The Ford Barn

white64 · 05-05-2014, 11:12 AM

My model A has an all Ford front suspension:

'40 wishbones un-split w/ model a wishbone yoke
'46 spindles
'46 brakes
'46 shocks
model a axle
f1 steering box w '46 passenger car gears
1935 Ford wire wheels
denman 6.50 tires with tubes

But when I hit a rut that travels along the road, you'd better be paying attention because it will reach out and grab the front end and who knows what side of the rut you'll come out on!

The tie rod ends are all new, the caster is set at 7 degrees, the toe-in is at 1/8 inch, the play at the top of the '46 stock (16 inch?) steering wheel is about 1 1/2inches ( my motor manual from 1946 says 3 inches is acceptable, whoa Nellie!), the end play on the steering shaft itself is negligible...
I cannot move the steering arm by trying to pull it front to back when checking for play...

What am I missing?

1931 flamingo · 05-05-2014, 12:08 PM

Does the wishbone yoke have a rubber ball on it?? Also ck for tightness of the ball. Ck the kingpins for wear, ck for loose brake backing plates, Ck the balls on the steering arms, ck tire pressure and age of tires. Hope this helps.
Paul in CT

white64 · 05-05-2014, 01:40 PM

Thanks Paul,

it has a '46 ball socket, with a '46 rubber ball w/2 socket shims... it was a very tight fit. The king pins are newly installed... tires are new, running 32 lbs of air

maybe this rut issue is common? maybe...?

Tom Walker · 05-05-2014, 05:51 PM

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05-05-2014, 11:12 AM	#1
white64 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Pittston , MAine Posts: 222	Steering issue My model A has an all Ford front suspension: '40 wishbones un-split w/ model a wishbone yoke '46 spindles '46 brakes '46 shocks model a axle f1 steering box w '46 passenger car gears 1935 Ford wire wheels denman 6.50 tires with tubes But when I hit a rut that travels along the road, you'd better be paying attention because it will reach out and grab the front end and who knows what side of the rut you'll come out on! The tie rod ends are all new, the caster is set at 7 degrees, the toe-in is at 1/8 inch, the play at the top of the '46 stock (16 inch?) steering wheel is about 1 1/2inches ( my motor manual from 1946 says 3 inches is acceptable, whoa Nellie!), the end play on the steering shaft itself is negligible... I cannot move the steering arm by trying to pull it front to back when checking for play... What am I missing?

05-05-2014, 12:08 PM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Steering issue Does the wishbone yoke have a rubber ball on it?? Also ck for tightness of the ball. Ck the kingpins for wear, ck for loose brake backing plates, Ck the balls on the steering arms, ck tire pressure and age of tires. Hope this helps. Paul in CT

05-05-2014, 01:40 PM	#3
white64 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Pittston , MAine Posts: 222	Re: Steering issue Thanks Paul, it has a '46 ball socket, with a '46 rubber ball w/2 socket shims... it was a very tight fit. The king pins are newly installed... tires are new, running 32 lbs of air maybe this rut issue is common? maybe...?

05-05-2014, 05:51 PM	#4
Tom Walker Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Leicester. UK Posts: 404	Re: Steering issue Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Fit the DIY Panhard Bar and all yr prayers will be answered.