Steering rumbles while driving! Help !!!

[V8Germany]

Hi Forum,

I'm in Germany and own a Modell 68 Fordor Sedan from 1936.
Car just got full approval from german Technical Control Board.

This morning we did the Maiden trip...1 mile...

Then suddenly the steering started rumbling, the front of the car
was shaking/ vibrating and the steering felt soft and with no connection
to the wheels.

The vibrations stopped when I slowed down, but came back, independent
from the speed.

Air pressure in the tyres ok, tyres seem to be fix.

The rumbling was as strong that I nearly did not dare to drive home.

And idea, help ?

See pics

[petehoovie]

Loose/worn tie rod or pitman arm. Steering box problem. Loose wheels?

[V8Germany]

Wheels seem to be ok.

Thx, for the support.

[Andy]

I had a similar problem that was fixed with new kingpins/bushings.

[flatford8]

Loose wheel bearings?..... Dry steering box?..... Mark

[SofaKing]

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Its hard to believe German inspection would have missed worn kingpins or loose steering components but it is a good place to start. Check also the front spring bolts and the radius rod ball rubber pad and attachment for wear or looseness. Verify that your shocks are working properly and evenly on both sides. I'd also investigate the steering feeling "disconnected" and verify that was just a feeling and not a mechanical failure in the steering mechanism or sheared key in the steering wheel.

[V8Germany]

I share your thoughts about our German Inspection �� Thanks
for the input. By the way, car is from the Salt Lake City area :-)

[Ed Pitts]

Also check the toe in.

[V8COOPMAN]

Your "rumbling" in your steering sounds like what many folks refer to as the "death-wobble", where the front wheels begin violently shaking from side to side, uncontrollably. Click the link below for hours of reading about, and theoretical remedies for the death-wobble here on the FordBarn. DD

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=death+wobble

[V8Germany]

Wow :-( Thanks

[tubman]

Mr. Coopman, are you sure that link is OK? When I click on it it says it can't be found. (Tried it twice.)

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by tubman

Mr. Coopman, are you sure that link is OK? When I click on it it says it can't be found. (Tried it twice.)

Not sure what transpired there.......try this link! DD

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=death+wobble

[JSeery]

Worked for me, it is a search page.

The second link is an actual thread.

[supereal]

If the tire inflation is correct all around, and there isn't lots of play in the steering gear or other parts, it is likely the toe-in of the front wheels is incorrect. I have seen this in Model A's so bad that the car had to be stopped to get rid of the wobble. If the toe in shows about zero to 1/16", but the shimmy is still there, swap the front and back wheels and tires. If that cures or changes the problem, look for a bent wheel or out of round tire. Tire balance may contribute to the problem, but usually not to a severe degree.

[36coupe]

Some simple checks you can do. Have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth and check the steering components for excess play.
If your wheels are toed out too far you can get death wobble on uneven surfaces.
Good luck.

[J Franklin]

I had an out of round tire that caused shimmy Or rumble as you say.

[V8Germany]

Problem solved, thank you for the help. A couple of loose screws @ steering gear.

[Paul Bennett]

My car has a loose nut behind the wheel.



Me Gramps told me that, can't belive I repeated it, musta came from 1903.