1956 ford steering float
- Thread starter nix1934
- Start date
nascardave
Member
It would help to be a little more descriptive on the terminology Floating. Do you mean car to be uncontrollable? wondering from side to side on highway? All these things would help. Please explain what new parts you have installed, other than tie rods and motor, if any.
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
If you are using radial tires you can't go by the book. My understanding is that the Caster/camber adjustment is opposite of what is called for in the original specs if you have Radials, but then after re-adjusting, you also need to redo the "toe-in" adjustments.
And if you are not doing your own adjustments, you can't just drop it off at a shop because they will probably just go by the original specs. You need to gain knowledge of exactly what is required and tell them what the adjustment parameters would be on the caster/camber.
There's lots of people in this forum who probably know the measurements in degrees for radial tires right off the top o their heads.
And if you are not doing your own adjustments, you can't just drop it off at a shop because they will probably just go by the original specs. You need to gain knowledge of exactly what is required and tell them what the adjustment parameters would be on the caster/camber.
There's lots of people in this forum who probably know the measurements in degrees for radial tires right off the top o their heads.
JeffB2
Well-known member
Maybe call Dave here and get one of his sway bars I think they are 1 1/8" http://www.dropnstop.com/home.html Guys in my 1952-59 Ford Group have posted very positive results after installing.
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40cpe
Well-known member
I have a '55 with a saginaw 605 integral box. It was built /installed by someone else and everything was new in the steering except the idler arm and it had slack in it. It drove terrible until I replaced the idler. I also put spacers in the pump relief valve to lower the pump pressure. It is much better, but I plan to have 4 or 5 degrees of caster put in it.
The problem now is I can't feel either side of neutral in the steering on the highway, like there is too much assist in the steering. Normally you would feel a little resistance in the steering when changing from the straight-ahead position. If I get it going straight and hold the wheel steady, it runs true but it feels like it needs castor to track straight on its own.
I hope someone can give the changes from stock settings to compensate for radials and integral power steering.
The problem now is I can't feel either side of neutral in the steering on the highway, like there is too much assist in the steering. Normally you would feel a little resistance in the steering when changing from the straight-ahead position. If I get it going straight and hold the wheel steady, it runs true but it feels like it needs castor to track straight on its own.
I hope someone can give the changes from stock settings to compensate for radials and integral power steering.
KULTULZ
Well-known member
Adding a power box and replacing the original P/S on an early FORD should not change front end geometry.
What does change is the use of radial tires.
As said previously, you cannot MIDASIZE here. You need to find a quality knowledgeable shop or high performance shop.
______________________________________
STEERING TROUBLESHOOTING
Power Steering Pressure
GM power steering pumps will produce up to 1,500 PSI. We recommend 1,200 PSI for steering box applications and 800–900 PSI for Mustang rack & pinions. If a pump is generating too much pressure for the rack or box you are using, the steering will be over assisted resulting in twitchy steering at speed.
This can be corrected by adjusting the pumps internal pressure valve. To properly adjust this pressure order part #899001-Pressure Reducing Kit.
Road Wander:
Vehicle wanders left/right without any definite input from the steering wheel requiring constant small correction to drive straight.
• Low or unequal tire pressure.
• Steering linkage from column to box or rack loose or worn
• Front-end alignment out of specification. (Inadequate positive Caster)
• Steering box or rack worn or out of adjustment
• Steering tie rod ends worn or loose
No Recovery or Return to Center:
Vehicle fails to return to center after a turn or requires steering input to return to center.
• Binding of steering linkage or components
• Front-end alignment out of specification. (Inadequate positive Caster)
• Steering box or rack improperly adjusted.
Over-steering / Darting:
Vehicle over steers and is overly sensitive to all steering wheel input requiring constant correction.
• Excessive P/S pump pressure / mismatched components.
• Steering linkage from column to box or rack loose or worn
• Steering box or rack worn or out of adjustment
Lost motion at steering wheel:
Excessive free play felt in the steering wheel before the wheels begin to turn.
• Steering linkage from column to box or rack loose or worn
• Steering box or rack worn or out of adjustment
• Steering tie rod ends worn or loose
• Steering gear loose on frame
High Steering Effort in both directions:
An abnormal amount of force is required to turn the wheels in both directions.
