My steering is crap. Where to start?

Phil · Post by **Phil** » September 4, 2007, 9:01 pm

I know I have posed this question in a couple posts but I am hoping to figure out where to start.
I know tie rod ends would be an easy job but they are like $40 a piece.
Looks like the shotgun approach will get spendy.

It steers fine around corners with no suprises but while driving
it seems to wander left to right and I have to correct it to keep it strait.
The steering wheel seems tight but the wheels themselves seem to have
left to right slop.

What things should I look at?

steering box?
king pins?
tierod ends?
power assist unit?
weight of engine and missing crossmember?

whats most likely?

Kingpin on passenger side has a little play. Wheel will rock top to bottom about 1/16" There is no play when you rock the wheel front to back but the tie rod ends roll back and forth on their ball sockets

The box seems tight compared to all the horrible Torino boxes I have owned

Post by **Greg D** » September 4, 2007, 9:22 pm

Check the drag link too. My tie rod ends are tight, king pins good, drag link bad. I have to be on it all the time because you combine the bad rag link with the bump steer - well you get the point. I would also get after the tie rod ends next if not first. I seem to remember you already did the eye bushings so those won't be it.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » September 4, 2007, 9:28 pm

Heavyhauler wrote:What things should I look at?

steering box?
king pins?
tierod ends?
power assist unit?
weight of engine and missing crossmember?

Greg D wrote:Check the drag link too. My tie rod ends are tight, king pins good, drag link bad. I have to be on it all the time because you combine the bad rag link with the bump steer - well you get the point.

All the above. Now you know why I don't own a straight axle .

Y'know I am starting to think them Canadians are out to get Doc. Can't imagine why.

GLindley · Post by **GLindley** » September 4, 2007, 9:34 pm

Phil, one item you missed was the drag link. Play in the steering box, loose drag link, loose tie rod ends can all significantly add sloppiness to steering. Also a fairly low tire can make the truck wander to that side.
With the wheel off, you can see better as to what is or isn't moving when you try to wiggle the wheel in the 12 to 6 o'clock axis and the 9 to 3 o'clock axis.

GLindley · Post by **GLindley** » September 4, 2007, 9:35 pm

Looks like a bunch of us was answering this at the same time!

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » September 5, 2007, 3:26 am

I think that missing cross member has to be a problem.listen carefully I can only say this once!, have you had a wheel alignment done,sorry have to go.

Alan

fmartin_gila · Post by **fmartin_gila** » September 5, 2007, 8:38 am

Those 40 + year old springs sag somewhat also and that changes the caster. I had to install 2 1/2 degree caster shims in mine to be able to keep it in a lane.
Fred

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » September 5, 2007, 10:28 am

Old king pics combined with wide tires are a nice rut-grabbing combo, from my experience. But other worn steering linkage pieces can definitely do that too.

ripsnorter · Post by **ripsnorter** » September 5, 2007, 11:37 am

I've got about the same problem heavy. (phil?)

my '62 drives just fine, doesnt really pull at all, but it wanders a lot. If I'm not paying attention I find I'm back and forth hitting both lines of my lane. (one of these days I'm going to get pulled over for drunk driving)

I while back I went through and checked for kingpin play etc, seemed fine. I repacked the bearings, (which I had just done a few months before) however I did NOT replace any of the races or seals. I have an inkling my problem might be that the seals are shot at the back of the spindle, grease is slowly working its way out and giving just a tiny bit of play in the bearings, which is causing my steering to wander just a bit.

My only real basis for this is that after I packed the bearings, and tightened everything down it drove just fine. After a few weeks it started to wander again.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » September 5, 2007, 12:35 pm

ripsnorter wrote:I've got about the same problem heavy. (phil?)

my '62 drives just fine, doesnt really pull at all, but it wanders a lot. If I'm not paying attention I find I'm back and forth hitting both lines of my lane. (one of these days I'm going to get pulled over for drunk driving)

I while back I went through and checked for kingpin play etc, seemed fine. I repacked the bearings, (which I had just done a few months before) however I did NOT replace any of the races or seals. I have an inkling my problem might be that the seals are shot at the back of the spindle, grease is slowly working its way out and giving just a tiny bit of play in the bearings, which is causing my steering to wander just a bit.

My only real basis for this is that after I packed the bearings, and tightened everything down it drove just fine. After a few weeks it started to wander again.

