The Ford Barn

FatDave · 05-27-2010, 03:47 PM

Hey all,

I'm looking for some trouble-shooting tips.

I'm finding that sometimes (not all the time) when I'm in high-gear, the front end of my truck ('52 F-1 w/ 50 Mercury car flathead v8) will shake from left to right... at least that's how it feels.

I don't think speed has anything to do with it... and although I recently set the pinion angle, I'm confident that it's in the right place.

... Now, I know I've probably got some bushings that may need replacing, and it has no shocks... and these are all things I'm in the process of dealing with which probably add to the intensity of the shaking... but it still shakes.

I've been under there, tightening anything & everything I can see may be the issue and haven't solved my problem yet.

Does this sound like a motor problem? ... Tranmission? ... Rear Dif? ... U-joints? ... Front suspension? ... Loose bolts? ... Bushings?

I'm just hoping someone can narrow my search down a little bit... because other that this vibration things are good... but I'm a little paranoid to take it out too far from home.

thx
Dave

Bassman/NZ · 05-27-2010, 04:37 PM

Sounds like a combination of things to me, but I think installing some shocks is the first step.

Vic Piano · 05-27-2010, 04:56 PM

You're picking up bad vibrations... Could be any number of things, starting with age. I would guess that most, if not all, the suspension components are at least fifty years old. How about greasing the front end and see if that eliminates some or all of the vibrations... Check the king pins, etc. I had some bad vibrations in our '51 F-1 before I completely rebuilt it, the king pins has so much play that I assumed they were the major source of the vibrations. I'd recommend rebuilding the front end for starters.

HOTRODPRIMER · 05-27-2010, 05:00 PM

I think Vic nailed it,,look at the king pins first. HRP

Ford46 · 05-27-2010, 05:09 PM

Sounds like front end issues to me. I would check all the front end components for wear. Have someone help you by moving the steering wheel while you check each component visually. To check some you'll need to jack it up, others not. Installing shocks is another must do, and you can also check the wheel balance. Just my thoughts. LouB.

Frank The Plumber · 05-27-2010, 05:17 PM

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Well, my 05 van has a set of tires with 40,000 on them, they have about 10 to 15 patches in them, they have weird flat spots caused by the patches and weight and miles, it may be that your set of tires are funky, at different speeds a set of junk tires do all kinds of weird stuff, or maybe you have a flat spot on one of them, I jack the old girl up to winter so the tires dont collect flat spots. Jack one up and spin it and see how it runs around, hold something close to it thats stable while its spinning.

George/Maine · 05-27-2010, 06:27 PM

I have been having problem my 52 f1.This is what I have found so far.The drag link If you have it to "tight"
It will dart to left and right.Back it off 1 1/2 to 2 turns or till you can get a cotter pin in.I put new tires and had balanced,and toed in some.It was dragging right tire.This past weekend found out at inspection my right kingpin is no good.You should have shocks and there is a third one that may help.In 100 miles did a job on my new tires, wheel is angled bad.

Mike51Merc · 05-27-2010, 07:00 PM

Check/replace universal joints. Replace Transmission tailshaft yoke bushing.

Karl Wolf · 05-27-2010, 08:37 PM

Put rear axle on jack stands, run in gear... will elliminate some possiblities... Karl

FatDave · 05-28-2010, 03:08 PM

Yeah I've mainly been driving it to locate any little problems like this... (and because its fun).

You've all confirmed some hunches I've been having, and I appreciate it. I didn't think to grease it up, but I'm planning on doing all the bushings in the spring perches and steering components. U-joints are on the list of priorities as well.

I'm starting at the front and working my way back.

Thanks guys...

oldford2 · 05-28-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

You're picking up bad vibrations... Could be any number of things, starting with age. I would guess that most, if not all, the suspension components are at least fifty years old. How about greasing the front end and see if that eliminates some or all of the vibrations... Check the king pins, etc. I had some bad vibrations in our '51 F-1 before I completely rebuilt it, the king pins has so much play that I assumed they were the major source of the vibrations. I'd recommend rebuilding the front end for starters.

