1934 Coupe vibration at low speed??

[Phil Gillespie]

Car is fitted with cross ply new 525/550 17 tyres. All have been balanced & wheel alignment done.
New shocks fitted all around.

Occasionally at low speed, 10 to 15 mph, over a bumpy road service the following happens.
Extreme vibration felt through the car especially from front end and via steering wheel.
The vibration will not stop if speed is increased.
solved by applying brakes to complete stop and start off again.
Seems the common factor being the low speed, and vibration generated by bumpy road surface.
have checked underneath to see all is secure, appears ok.

Can it be? Tie rod ends, king pins, steering box, springs,
shock absorbers.
A damaged wheel? As today had a rear wheel develop a radial split and displacement! However this was noted today and above was happening before this occurred.
Thanks,
Phil
NZ
Or combination of above.

Appreciate all assistance and guidance with this query

[31chevy]

You might try tightening the drag link, I believe you are supposed to turn the nuts in as far as it will go & then back out to the first hole you can get the cotter key in. Correct me if I'm wrong someone. Hope it helps.
Gary.

[G.M.]

This can be any of the above plus where the perch bolts go through the axle. Look for rust stains around the perch on top of the axle. I purchased a 40 coupe years ago and the steering wheel had 3/4 of a full turn play. Every thing mentioned above was a little loose plus steering box to frame and steering adjustment even the steering wheel was loose. After tightening and adjusting with no new parts the steering was perfect. With the front wheels on the ground have someone turn the steering wheel from left to right about 1/8th of a turn until it gets hard and the slop is gone each way while you are underneath looking at every place that could be loose. G.M.

[David J]

Do a search here on " Death Wobble " and you should find your answers . It is probably the springs in your drag link - tie rod ends not having enough pre-load like pointed out in post # 2 . Cross steer cars like 35 & up don't have this issue normally but 28-34 sure do .

[Phil Gillespie]

Thanks very much for all replies.
It sure is as described "Death Wobble" quite scary when it happens.
Will follow through on all answers on these threads
Beginning with easy ones, tie rods, drag link ,adjustments and pitman arm security and am sure this is another problem which will be overcome due to helpful assistance and advice from Ford Barn members
greatly appreciated as always.
Phil
NZ

[Lawrie]

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Phil,
I had that problem on my A.
slowly got worse.
Got so bad while on holiday in it in Tasmania I was afraid to use the brakes.
I tried every thing.
FINALY found two front tyres not seated on the rim fully.
Lawrie

[Peterooster]

Caster angle very important on solid axle vehicles. Pete

[tiquer]

Front wheel bearings loose????

[FL&WVMIKE]

I had the "Death Wobble" problem for a while. I tightened my tie rod, a half turn, at each end, and that fixed it. It hasn't happened since.
I feel that I was lucky, as several things can cause that.
MIKE

[Phil Gillespie]

Thanks so much for assistance. I certainly will attend to all areas as advised and sure this will be resolved.
Thanks,
Phil
NZ

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

After building my Model A I hit a little bump and that wobble started. I tightened the tie rod and drags link ends right up and backed them off to get the cotterpin in. Never had that happen again. Walt PS caster, back in the early 60's my father bought a new International one ton dump truck, on a bumpy road that thing would go into a saint vites dance, you would have to stop. Problem, the caster was way off, had to tapper shim the straight axel to tip it back. Walt