41 FORD Steering Box Question

[19Fordy]

A friend of mine has a 41 Ford car with newly rebuilt tie rods ends, drag link and all the other related steering components. The steering box was not rebuilt. The problem is that when driving the car it sometimes feels like the steering "just isn't there" and the car isn't in contact with the road. When this happens the car will suddenly dart to the right or left without any warning. This is really a problem in traffic. Will a worn out steering box or a steering box that needs adjustment cause this problem? Opinions are welcome. Thanks, Jim

 

[c334charlie]

Yes lots of play in the steering box can cause wandering add bias ply tires and it can be scary .

 

[johnny]

Was a proper alignment done on the vehicle what were the alignment readings. It sounds as if you have a bent steering arm ,you are getting a condition called bump steer. Johnny.

 

[TJ]

Did he replace the kingpins and bushings? If so did he have the bushings reamed for the proper fit? I had a similar problem. I did not go to a machine shop and reamed them with a ream that I had at home. The old hand reamers tend to leave high spots on the bushings and it causes the same effect on the steering. I removed the spindles and had them properly reamed at a machine shop for a "press fit" for the pins and that solved the steering problem.