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Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:53 pm

Here is the German H model. It has more wear than the G model I have. I will know if new bearings helped when it is reassembled. The only differences I can see with the French model is that the processes making the German model were more brutal based on bluing colors. Also the adjusting screw lock nut has a red seal in it, the ball bearing cages are a little better made and the tolerances are slightly less on the German one as some of the parts show no wear but they are looser. There is no plastiic shield around the lower shaft protrusion. The steel shows signs of minor rust and pitting around the upper seal, perhaps the steel is a different alloy. Everything else looks the same. My guess is that the main difference between the G and H model steering is where they were made (the G being France and the H being Germany.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:56 pm

two other differences between the French G and the German H.

French G .................................................................................................German H model

Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:03 pm

After cleaning the H model, replacing the ball bearings with new Grade 25 bearings, the top and bottom seals, and setting the adjustment per Bentley, the lash is now about normal, maybe a tad more. There was some wear on the peg gear so I will still look for another gear to replace this one and either sell the G model as the thread size is different on the G model, or find a nut.

It was an interesting project.

Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:38 pm

Does anyone have a junk/scrap 1973 model 211415049G steering box they can pull the nut and fold over washer from that holds the drop arm on? I am not getting any hits on the wanted ad for the nut that goes on the gearbox in this thread and can't use it without the nut.

The nut is smaller than the H version so a late nut won't work. The only year the G appears to be from is a 1973. The box will read made in France (by Gemmer). I believe it was the first year the ZF boxes were made and they were made under license by Gemmer in France. Later ZF moved the production to Germany under license to Gemmer but the nut size changed.