Hey Vic,
You sound like my doctor. When I describe an ailment he always starts with " don't forget you are 70 years old and your parts may be wearing out" John

Vic Piano · 05-28-2010, 04:39 PM

John, that’s why I don't go to the Doctor..., they never have anything good to tell you.

0rg0 · 06-03-2010, 07:29 PM

You know Dave, we never did go through the front end of that truck. I think we should get under there and give it a good check up.

0rg0 · 06-03-2010, 07:30 PM

I wonder if the bias plys might have a little to do with it.

FatDave · 06-14-2010, 10:54 PM

A rebuild is in order for sure, and thank you all for the advice...

But to those with tail-draggers out there... is the rake of the truck possibly a factor.
It's got an estimated 5-inch rake. The reason I ask is because I had no problem in the fall when the truck was at stock height, since then it's been lowered about 8 inches in the back and 3 in the front.

I've heard conflicting views...

Shocks have improved the ride, but haven't solved the vibration problem.

PeteVS · 06-15-2010, 05:33 AM

Had a '51 Chebby years ago. It developed a "shimmy" in the front end and the old guy next door told me to put more air in the front tires. That took care of it!

GreenMonster48 · 06-15-2010, 05:42 AM

Once you take care of the safety issues, check out the steering stabilizer on this page.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fa/full.aspx?Page=78

G.M. · 06-15-2010, 06:35 AM

Grease the "U" joint with at least 1 tube of low temperature grease. Also if not driven for a long time the tires have flat spots that take a fair amount of driving on hot roads to reduce or get rid of. G.M.

hbleadsled · 06-15-2010, 11:59 AM

Dave, I agree with Vic front suspension ,king pins are bad, rebuild your front end, you could lose control and hurt your self and that truck. because of bump steer and yes bias ply tires can make it worse. Harold, Ca.

FatDave · 06-15-2010, 04:07 PM

No doubt... I got a wife & a 2-year-old to come home to, so it's not going more than a block or two away from home at this point... and that's only to test drive after each fix.

Tires are brand new... only had 'em on for a month or so, so other than the inherent fun that goes along with using bias-ply tires, I think I'm good there.

I've got new leaf-spring bushings... kingpins are on the way and I'll be getting my hands dirty in no time.

05-27-2010, 03:47 PM	#1
FatDave Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 9	Driveline vibration Hey all, I'm looking for some trouble-shooting tips. I'm finding that sometimes (not all the time) when I'm in high-gear, the front end of my truck ('52 F-1 w/ 50 Mercury car flathead v8) will shake from left to right... at least that's how it feels. I don't think speed has anything to do with it... and although I recently set the pinion angle, I'm confident that it's in the right place. ... Now, I know I've probably got some bushings that may need replacing, and it has no shocks... and these are all things I'm in the process of dealing with which probably add to the intensity of the shaking... but it still shakes. I've been under there, tightening anything & everything I can see may be the issue and haven't solved my problem yet. Does this sound like a motor problem? ... Tranmission? ... Rear Dif? ... U-joints? ... Front suspension? ... Loose bolts? ... Bushings? I'm just hoping someone can narrow my search down a little bit... because other that this vibration things are good... but I'm a little paranoid to take it out too far from home. thx Dave

05-27-2010, 04:37 PM	#2
Bassman/NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napier, New Zealand Posts: 2,001	Re: Driveline vibration Sounds like a combination of things to me, but I think installing some shocks is the first step.

05-27-2010, 04:56 PM	#3
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Driveline vibration You're picking up bad vibrations... Could be any number of things, starting with age. I would guess that most, if not all, the suspension components are at least fifty years old. How about greasing the front end and see if that eliminates some or all of the vibrations... Check the king pins, etc. I had some bad vibrations in our '51 F-1 before I completely rebuilt it, the king pins has so much play that I assumed they were the major source of the vibrations. I'd recommend rebuilding the front end for starters. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

05-27-2010, 05:00 PM	#4
HOTRODPRIMER Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Upstate,South Carolina Posts: 500	Re: Driveline vibration I think Vic nailed it,,look at the king pins first. HRP __________________ ‘When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we don’t see the one which has opened for us.’ Alexander Graham Bell

05-27-2010, 05:09 PM	#5
Ford46 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southeastern, MA Posts: 434	Re: Driveline vibration Sounds like front end issues to me. I would check all the front end components for wear. Have someone help you by moving the steering wheel while you check each component visually. To check some you'll need to jack it up, others not. Installing shocks is another must do, and you can also check the wheel balance. Just my thoughts. LouB.

