We're working on a '39 Ford ( 1/2 ton Commercial) with a Flathead, manual ******. mostly stock. The steering effort required to drive it is more than this old guy can handle. There seems to be binding in the column-maybe the upper bushing. Trying to contact the guy that makes the bearing setup but no luck yet. On the lift, with the front end off the ground, the truck turns really easy. No binding anywhere that we can see. With the weight on the front axle, it's a chore. Any ideas? There is oil in the steering box and the king pins and suspension look great.
'39 Truck with hard steering
- Thread starter TNDoug
- Start date
I have a 39 P/U and at 84 I don't have any problem with steering it.
My truck even has larger tires. They will all turn hard if the truck isn't
moving. G.M.
alanwoodieman
Well-known member
as for upper bearing--go to hardware store and purchase a wheelbarrow wheel bearing for a 3/4" shaft--it will have a flange on one side. screw too long sheetmetal screws into the old rubber bushing and pull it out, may have to clean up inside of steering column with some sandpaper or scotchbrite or even an old straight blade knife. do trial fit and make sure it will go over the shaft and into the column, use some super glue or other glue and push bearing down the shaft and allow it to bottom out on the flange, I use a short rubber spacer made out of a radiator hose above the bearing below the steering wheel
FlatheadTed
Well-known member
The King bearing should be under the axle not on top .Lower the tyres onto the outer bearings of two front brake drums sitting flat on the ground ,they will pivot on them and you can check as JSeery said .Ted
