toward a change from a commercial steering wheel early in the war to a dedicated CMP wheel later on but always open to other ideas.

Pity those 9N tractor steering wheels don't have a 1" diameter hole!

Cheers,