The Ford Barn

Talkwrench · 07-27-2017, 06:49 PM

After you have found and cured your problem you will see why its advisable to add a steering damper.

Tinker · 07-27-2017, 06:50 PM

Could try swapping out the rear tires for the front (if the same size). Free anyways.

Somethings loosey-goosey...

Anteek29 · 07-27-2017, 07:07 PM

I have that occur occasionally in my '29. Steering box needs a rebuild...lots of steering wheel play.

Newc · 07-27-2017, 07:15 PM

Hi all; Bought a Model A on the cheap because of this and found the wishbone pivot loose. Repaired and it was a good car. Newc

Gary in La. · 07-27-2017, 07:32 PM

The first thing I would check is for correct toe in.

Krylon32 · 07-27-2017, 08:23 PM

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My deuce pu has split bones with 37 Hudson steering leading to 32 spindles all with original 32 tie rod ends. I have 6 degrees of caster and 1/8 toe in. I have ran a steering damper from the beginning and it drives perfect at any speed.

Karl Wolf · 07-27-2017, 09:48 PM

My death wobble upon first drive was due to the fact that one of the tires had a bunch of dried mud in it...

I like the (1976 ish) VW Super Beetle front steering damper...

Have a friendly person move the steering wheel from side to side, just 1 to 3 inches.
You're underneath, touch all the joints one by one, both sides of the joint at the same time.. You will find out where there is any slop.

I'm running about 10 degrees castor angle, small toe-in 1/16".

Karl

ct1932ford · 07-28-2017, 09:11 AM

Are you using a dropped axle? Anyway if you do not find the problem put a steering damper on it. You can get one from So-Cal speed shop or off an early VW. I use one on all my cars it will end the problem.

trainguy · 07-28-2017, 10:32 AM

My 39 CS had the same problem,I couldn't find the problem without a major remove and replace program. I nstalled a damper,problem gone!

RalphM · 07-28-2017, 11:34 AM

I am having the same issue with my AV8.
32 frame, split 37 bones, new axle, 7 degrees caster, bias plies.
First time I thought it was just gen bump I hit, our roads are pretty crappy. Second time I started looking for a problem, only thing I could think of was tightening up the drag link ends( ball and spring style).
I thought I had it, but about a month ago at about 35 mph I hit one of those same gaps in the road and it came back with a vengeance. I had to come to a full stop.
I'm still looking for the problem. Whatever you come up with, I'll give it a try.

JSeery · 07-28-2017, 12:10 PM

Solid axles don't like bumps! Is the steering box tight?

Paul Selfe · 07-28-2017, 12:17 PM

I agree with Gary, had that problem on my roadster going over tar strips that were slightly at angles. Adjusted the toe-in, no more shimmy. Paul Selfe.

lafarm · 07-28-2017, 06:09 PM

A weak front spring will change the castor, Had a model A same problem replaced front spring problem cured

V8COOPMAN · 07-28-2017, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lafarm

A weak front spring will change the castor, Had a model A same problem replaced front spring problem cured

You know, I had to think about that one for about four seconds, but you're right.......as the chassis altitude decreases (with a weak spring), the rear of the wishbone goes down. BUT..........that INCREASES the caster in a POSITIVE direction.......which ain't a bad thing! DD

JSeery · 07-28-2017, 09:17 PM

The problem may have been more in the shackles than the spring, than might account for the fix in changing the spring. Hard to believe it was a weak spring alone as removing leaves to lower the front (which would weaken the spring) is a common practice.

Old Redneck · 07-29-2017, 06:52 AM

When I had Model A's the problem was in the wishbone ball being loose. I think I use the rubber ball to correct the problem back then. I have not check that as yet. I got a car on the lift so I need to finish it first.

JSeery · 07-29-2017, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Redneck

I got a car on the lift so I need to finish it first.

