The Ford Barn

Mad Mac · 05-14-2020, 10:22 PM

I am trying to diagnose the cause of a slight wobble in the steering of my 1929 RPU. This is not the dreaded “death wobble” but more a tendency to wander at cruising speed. There is no play at all in the 7-tooth steering box and pitman arm (checked on the bench with a dial guage) and the steering column is bolted tightly to the frame. Therefore I assume the problem lies “downstream” of the pitman arm, probably in the drag link and/or tie rod connections. I will investigate them shortly, but in the meantime I want to eliminate other possible causes that could be cheaper and easier to fix.

Just recently I did two things that seemed to worsen it: I pumped both front tyres up to 35psi and repacked the bearings in the LHS wheel. I tightened the wheel nut as per recommendations in this forum, so am hoping it is tight enough. I would be grateful for any further suggestions

05-14-2020, 10:22 PM	#1
Mad Mac Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Zealand Posts: 366	Steering wobbe I am trying to diagnose the cause of a slight wobble in the steering of my 1929 RPU. This is not the dreaded “death wobble” but more a tendency to wander at cruising speed. There is no play at all in the 7-tooth steering box and pitman arm (checked on the bench with a dial guage) and the steering column is bolted tightly to the frame. Therefore I assume the problem lies “downstream” of the pitman arm, probably in the drag link and/or tie rod connections. I will investigate them shortly, but in the meantime I want to eliminate other possible causes that could be cheaper and easier to fix. Just recently I did two things that seemed to worsen it: I pumped both front tyres up to 35psi and repacked the bearings in the LHS wheel. I tightened the wheel nut as per recommendations in this forum, so am hoping it is tight enough. I would be grateful for any further suggestions