1947 Steering Geometry

[BILL WZOREK]

I'm starting this thread along with the other.
A little car front end description.
The car is a 1947 Tudor sedan
Wish bone is still stock ~ non split ~
Tires are 215 / 75 R 15 All around
They are cooker tires.
So far I was told I need 1/16" toe in.
Next check caster & camber.
Also rim off set.

Ok now the Geometry.
I understand 1/16" toe in.
And I under the basics of Caster & Camber
(In other words I Know what it is in related to a cars steering)

Are there #'s for the caster & Camber settings that I should be trying to get to?

Now wheel off set I under stand what it is But could someone please explain where the center line of the tire should be in relation to the kingpin
on this car.( If that is the correct way to ask the Question )

Remember small words please I was the kid at the back of the class !!!
Sometimes I think I still Am !!!

[41ford1]

From my manuals on CD:
Kingpin inclination: 8° crosswise

Caster: 3° "Axle may be bent cold for minor corrections providing correct tools used to prevent crushing of axle flange."

Camber: 3/4" "Adjust as for caster."

Toe in: 1/16"

The wheel offset should be such that the center of the tread contact patch and the kingpin centerline are at the same point on the road surface.

[BILL WZOREK]

[QUOTE=41ford1;1012042]From my manuals on CD:
Kingpin inclination: 8° crosswise

Caster: 3° "Axle may be bent cold for minor corrections providing correct tools used to prevent crushing of axle flange."

Camber: 3/4" "Adjust as for caster."

Toe in: 1/16"

The wheel offset should be such that the center of the tread contact patch and the kingpin centerline are at the same point on the road surface.[/QUOTE]

So by this statement if I am reading it correct with the car on the ground the center of the tread should be in the center of the king pins
~ CORRECT ~

[41ford1]

Here is a picture:

[41ford1]

What are you running for rims? 15" makes me think aftermarket. Possibly these have too much offset.

[woodiewagon46]

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The Ford "I Beam" is not easy to adjust in the castor or camber settings. The angle of the wishbones give the front end a fixed Caster and the axle has a built in camber. Over the years of hitting potholes and other assorted road hazards it's possible that a beam axle can be bent to allow the settings to be off. There aren't too many modern shops that can adjust an early Ford axle as they must be bent back into spec hydraulically. I would think a truck alignment shop would be able to cold bend a beam axle.

[BILL WZOREK]

How does the Kingpin inclination of 8* crosswise work if I change the camber won't that change the Kingpin inclination ?

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by BILL WZOREK

How does the Kingpin inclination of 8* crosswise work if I change the camber won't that change the Kingpin inclination ?

Might change minutes or seconds of a degree, most likely too small for you to measure.

[BILL WZOREK]

51 Merc-ct
Ok it's starting to all come together it the brain compartment guys
Thanks for the help , But I am sure I will be back with more Questions before I can flat palm it into a parking spot ::::::

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by BILL WZOREK

51 Merc-ct
Ok it's starting to all come together it the brain compartment guys
Thanks for the help , But I am sure I will be back with more Questions before I can flat palm it into a parking spot ::::::

Flat palming ability decreases with age and condition (and not the age or condition of the car )

[Old Henry]

Before you worry any more about your front end geometry take your car into the local alignment shop and give them these specs and tell them to align the front end.



They should give you a report of the alignment measurements like this:



You will most likely find out that your front end is well within Ford's very wide spec ranges and need no adjustment just as mine is after 239,000 miles. The only adjustment that can be made is toe in which is easy for them to get into spec if it's out. I take mine into my shop every 10,000 miles just to check the toe. They check it for free and rarely have to adjust it.

P.S. This alignment was done with the left king pin worn enough to wiggle the wheel up and down. Still within specs. And, you can see how adjusting the toe in to spec actually improved the camber measurement.

[Old Henry]

As far as "palming" goes, here's how I "palm" mine. Works great. Onlookers think I have power steering.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

The only adjustment that can be made is toe in which is easy for them to get into spec if it's out.

.

Back when these axle systems were state of the art and even today, were , as required routinely cold bent to achieve the correct caster and camber settings.