• Low tire pressure
• Low P/S fluid level
• Insufficient P/S pump pressure and flow
• Excessive P/S fluid temperature
• Binding of steering linkage or components
Intermittent / Loss of power steering
After servicing the P/S system you experience either a loss of power steering or intermittent assist.
• Low P/S fluid level
• P/S Belt broken or slipping
• Air trapped in the P/S system
• Dirt or contaminants trapped in the P/S pump bypass valve
SOURCE- http://borgeson.com/Images/100th_Catalog.pdf
Changing To Radial Tires-
Most Factory Settings
(bias ply tires)
0.5 Negative Camber
0.5 To 1.0 Positive Caster
0.24 Toe-In
Good Street Performance Settings
(radial tires)
0.5 Negative Camber
3.5 TO 4.5 Positive Caster
0.10 Toe-In
SOURCE- http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/cha...gnment-basics/
What does change is the use of radial tires.
As said previously, you cannot MIDASIZE here. You need to find a quality knowledgeable shop or high performance shop.
______________________________________
STEERING TROUBLESHOOTING
Power Steering Pressure
GM power steering pumps will produce up to 1,500 PSI. We recommend 1,200 PSI for steering box applications and 800–900 PSI for Mustang rack & pinions. If a pump is generating too much pressure for the rack or box you are using, the steering will be over assisted resulting in twitchy steering at speed.
This can be corrected by adjusting the pumps internal pressure valve. To properly adjust this pressure order part #899001-Pressure Reducing Kit.
Road Wander:
Vehicle wanders left/right without any definite input from the steering wheel requiring constant small correction to drive straight.
• Low or unequal tire pressure.
• Steering linkage from column to box or rack loose or worn
• Front-end alignment out of specification. (Inadequate positive Caster)
• Steering box or rack worn or out of adjustment
• Steering tie rod ends worn or loose
No Recovery or Return to Center:
Vehicle fails to return to center after a turn or requires steering input to return to center.
• Binding of steering linkage or components
• Front-end alignment out of specification. (Inadequate positive Caster)
• Steering box or rack improperly adjusted.
Over-steering / Darting:
Vehicle over steers and is overly sensitive to all steering wheel input requiring constant correction.
• Excessive P/S pump pressure / mismatched components.
• Steering linkage from column to box or rack loose or worn
• Steering box or rack worn or out of adjustment
Lost motion at steering wheel:
Excessive free play felt in the steering wheel before the wheels begin to turn.
• Steering linkage from column to box or rack loose or worn
• Steering box or rack worn or out of adjustment
• Steering tie rod ends worn or loose
• Steering gear loose on frame
High Steering Effort in both directions:
An abnormal amount of force is required to turn the wheels in both directions.
• Low tire pressure
• Low P/S fluid level
• Insufficient P/S pump pressure and flow
• Excessive P/S fluid temperature
• Binding of steering linkage or components
Intermittent / Loss of power steering
After servicing the P/S system you experience either a loss of power steering or intermittent assist.
• Low P/S fluid level
• P/S Belt broken or slipping
• Air trapped in the P/S system
• Dirt or contaminants trapped in the P/S pump bypass valve
SOURCE- http://borgeson.com/Images/100th_Catalog.pdf
Changing To Radial Tires-
Most Factory Settings
(bias ply tires)
0.5 Negative Camber
0.5 To 1.0 Positive Caster
0.24 Toe-In
Good Street Performance Settings
(radial tires)
0.5 Negative Camber
3.5 TO 4.5 Positive Caster
0.10 Toe-In
SOURCE- http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/cha...gnment-basics/
KULTULZ
Well-known member
The below notation is included in the instruction sheet-
Now what I am wondering when retro-fitting a SAGINAW link style OEM PS car, do they say anywhere the steering linkage must be converted to MAUAL STEERING linkage?
INSTRUCTION SHEET - http://borgeson.com/instructions/800115.pdf
I don't see it...
Now what I am wondering when retro-fitting a SAGINAW link style OEM PS car, do they say anywhere the steering linkage must be converted to MAUAL STEERING linkage?
INSTRUCTION SHEET - http://borgeson.com/instructions/800115.pdf
I don't see it...
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