original 1932 ford pickup PROBLEM!!

[jplawman]

please someone tell me what to look for or need to repair!! test driving the truck today and when I got to about 25 30 miles an hour then let off the gas the front end started wobbling violently. tried twice with same result! has anyone had this happen to them PLEASE TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS HUMBLY JOHN!

[Newc]

Found numerous problems with mine- Loose wishbone pivot ball, wrong toe-in, any loose steering joints, King pins. even bad wheel bearings. You must start eliminating all causes gradually. Newc

[Ggmac]

The death shake , yes Ive experienced it . Like Newc said start with tire balance / runout and go through the entire steering system stopping at the steering wheel . Yes Ive seen a broken steering wheel / shaft key , maybe it wasnt broken so much as homemade . Kingpins, wheel bearings, tie rod ends , drag link , steering box , and I probably forgot something .

[J Franklin]

What you experienced is called shimmy. It isn't just a dance. but then again!

[petehoovie]

Sloppy Tie Rod adj....Usually the toe in or out is the culprit of tie wear issues resulting in shimmy. The tie rod ends can usually adjust the problem. Slightly in or out equally on both tires is what you want.

[jimTN]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

All of the above plus not enough castor.

[mercguy]

Here's a short list,

Bent wheels, loose bearings, bad shocks, wrong alignment, loose wishbone,
tie rod balls out of round broken spring or loose, worn steering box,
broken front cross member, out of round tires, worn king pins, drag link
loose or worn. There's more, but this will get you started. Before ford
came out with cross steering, cars were more likely to experience what
we call shimmy or bum steering, Good luck,

[jplawman]

thank you for the information, I did look closer and saw that there are no front shocks, could that be part of the problem??

[J Franklin]

Most likely something or many things besides shock absorbers. A stuck shackle can cause shimmy

[Mart]

No front shocks is a major problem. This could definitely contribute to death wobble.

[32phil]

Use the Search function here on the FordBarn.
Search for Death Wobble there's a lot of info on here.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

Sloppy Tie Rod adj....Usually the toe in or out is the culprit of tie wear issues resulting in shimmy. The tie rod ends can usually adjust the problem. Slightly in or out equally on both tires is what you want.

Um, never toe out.

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by Mart

No front shocks is a major problem. This could definitely contribute to death wobble.

I disagree, but no shocks can amplify another problem that does cause shimmy.
if all else is brought to factory specifications, the absence of front shocks will not cause shimmy. The model A was the first Ford to wear shocks.

[sugarmaker]

I have a strong feeling you should buy this truck! So many guys here to help with that and many other issues!
Just get it!!!!!
Regards,.
Chris

[drolston]

A lot of input can be puzzling as to where to start.

Test 1 - Park the car after driving straight ahead, so the steering is centered. Standing beside the car with your right arm through the driver's window, wiggle the steering wheel back and forth to see how much free play there is. How many inches of movement at the rim of the steering wheel before resistance is felt and the tire moves. Much over 3" is too much. With a helper, watch the drag link while wiggling the wheel to see if the slop is in the drag link ends. If not it is in the steering box. Either way, it will need to be adjusted out or rebuilt.

Test 2 - Jack the right front wheel off of the ground. Grip the top and bottom of the tire and see it you can tip it back and forth. If you can feel any such free play, have your helper see if it is in the wheel to spindle (loose or worn wheel bearings) or in the spindle to axle (worn king pin bushings). Again, either should be repaired.

Test 3 - Grip the sides of the tire and check for free play around the vertical axis. If the wheel bearings are snug, more than "barely perceptible" movement is a problem. Have your helper observe the tie rod to see which end has slack. Adjust or repair.

If none of those are the problem we will look at toe-in.

[jplawman]

thanks drolston, spot on with steps!! so far starting with the drag link! ordered new from CW MOSS let you know if that corrects the death shimmy.

[J Franklin]

I think it is best to determine what is worn or loose first before swapping parts at random.

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

I think it is best to determine what is worn or loose first before swapping parts at random.

Amen and Amen. I would even say, BINGO.

[TJ]

If you have real old tires you can add that to the mix of things to check or replace.

[34 pup]

I had the death wobble on my 34 pickup, put a steering stabilizer from Speedway on wobble gone.

[PeteVS]

Low tire pressure can contribute to shimmy.

[Terry,OH]

Does your PU have the original front suspension and steering? I was unaware CW Moss had a replacement for the 32 drag link. The originals are fixed in length with all the internal parts replaceable, the two end caps are removable and serve as adjustment points.

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by 34 pup

I had the death wobble on my 34 pickup, put a steering stabilizer from Speedway on wobble gone.

While it might help mask the problem, it certainly doesn't address the problem.

[jplawman]

well guy's it was a worn out trailing arm, lack of no shocks, plus an inch tow out .runs straight as an arrow now! thanks for all the suggestions!humbly john!

[jplawman]

got the new shocks and drag link installed found tow was out a 1/2 inch OUCH! AFTER CORRECTING went for a test ride, now let go of the wheel and she runs straight and true thanks for all the input ready for spring driving!

[DavidG]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Sounds like a band aid masking a fundamental wear or adjustment issue. When new or properly maintained no stabilizers were required.

[my4dv8]

We rebuilt everything on our 32 pickups front end. Drove fine and smooth for 500 miles . Out of the blue a violent death wobble, stopped drove another 5 miles and here we go again. Simply i made the mistake of assuming the PO had the correct tie rod length .wrong it was 1”3/8 total out of alignment .