1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

I had a front end wheel alignment on my 1940 Coupe .
Now my steering wheel is not centered as it was before?

I had the drag link tie rod replaced as part of the alignment.
My front end is totally stock.
What needs to be done to center the steering wheel to the right clock position?
It is driving me crazy!
Thanks Tom.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

The alignment shop should have secured the centered steering wheel before any work was started. Have them re-do the alignment, or find another shop.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Instructions in the attached pdf.

Glenn

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

std40: Along with glennpm's excellent info. here's a little more:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...steering+wheel
Do a Fordbarn SEARCH on "How to center 1940 Ford steering wheel" and even more appears.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

You had it done? The pimple faced trainee likely didn’t align your wheels per Ford specs if he didn’t even center the steering wheel. Don’t bother going back there, as the owner apparently relies on customer complaints to educate his flunkies.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

What you are showing me makes perfect sense but my drag link does not have a rotating connecting sleeve.
The passenger side ( right) has a tie rod that screws into the fixture.
The drivers side (left) has a tie rod that does not screw into the fixture .
It is made as part of the fixture.
How do I make the correct adustment with the tie rod with out the adustable connecting sleeve?
Thanks Tom.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

That does not sound right. Who did you buy your parts from and can you take pics? I just replaced mine two weeks ago so it's still fresh in my mind. The non adjustable end should be on the right (passenger) side and the adjustable side should be on the left (driver) side. It should have a sleeve so it can be adjusted without disconnecting it.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

This is what I got.
This pictures is from one of Kubes posts.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Incorrect post

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Incorrect post

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

My bad on the drag link.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

The tie rod adjustment is for setting toe, the drag link adjustment is for centering the steering wheel

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

I bought my drag link from Joe's and it has the adjuster sleeve.

https://www.joesantiqueauto.com/drag-link-11y-3306

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Yes I blew it. Working on my car, listening to wife and not focused :-(

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Zax40
I see that the one that Joes sells has the adjusting sleeve but the one I have has nothing wrong with it and is correct according to Kubes pictures.
So how do center the steering wheel with the correct drag link as pictured?
THanks Tom.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

If you do not have a separate sleeve you can still adjust it. Break the drag link end at the spindle and turn it in or out to adjust.
Without a separate sleeve you are limited to adjustments where the minimum increment of adjustment is one thread pitch.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

What he has IS correct. The adjustable sleeve type was a service part, not the same as what was installed at the factory.

He will need to remove the end that has the adjustable end, turn it and see if he turned it enough to center the steering wheel or too much.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

That link you bought fits and works. It is NOT correct.
The link in the photos is correct.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Kube, Mike,
I have tried turning in both directions and can’t get the steering wheel in the sweet spot.
You are limited because of spindle orientation .
Turning the tie rod to where the steering would be centered makes it impossible to attach to spindle.
Thanks Tom.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Unhook drag link. Center steering wheel. Turn drag link end till it drops in hole. If wheels not exactly where you want it adjust again till it is. Mike

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

IIRC tightening, or shortening the drag link should rotate the steering wheel to the left.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Not sure if this will help but, here's what the drag link and tie rod set up looks like on my 40. To center my steering wheel, I adjusted the drag link that attaches to the splined steering arm part # 11A 3590-A that attaches to the steering box.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Tom, I'd buy the one from Joe's and with it you will have fine adjustment. As Mart points out, without the sleeve, you have to make a full 360° rotation only, which isn't get you centered. If you have a show car stay with what you have but if you're driving it, and the wheel is driving you crazy, get one with the adjustable sleeve.



https://www.joesantiqueauto.com/drag-link-11y-3306

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

I found my notes were still on my work bench from when I replaced my drag link a couple weeks ago. My old drag link when removed (steering was centered) was 32 9/16 when measuring from the outside of the lube fitting to outside of lube fitting on far end. This won't be exact for every 40 Ford but it might help get you in the ball park.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

Post #20 is spot on with that advice. It sometimes takes me three times to get it right.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering
 

I would like to thank everyone for their ideas,advice guidance and suggestions!
Tom.

Re: 1940 Ford Coupe wheel alignment and steering wheel centering