Checking steering box for play, best way?

corvette8n

corvette8n

Well-known member
What the best way to check the steering box for play in my ‘41. Can I do this myself or do I need a helper?
 
You need a helper. One to turn the wheel back and forth and the other to look at the various components to see where the slop is.
 
Paul is correct, you need some one to wiggle the steering wheel while you look at all the parts. You don't tell us the issue, but for example 1 inch of play at the steering wheel, could be an accumulation of several components, and not necessarily a bad steering box.

while your helper is wiggling the steering wheel back and forth, follow the thrust in each direction, is the pitman arm still only turning and not moving side to side? bad bushing on the sector shaft.

Are the ends of the drag link moving in unison, or some play there?

Tie rod ends too, does the rod move without play?

All this is done easy, on the ground. but next is king pins

jack the car up, grab the tire a 12:o clock and 6: o clock, will it rock back and fourth?

All that stuff is easy to fix except the king pins, that requires lots of bad words

How bad is it? personally, I consider 1 inch of slop acceptable
 
Thank for the info, the car wanders more than I think it should, steering input seems excessive. I’ll have to get one of the grandkids behind the wheel while I observe. I do have a set of kingpins and a reamer in my stash of parts, but I need to find a place that has tie rod ends.
 
corvette8n said:
Thank for the info, the car wanders more than I think it should, steering input seems excessive. I’ll have to get one of the grandkids behind the wheel while I observe. I do have a set of kingpins and a reamer in my stash of parts, but I need to find a place that has tie rod ends.
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Your local auto parts store may well have the tie rod ends. From memory they are the same for fords from 1928-1967 or something along those lines. With plenty of new parts, adjusting the lock screw, R&R paper shims etc,I never can seem to get past about an inch of play at the wheel. After 52 years of old ford trucks I run a strong 1/8" toe in and drive in the middle of the play with a light hand, often just a fingertip on the wheel. At the slightest wander I apply light pressure to correct and the truck stays neatly in the center. This is unlike some family members who have driven the woodie and other trucks of mine and are constantly over-correcting, veering from one fog line to the to the other while complaining about the steering. :)
 
GB SISSON said:
drive in the middle of the play with a light hand, often just a fingertip on the wheel. At the slightest wander I apply light pressure to correct and the truck stays neatly in the center. This is unlike some family members who have driven the woodie and other trucks of mine and are constantly over-correcting, veering from one fog line to the to the other while complaining about the steering. :)
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They pr0obably only ever drove rack and pinion steering vehicles. We're used to the old cars and truck worm and sector.

You're right on the common Ford application for tie rod ends.

Glenn
 
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Thanks Glenn, and the gal in question is actually an excellent driver with 20 years on the fire dept and all those trucks and aid cars, besides she prefers a manual trans in her daily driver which is a '96 subaru with a 5 speed and 220,000 on the clock. BTW her suby has incredible steering, like it's on rails (but the headlights perform more like parking lights).
And back to the original subject, be careful about tightening the screw with the locknut on the steering box. One bit too tight and it won't return to center on it's own after making a corner and that can be very disconcerting if you aren't expecting that.
 
[QUOTE=GB SISSON;. After 52 years of old ford trucks I run a strong 1/8" toe in and drive in the middle of the play with a light hand, often just a fingertip on the wheel. At the slightest wander I apply light pressure to correct and the truck stays neatly in the center.

I'm sure after many years of driving it is all automatic without any thought. It is just a built in reaction. I got a "kick" riding with my father-in-law as he drove a car like he was planting corn. Always moving the steering wheel to follow an imaginary line to make straight rows. He planted a lot of corn with a team of horses which may have contributed to his love of straight rows. LOL
 
Another thing to ponder is the type of tires you're running and on what types of roads. While I appreciate those who want to run bias-ply tires for an "original/traditional" look, they will naturally wonder a lot more than almost any modern radial tire - especially on any sort of grooved highway. There are "bias-ply looking" radial tires that many of us use and they make a world of difference on our modern highways at higher speeds. Also, they corner and brake a lot better.
 
34fordy said:
I'm sure after many years of driving it is all automatic without any thought. It is just a built in reaction. I got a "kick" riding with my father-in-law as he drove a car like he was planting corn. Always moving the steering wheel to follow an imaginary line to make straight rows. He planted a lot of corn with a team of horses which may have contributed to his love of straight rows. LOL
Click to expand...

That's funny!

I have a few motorcycles. One a BMW has an articulated Flexit sidecar. At low speeds , starting out, it wanders back and forth a bit. Some days I'll ride back to the house and get on another bike. When I start out I inadvertently, "wooble it" a bit :-)
It's all about muscle-brain memory where we make moves automatically without be consciously aware of it.

Glenn
 
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