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Old 05-23-2020, 06:52 AM   #1
Guitar1
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Default Steering turn from center

My 31’ Roadster ( 2 tooth ) turns 1 1/2 turns from center to left mechanical stop. However, it only turns 3/4 of a turn from center to the right mechanical stop. Getting full travel in both directions within 1/4” of travel on both sides.
Any ideas?

Last edited by Guitar1; 05-23-2020 at 07:03 AM.
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Old 05-23-2020, 06:55 AM   #2
Roxo
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

I have the same issue. Is it nomal?
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Old 05-23-2020, 08:01 AM   #3
ryanheacox
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

Not normal, no. Should be 3 turns lock to lock or 1 1/2 turns from center in each direction. When you say mechanical stop you mean the spindle is hitting it’s stop?
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Old 05-23-2020, 08:30 AM   #4
Mulletwagon
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

Sounds like a wheel alignment caper. Probably need to center the stearing box (equal turns both ways) then center the wheels by adjusting the linkage.
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Old 05-23-2020, 09:04 AM   #5
daren007
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

Center the wheel by adjusting the linkage? Please expplain.
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Old 05-23-2020, 12:28 PM   #6
john charlton
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

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If you rotate the wheel 3 turns lock to lock . Then rotate the wheel a turn and a half and look at the wheels and which way are they pointing??? They should point more or less straight ahead . In your case they will not so must be the pitman arm is bent . There is no adjustment on the draglink to address the problem . Trying to think if playing with the tie rod end adjustment would work but that is too complicated for my newly discovered senile brain !!!

John in sunny windy rain showers Suffolk County England .
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Old 05-23-2020, 01:10 PM   #7
daren007
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

Without a adjustable drag link or bending the pitman you are done.
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Old 05-23-2020, 04:08 PM   #8
Curtis in MA
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

I think his steering wheel only turns 2 1/4 turns lock to lock.
Right turn radius must be huge.
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Old 05-23-2020, 05:23 PM   #9
Roxo
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

Mine only turns right one full turn. The tire hits the brake rod at full turn.

It turns just over one and a half turns to the left but is 2" from hitting the brake rod.
The wheels seam to turn equally both directions to look at the wheel positions.

So I thought maybe someone ( before me ) put the pitman arm on with the wheel turned to the right. So I disconnected the pitman arm and turned the wheel to the left. Nope it comes to a stop before you can slide the pitman arm back on.

When driving I don't notice it. So Its always been that way and Maybe it will stay that way.
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Old 05-24-2020, 10:09 AM   #10
SSsssteamer
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

The steering arm on the front spindle could be bent. It would be the easiest one to bend to correct the unequaled steering problem. A little heat, a little tweak and you are done.
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Old 05-24-2020, 10:24 AM   #11
duke36
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

Did you remove the pitman arm or drag link end and test number of turns without it connected as Roxo stated? My gearing is only about 2 and 3/4 + lock to lock with the gear out of the car. Also, with a shortened pitman arm, the steering wheel / gear may not be centered with the wheels straight ahead. The center position is where the gear freeplay is taken out per the Service Bulletins, and other resources. There is an adjustable drag link available or one can make one with appropriate tools.

Last edited by duke36; 05-24-2020 at 10:30 AM.
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Old 05-24-2020, 10:29 AM   #12
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

W/the pitman arm disconnected you should be able to turn the steering wheel 3 turns, lock to lock. If'n it can't be turned 3 turns, this tells me that the steering box is out of adjustment.
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Old 05-24-2020, 03:47 PM   #13
Mulletwagon
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

This thread made me curious about my steering. Jacked up the '31 on the front axle and determined the wheel turns 2.4 turns lock to lock. Center to full right turn takes 1.1 turns but full left takes 1.3 turns. What also seems strange is the right wheel turns more right than the left wheel turns left even though the steering wheel turns less. This may be another of those quirky Model Aisms. Unlike modern cars, looks like the front wheels remain parallel in turns i.e, the inner wheel does not turn more than the outter wheel in a turn to track the different turn radius from the center of the turn circle. Is this true ? Would like to hear if anybody has equal steering wheel turns right and left. Some suggest a bent Pittman arm could be the culprit. They seem pretty stout and unlikely to bend. The steering arm on the left spindle seems more vulnerable to bending from a hard impact but never heard of one bending. Does this happen and is rebending something of a routine operation ? Would welcome a good "Model A Steering 101" from some of the old heads.
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Old 05-24-2020, 05:37 PM   #14
daren007
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

Something else is going to break before the pitman bends. Anything that changes the distance from the front axle to steering box will give you this problem it takes very little, a axle that is not square with the car, bent spring etc.
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Old 05-24-2020, 06:16 PM   #15
Chuck Sea/Tac
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Default Re: Steering turn from center

I’ve seen a V8 drag link on a model A before. They’re longer. The A is 24 5/8”.
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