New bearings and races with my disk swap.
Hmm I'll do some deectiving tonight but it sounds like the answer to where on my list to I start is "yes"
:lol:

*out comes the parts shotgun.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » September 5, 2007, 12:38 pm

fmartin_gila wrote:Those 40 + year old springs sag somewhat also and that changes the caster. I had to install 2 1/2 degree caster shims in mine to be able to keep it in a lane.
Fred

How does caster change in a strait axle?
Isn't it all relative to set axle dimensions VS ride ht?

fmartin_gila · Post by **fmartin_gila** » September 6, 2007, 7:40 am

Caster is held by the small area where the axle bolts to the springs. Angle shims have been used since the start of this type of suspension to set caster in the front and pinion angle in the rear. I don't know how to explain it, it just changes as the springs age, and usually angle has to be added.
Fred

Phil · Post by **Phil** » September 6, 2007, 8:22 am

fmartin_gila wrote:Caster is held by the small area where the axle bolts to the springs. Angle shims have been used since the start of this type of suspension to set caster in the front and pinion angle in the rear. I don't know how to explain it, it just changes as the springs age, and usually angle has to be added.
Fred

Thanks Fred.

I talked to my buddy last night that built that blue Effie.
He said its more of an inherant flaw in the caster that caused guys to use shims. Regardless I may try it.

He offered some free things to try, maybe you'll think its basic but then I need strait axle basics at this point:

Jack up one side and try to move the wheel like your turning. If it moves there is a tie rod end issue.

Hands at 12 and 6 and wiggle looking for kingpin play.

Have a buddy jerk the wheel L to R and look for loose stuff

Grease the kingpins, If they won't take grease use a torch to heat the axle some while pumping.

I may fab a crossmember soon- I don't believe this is my issue currently (can't be good but) The deflection happens in a straitline drive on smooth highway/streets with no moving of the steering wheel. No reason for side to side flex

I need to look over the power assist ball socket/drag link junction.

Steering box seems fine.

Gave me a tip to check toe as well.
jack up the truck and spin the tires while scribing a line in the treads center.
Measure at the bottom of the tire line to line, now measure front and
rear Front dimension should be 1/8" less

Thanks for all your suggestions guys!!
Comments?

Comet · Post by **Comet** » September 6, 2007, 1:49 pm

I would do it all. Spend the money, even if it is not the cause of the problem, it is likely 45 years old and needs replacing. Don't mess with steering stuff.
I did all mine at once, new TRE's, king pins, bushings, I even replaced the steering box.

64fordf100292v8 · Post by **64fordf100292v8** » September 6, 2007, 3:34 pm

Ive replaced everything on my 64 and it drives great now. Just got done taking it on a 300 mile camping trip though a bunch of mountain passes and switchbacks. Steered perfectly.

Your truck sits alot higher in the rear which takes caster out of your front axle. I would defintaly install some 2 to 4 degree shims to rotate the top of the kingpin towards the rear of the truck.

Another thing that may be wrong is maybe your power steering add on is too sensitive. The kit that Classic Performance Products makes states in the instructions that you have to re-work whatever power steering pump you use to operate at a lower pressure or use an adjustable regulator inline. Maybe your pump produces too much pressure and its overly sensitive???

Just my :2cents:

shawns fords · Post by **shawns fords** » September 6, 2007, 6:23 pm

64fordf100292v8 wrote:Ive replaced everything on my 64 and it drives great now. Just got done taking it on a 300 mile camping trip though a bunch of mountain passes and switchbacks. Steered perfectly.

Your truck sits alot higher in the rear which takes caster out of your front axle. I would defintaly install some 2 to 4 degree shims to rotate the top of the kingpin towards the rear of the truck.

Another thing that may be wrong is maybe your power steering add on is too sensitive. The kit that Classic Performance Products makes states in the instructions that you have to re-work whatever power steering pump you use to operate at a lower pressure or use an adjustable regulator inline. Maybe your pump produces too much pressure and its overly sensitive???
I spent about 300 bucks on everything up front except king pins, they are still good as new so it was not needed. new brakes and links etc etc, I had gear box out and measured rolling resistance it was just as good as new and nice and smooth.

Just my

Phil · Post by **Phil** » September 6, 2007, 7:33 pm

I know you guys are right and I will get it all done but I think I found a clue
The pitman arm moves eccessivly on the PS assist

This video may show it, sorry so dark. bad attachment is in the screen center

64fordf100292v8 · Post by **64fordf100292v8** » September 6, 2007, 8:17 pm

Yep, looks worn out to me. I would seriously consider removing that power assist system and installing a factory drag link. That is not a very good system. Besides, the manual steering isnt all that bad