Ross steering box 222994 -where was it used? P-A, ACD?

[Gary_Ash]

The Studebaker-powered Indy cars of 1931-33 used a Ross steering box with the casting number 222994.  I believe these boxes had a roller bearing follower against the worm, not a peg.  I want to get one of these boxes.  I haven't been able to figure out what car they came out of.  Prime candidates are big Studebakers of the 1928-30 period, Pierce-Arrows, and maybe Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg cars.  Does anyone have a car with this casting number on the Ross box?

 

Engine and steering box in 1931 ROMTHE/Richards Special.

 

Close-up of Ross steering box.

 

 

[edinmass]

Well…….I have never seen that box in any Pierce,  or Stude President. Could be a truck box. Or a special offering. I’m leaning toward a special purpose made unit for the race cars. Most of the Ross boxes don’t lend themselves to the type of mounting you require. Most have the flange cast into the case for each manufacturer. In 1929-1930 Stutz, Pierce Arrow, Stude President, L29 Cord, Jorden, and a few others all used a Gemmer 215 series box. The Gemmer won’t mount the way you need it to either. I’m betting a later box is a better bet………

[Walt G]

Franklin in 1932 I believe used them as well in their Airman ( not the Olympic) can anyone with a 32 Franklin Airman take a look for a number for Gary?

[George K]

Here’s a photo of the Ross steering gearbox on the 1936 Indy winner. The other is from the internet. I remember reading somewhere the truck gearbox had faster ratio and perhaps the floating pin mentioned in the text.

[Gary_Ash]

I'm prepared to modify the housing of the 222994 casting, should I find one.  I heavily modified the 222982 casting from the 1929 Studebaker President to allow an adjustable tilt to the steering column and a mount similar to that used on the 1930-33 Studebaker Indy cars.  I cut the mounting flange off, then turned the housing to create a round surface for a clamp-style mount.  It's not easy, but can be done.

 

So where was the 222994 casting used?  I'll add Hupmobile to the candidate list.  It has to be about 1929 since the Studebaker part number is close.

 

Ross steering box from 1929 Studebaker President, casting 222982.

 

Flange cut off 1929 Studebaker box.

 

1929 Studebaker box machined and mounted in clamp.

 

 

[PFitz]

Gary,

Your first picture of the rusty box above looks very much like the mounting and pitman arm setup used in 1930 and later Franklins. Most, if not all, the 1932 Series 16A Franklins used a Gemmer box (all of the 16A Franklins I've worked on had Gemmer boxes). I don't have any pictures of a Ross, and there is no factory parts drawing of it that has survived, but I think it was the later 1932 Series 16B that used them. The "see-through" illustration in the 1932 to 34 owner's manual looks like your steering box picture and it shows a pin and worm arrangement with the pin on tapered opposed bearings. 

 

Paul

Edited September 30, 2022 by PFitz (see edit history)

[Gunsmoke]

When rebuilding my 1931 Chrysler CD8 Roadster I noticed how robust and adjustable the steering assembly was. The 2 parts, a box with worm/sector gear housing and a secondary frame mounting clampable bracket allows steering column angle to be fully adjustable, although Chrysler only had a 3 position bracket attached to dash. Thought it was an ideal option for anyone developing a speedster as it can be lowered to any preferred angle by simply removing pitman arm and loosening the clamping bolt. 

[JBray]

I have a Ross steering box #222993 Pat date of 12-29-25 ( date or Pat #)

Any idea what that is off of? Thank you 

[Gary_Ash]

Too bad we don’t know where that came from, either.

[1937hd45]

You do have a copy of Ray Kuns Automobile Racing Third Edition I trust.

[Gerczak]

Not sure on the number but the square bolt looks like it has an "A" stamped on it which was characteristic of Auburn cars, so I have been told.

[Gary_Ash]

Yes, I have the Ray Kuns books, but note that he doesn't say from which car the Ross steering came - that's the mystery here.

 

However, I got an email just today from a guy who reads this forum.  He has a steering box with the 222994 casting number which came out of a 1930 Graham-Paige model 835 limousine. I can't figure out why all five Studebaker Indy cars plus the earlier ROMTHE/Richards Special used the same steering box, especially since it wasn't a Studebaker part.  So, all of you who have 1930-31 Graham 835's, go look under the hood to see if this is the steering box you have.  Oh, not many of you here?  Oh! 

 

[Gerczak]

Here is a 1929 Graham Paige on Facebook with a 222994 box (see the last engine picture).  Questionable interior.

 

 

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1061686048085235/

 

[George K]

Looks like it is designed to be adjustable as it has a clamp pinch bolt in the photo. Probably directly available from the manufacturer Ross. Nothing in the rules that it had to be used in the engine manufacturers automobiles.

[Gary_Ash]

George K seems to have the underlying reason for the use of the 222994 box.  On that box, the shaft to the pitman arm runs through a tubular part that has been machined round to fit in a mount with a pinch bolt.  That would allow the steering column tilt to be adjusted to suit the driver.  Using the 222994 box permitted the same function in the Indy cars with a minimum of new parts or machine work.  I had to machine off the mounting flange on my 222982 box to obtain the same mounting ability.

 

Here is the 222994 box in the green #37 Studebaker Indy car formerly owned by Bob Valpey.

 

Ross steering box 222994 in Studebaker car #37.

 

Frame mount with clamp for Ross 222994 steering box on Studebaker Indy car #37.

 

[Graham Man]

Yes, the Graham-Paige 8 Cylinder cars all have adjustable steering columns... thinking about it I think all 1928 to 1932 Graham, Graham-Paige cars have adjustable steering columns.

[Fordy]

Hupmobile definitely started using Ross steering boxes from 1924 after GM acquired Jacox who were used on earlier years.

[JBray]

I have a steering box ROSS 222993 

Pat. 12-29-25

with steering column and steering wheel 

Any idea what this is off of ????  Value???

[NewOldWood]

This is a Ross box used in a 1937 Gar Wood boat. It has the adjustable mounting like you mention, but no casting number on it, at least not in the same place. The guy that restored the steering wheel that was used with this box said that it was from a 1936 Hudson, or at least the wheel was.

[raysgraham]

Gary I know this is an old but are you still looking for a 222994 steering box