05-27-2010, 05:17 PM	#6
Frank The Plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 693	Re: Driveline vibration Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Well, my 05 van has a set of tires with 40,000 on them, they have about 10 to 15 patches in them, they have weird flat spots caused by the patches and weight and miles, it may be that your set of tires are funky, at different speeds a set of junk tires do all kinds of weird stuff, or maybe you have a flat spot on one of them, I jack the old girl up to winter so the tires dont collect flat spots. Jack one up and spin it and see how it runs around, hold something close to it thats stable while its spinning.

05-27-2010, 07:00 PM	#8
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: Driveline vibration Check/replace universal joints. Replace Transmission tailshaft yoke bushing.

05-27-2010, 08:37 PM	#9
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Re: Driveline vibration Put rear axle on jack stands, run in gear... will elliminate some possiblities... Karl

05-28-2010, 03:08 PM	#10
FatDave Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 9	Re: Driveline vibration Yeah I've mainly been driving it to locate any little problems like this... (and because its fun). You've all confirmed some hunches I've been having, and I appreciate it. I didn't think to grease it up, but I'm planning on doing all the bushings in the spring perches and steering components. U-joints are on the list of priorities as well. I'm starting at the front and working my way back. Thanks guys...

05-28-2010, 04:39 PM	#12
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Driveline vibration John, that’s why I don't go to the Doctor..., they never have anything good to tell you. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

06-03-2010, 07:29 PM	#13
0rg0 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 34	Re: Driveline vibration You know Dave, we never did go through the front end of that truck. I think we should get under there and give it a good check up.

06-03-2010, 07:30 PM	#14
0rg0 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 34	Re: Driveline vibration I wonder if the bias plys might have a little to do with it.

06-14-2010, 10:54 PM	#15
FatDave Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 9	Re: Driveline vibration A rebuild is in order for sure, and thank you all for the advice... But to those with tail-draggers out there... is the rake of the truck possibly a factor. It's got an estimated 5-inch rake. The reason I ask is because I had no problem in the fall when the truck was at stock height, since then it's been lowered about 8 inches in the back and 3 in the front. I've heard conflicting views... Shocks have improved the ride, but haven't solved the vibration problem.

06-15-2010, 05:33 AM	#16
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,771	Re: Driveline vibration Had a '51 Chebby years ago. It developed a "shimmy" in the front end and the old guy next door told me to put more air in the front tires. That took care of it! __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!

06-15-2010, 05:42 AM	#17
GreenMonster48 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Enfield Connecticut Posts: 559	Re: Driveline vibration Once you take care of the safety issues, check out the steering stabilizer on this page. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fa/full.aspx?Page=78

06-15-2010, 06:35 AM	#18
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Driveline vibration Grease the "U" joint with at least 1 tube of low temperature grease. Also if not driven for a long time the tires have flat spots that take a fair amount of driving on hot roads to reduce or get rid of. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

06-15-2010, 11:59 AM	#19
hbleadsled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: salinas ca. Posts: 266	Re: Driveline vibration Dave, I agree with Vic front suspension ,king pins are bad, rebuild your front end, you could lose control and hurt your self and that truck. because of bump steer and yes bias ply tires can make it worse. Harold, Ca.

06-15-2010, 04:07 PM	#20
FatDave Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 9	Re: Driveline vibration No doubt... I got a wife & a 2-year-old to come home to, so it's not going more than a block or two away from home at this point... and that's only to test drive after each fix. Tires are brand new... only had 'em on for a month or so, so other than the inherent fun that goes along with using bias-ply tires, I think I'm good there. I've got new leaf-spring bushings... kingpins are on the way and I'll be getting my hands dirty in no time.