To many cars, not enough time!

willowbilly3 · 07-29-2017, 07:51 AM

If everything is right, it shouldn't. That being said, my rpu with split bones did it, bad. Mostly when I'd hit something on a diagonal like a bridge seam.Everything was new, alignment done and 7 degrees caster. Steering stabilizer fixed it. Look under any newer vehicle with a solid axle (like Jeep) and you will see one from the factory.

07-27-2017, 06:49 PM	#21
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good After you have found and cured your problem you will see why its advisable to add a steering damper. __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

07-27-2017, 06:50 PM	#22
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good Could try swapping out the rear tires for the front (if the same size). Free anyways. Somethings loosey-goosey...

07-27-2017, 07:07 PM	#23
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good I have that occur occasionally in my '29. Steering box needs a rebuild...lots of steering wheel play. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

07-27-2017, 07:15 PM	#24
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,484	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good Hi all; Bought a Model A on the cheap because of this and found the wishbone pivot loose. Repaired and it was a good car. Newc

07-27-2017, 07:32 PM	#25
Gary in La. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 866	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good The first thing I would check is for correct toe in.

07-27-2017, 08:23 PM	#26
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,484	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My deuce pu has split bones with 37 Hudson steering leading to 32 spindles all with original 32 tie rod ends. I have 6 degrees of caster and 1/8 toe in. I have ran a steering damper from the beginning and it drives perfect at any speed.

07-27-2017, 09:48 PM	#27
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good My death wobble upon first drive was due to the fact that one of the tires had a bunch of dried mud in it... I like the (1976 ish) VW Super Beetle front steering damper... Have a friendly person move the steering wheel from side to side, just 1 to 3 inches. You're underneath, touch all the joints one by one, both sides of the joint at the same time.. You will find out where there is any slop. I'm running about 10 degrees castor angle, small toe-in 1/16". Karl

07-28-2017, 10:32 AM	#29
trainguy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lehighton Pa Posts: 1,085	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good My 39 CS had the same problem,I couldn't find the problem without a major remove and replace program. I nstalled a damper,problem gone!

07-28-2017, 11:34 AM	#30
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good I am having the same issue with my AV8. 32 frame, split 37 bones, new axle, 7 degrees caster, bias plies. First time I thought it was just gen bump I hit, our roads are pretty crappy. Second time I started looking for a problem, only thing I could think of was tightening up the drag link ends( ball and spring style). I thought I had it, but about a month ago at about 35 mph I hit one of those same gaps in the road and it came back with a vengeance. I had to come to a full stop. I'm still looking for the problem. Whatever you come up with, I'll give it a try.

07-28-2017, 12:10 PM	#31
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good Solid axles don't like bumps! Is the steering box tight?

07-28-2017, 12:17 PM	#32
Paul Selfe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Novelty, Ohio Posts: 136	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good I agree with Gary, had that problem on my roadster going over tar strips that were slightly at angles. Adjusted the toe-in, no more shimmy. Paul Selfe.

07-28-2017, 06:09 PM	#33
lafarm Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: SW MI Posts: 46	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good A weak front spring will change the castor, Had a model A same problem replaced front spring problem cured

07-28-2017, 09:17 PM	#35
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good The problem may have been more in the shackles than the spring, than might account for the fix in changing the spring. Hard to believe it was a weak spring alone as removing leaves to lower the front (which would weaken the spring) is a common practice.

07-29-2017, 06:52 AM	#36
Old Redneck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesburg,Pa. Posts: 1,910	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good When I had Model A's the problem was in the wishbone ball being loose. I think I use the rubber ball to correct the problem back then. I have not check that as yet. I got a car on the lift so I need to finish it first.

07-29-2017, 07:51 AM	#38
willowbilly3 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Black Hills, SD Posts: 577	Re: I test drove the 32 today Not good If everything is right, it shouldn't. That being said, my rpu with split bones did it, bad. Mostly when I'd hit something on a diagonal like a bridge seam.Everything was new, alignment done and 7 degrees caster. Steering stabilizer fixed it. Look under any newer vehicle with a solid axle (like Jeep) and you will see one from the factory.