The Ford Barn

Daba · 06-12-2020, 05:59 AM

I am a newbie here my name is Daba I have a 1931 model a slight window four-door. it’s been a 20 year restoration and I am far from done, i’m a weekend warrior and put whatever money I have into it. I did get it registered and took it out on its maiden voyage, it seems to run and go OK however the steering feels very sticky wondering if there’s any suggestion On how to get it unstuck it takes a little effort to unstick it but then it sticks again??
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Daba

1931 flamingo · 06-12-2020, 07:36 AM

WELCOME ! ! Is there lubrication in the steering box?? Have you greased the front end??
Paul in CT

ryanheacox · 06-12-2020, 07:39 AM

Welcome! My thoughts were the same as Paul's. How much play do you have in the steering?

Big hammer · 06-12-2020, 08:21 AM

X3 even if you greased it when you put it together the grease many be hard !

Patrick L. · 06-12-2020, 10:25 AM

So what has been done to the front end ? Jack it up, jacks under axle, see it it 'sticks' and why. Look every piece over to see where the problem is. Maybe even take off the pitman arm or drag link to see if the problem is in the box or steering parts.

It should have a 2 tooth box and they can be adjusted. Get a book of service bulletins. There are 4 adjustments that need to done in order.

Ruth · 06-12-2020, 11:03 AM

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Does it stick at full right and/or left. If so the steering box worm gear mesh adjustment is too tight.

WHN · 06-12-2020, 11:15 AM

We had a similar problem with our 29.

It was in the steering box.

I agree that you should jack up the front end and go thru everything.

We ended up rebuilding the complete front end along with new spring and correct shocks.

Remember, a little slack in a number of places within your cars front end. Makes for a difficult to control car. Very unsafe.

Enjoy.

jimvette59 · 06-12-2020, 11:20 AM

Is the steering sticking at the sweet spot when going straight ? If so the steering box may need to be adjusted and cleaned out of the old lubricant. Just a thought could be rust if was sitting for a long time. JMHO

rotorwrench · 06-12-2020, 11:27 AM

My guess is some spalling of the worm gear. They always wear in the steering centered location since that's where they spend most of their life and it's also where the gear mesh is the tightest. As was mentioned, jacking and supporting the front of the car would be required to check. Disconnect the drag link and turn the pitman arm both ways in the centered position. If it has divots in the worm, they will be felt going through the centered location. If the steering gear feels OK then rotate the wheels and check for king pin problems. Disconnect the tie rod to check each side independently.

Daba · 06-12-2020, 01:24 PM

Thanks. I will try all of your suggestions and get back to you soon. Thanks again
Daba

Daba · 06-14-2020, 07:44 AM

Thanks again for all your help. I did
The steering adjustments as provided in a diagram I found online and that fix the problem it said three out of four adjustments that did the trick.

Ruth · 06-14-2020, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daba

Thanks again for all your help. I did
The steering adjustments as provided in a diagram I found online and that fix the problem it said three out of four adjustments that did the trick.

Good for you.

Patrick L. · 06-14-2020, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daba

Thanks again for all your help. I did
The steering adjustments as provided in a diagram I found online and that fix the problem it said three out of four adjustments that did the trick.

Yep, the last adjustment isn't often needed. I warped a screwdriver to check it and adjust them in the car.

06-12-2020, 05:59 AM	#1
Daba Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Orange Massachusetts Posts: 75	Sticky Steering I am a newbie here my name is Daba I have a 1931 model a slight window four-door. it’s been a 20 year restoration and I am far from done, i’m a weekend warrior and put whatever money I have into it. I did get it registered and took it out on its maiden voyage, it seems to run and go OK however the steering feels very sticky wondering if there’s any suggestion On how to get it unstuck it takes a little effort to unstick it but then it sticks again?? Thanks for any advice you can give me. Daba

06-12-2020, 07:36 AM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Sticky Steering WELCOME ! ! Is there lubrication in the steering box?? Have you greased the front end?? Paul in CT

06-12-2020, 07:39 AM	#3
ryanheacox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northwest CT Posts: 1,092	Re: Sticky Steering Welcome! My thoughts were the same as Paul's. How much play do you have in the steering?

06-12-2020, 08:21 AM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Sticky Steering X3 even if you greased it when you put it together the grease many be hard ! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

06-12-2020, 10:25 AM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Sticky Steering So what has been done to the front end ? Jack it up, jacks under axle, see it it 'sticks' and why. Look every piece over to see where the problem is. Maybe even take off the pitman arm or drag link to see if the problem is in the box or steering parts. It should have a 2 tooth box and they can be adjusted. Get a book of service bulletins. There are 4 adjustments that need to done in order.

06-12-2020, 11:03 AM	#6
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,339	Re: Sticky Steering Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Does it stick at full right and/or left. If so the steering box worm gear mesh adjustment is too tight. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread" Last edited by Ruth; 06-12-2020 at 11:19 AM.

06-12-2020, 11:15 AM	#7
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,823	Re: Sticky Steering We had a similar problem with our 29. It was in the steering box. I agree that you should jack up the front end and go thru everything. We ended up rebuilding the complete front end along with new spring and correct shocks. Remember, a little slack in a number of places within your cars front end. Makes for a difficult to control car. Very unsafe. Enjoy.

06-12-2020, 11:20 AM	#8
jimvette59 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perry OH Posts: 1,330	Re: Sticky Steering Is the steering sticking at the sweet spot when going straight ? If so the steering box may need to be adjusted and cleaned out of the old lubricant. Just a thought could be rust if was sitting for a long time. JMHO

06-12-2020, 11:27 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: Sticky Steering My guess is some spalling of the worm gear. They always wear in the steering centered location since that's where they spend most of their life and it's also where the gear mesh is the tightest. As was mentioned, jacking and supporting the front of the car would be required to check. Disconnect the drag link and turn the pitman arm both ways in the centered position. If it has divots in the worm, they will be felt going through the centered location. If the steering gear feels OK then rotate the wheels and check for king pin problems. Disconnect the tie rod to check each side independently. Last edited by rotorwrench; 06-12-2020 at 01:43 PM.

06-12-2020, 01:24 PM	#10
Daba Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Orange Massachusetts Posts: 75	Re: Sticky Steering Thanks. I will try all of your suggestions and get back to you soon. Thanks again Daba

06-14-2020, 07:44 AM	#11
Daba Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Orange Massachusetts Posts: 75	Re: Sticky Steering Thanks again for all your help. I did The steering adjustments as provided in a diagram I found online and that fix the problem it said three out of four adjustments that did the trick.