I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

I drove the 32 about 3 blocks and on a state road to see how it handled. I got a bad shimmy or a death wobble as some call it I had to come to a stop to stop it. I drove slow back to the garage. It scared me a bit never had that happen before for a long time ago in a Model A. I jack up the front end and it seams tight but I know there a problem some where in the front end. King pins are tight no play there. Almost need two people to find the problem One watching the tie rod to see if there play and someone moving the wheel. Any of you had this problem? What was the cure.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Could be too much play between your steering sector and worm gears or worn drag link/spindle ball studs, springs, and plug ends.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Can you post some pictures of the front axle and spindles, tie rod and drag link where it meets the Pitman arm? Some build details about the front suspension and the chassis in general surely couldn't hurt, either. Assuming this is the cool little coupe you speak of. DD

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1501169752

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Loose wish bone ball, loose pitman arm, loose/worn tie rods, drag link, loose wheel bearings.
Yes, probably two people needed. Start at the pitman arm and work forward.
Paul in CT

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Redneck, if you adopt me I will drive out to your place and make the repairs.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Had the same problem. New vega box, tried every thing, found the vega box needed to be adjusted. Cured it in just a few min.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

I have had 3 cars over the years with death wobble. front tires all 3 times. joe

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

No caster

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

So far I repack the wheel bear
ing in the front wheels and tighten the wheels. The front end seams tight. Now to check the wishbone. Time for a break. anyway I am hungry.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

it doesn't like the camber on the state road. It needs to be driven on the left side of the road.

Ship it to me and I'll tell you if it still does it.

Nice looking coupe, by the way.

My roadster does it occasionally. I just either slow until it stops or (takes nerve) accelerate until it stops. There is normally a critical speed band that it may occur at. A slight bump when at that speed can set it off.

If there is nothing obviously wrong, give it another go, but try and go straight to a speed above that at which the problem occurred.

Mart.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

My 33 ford never did this. I have had several Model A's and when I got my first Model A it did this. I fix the wishbone ball and that took care of it. That next on the 32 to check out.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Redneck check your rims for a bent one. Had that on a 56 ford truck changed the wheel & problem solved. Bias ply tires are not the greatest either. You already know that tho.
B-O-B

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

My original 32 with the original 18" wheels runs great even at 60 mph. I have the original steering box with 1934, 15 -1 internals, check castor.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

surely on a stock car the castor angle cannot be changed from whatever it is?

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

It can be changed by accident or deliberately. Originally alignment shops had the equipment to bend the axles, now days only truck shops would have the correct setup to bend the axles around. In the Hot Rod world you can change the castor by making pie cuts in the wishbones.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

yes I agree that the castor angle can be changed by cutting the wishbones but that wouldn't be a stock set up then...

I wouldn't have thought about checking the axle for straightness, given the age of them I guess it would be worth checking.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

This is not an early axle, but same process.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

How far can you turn the steering wheel ( slop ) before it turns the front wheels left or right ?

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Mr Redneck check to see air pressure in the tires and if you can Jack up the front end and spin the tires. Also check your toe in at that time and see how tight it is up in the air with no load. You have a beautiful car and I am sure it is something simple

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

How old are your tires?

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

After you have found and cured your problem you will see why its advisable to add a steering damper.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Could try swapping out the rear tires for the front (if the same size). Free anyways.

Somethings loosey-goosey...

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

I have that occur occasionally in my '29. Steering box needs a rebuild...lots of steering wheel play.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Hi all; Bought a Model A on the cheap because of this and found the wishbone pivot loose. Repaired and it was a good car. Newc

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

The first thing I would check is for correct toe in.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

My deuce pu has split bones with 37 Hudson steering leading to 32 spindles all with original 32 tie rod ends. I have 6 degrees of caster and 1/8 toe in. I have ran a steering damper from the beginning and it drives perfect at any speed.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

My death wobble upon first drive was due to the fact that one of the tires had a bunch of dried mud in it...

I like the (1976 ish) VW Super Beetle front steering damper...

Have a friendly person move the steering wheel from side to side, just 1 to 3 inches.
You're underneath, touch all the joints one by one, both sides of the joint at the same time.. You will find out where there is any slop.

I'm running about 10 degrees castor angle, small toe-in 1/16".

Karl

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Are you using a dropped axle? Anyway if you do not find the problem put a steering damper on it. You can get one from So-Cal speed shop or off an early VW. I use one on all my cars it will end the problem.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

My 39 CS had the same problem,I couldn't find the problem without a major remove and replace program. I nstalled a damper,problem gone!

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

I am having the same issue with my AV8.
32 frame, split 37 bones, new axle, 7 degrees caster, bias plies.
First time I thought it was just gen bump I hit, our roads are pretty crappy. Second time I started looking for a problem, only thing I could think of was tightening up the drag link ends( ball and spring style).
I thought I had it, but about a month ago at about 35 mph I hit one of those same gaps in the road and it came back with a vengeance. I had to come to a full stop.
I'm still looking for the problem. Whatever you come up with, I'll give it a try.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

Solid axles don't like bumps! Is the steering box tight?

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

I agree with Gary, had that problem on my roadster going over tar strips that were slightly at angles. Adjusted the toe-in, no more shimmy. Paul Selfe.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

A weak front spring will change the castor, Had a model A same problem replaced front spring problem cured

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

You know, I had to think about that one for about four seconds, but you're right.......as the chassis altitude decreases (with a weak spring), the rear of the wishbone goes down. BUT..........that INCREASES the caster in a POSITIVE direction.......which ain't a bad thing! DD

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

The problem may have been more in the shackles than the spring, than might account for the fix in changing the spring. Hard to believe it was a weak spring alone as removing leaves to lower the front (which would weaken the spring) is a common practice.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

When I had Model A's the problem was in the wishbone ball being loose. I think I use the rubber ball to correct the problem back then. I have not check that as yet. I got a car on the lift so I need to finish it first.

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

To many cars, not enough time! :)

Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good
 

If everything is right, it shouldn't. That being said, my rpu with split bones did it, bad. Mostly when I'd hit something on a diagonal like a bridge seam.Everything was new, alignment done and 7 degrees caster. Steering stabilizer fixed it. Look under any newer vehicle with a solid axle (like Jeep) and you will see one from the factory.