Front End Frustrations

jdupay

jdupay

Member
Hi everyone. I have learned so much reading this forum, I now have a question. I have a 29 standard coupe that we inherited from my wife's grandfather. I knew nothing about A's prior to working on this car.

I have totally redone the front end - long list of stuff (kings pins, spindles, replaced all brake rods front to back, put on floaters (Ted's) etc. Not mention having an engine rebuild, redoing electrical radiator .... whew....

Anyway it all looked good except I was having trouble with wobble that I think was either worn pitman arm ball, loose spindle nuts, or improperly set bearings/axle nut. Now after dealing with all of those things, it appears to me that my front wheels don't have equal camber. Caster was checked and seems OK. Toe in was set to about 1/16". What impacts camber? It was storming tonight so I didn't get it out to see if wobble was gone, but just visual inspection of camber has me concerned I messed something up. Mind you, I didn't seem to see this camber issue right after I rebuilt the front end. How could I have messed it up - what is messed up? :confused:

Thanks!
 
Look for prior threads that deal with setting and checking camber. Others with more knowledge than I will also help. Welcome to the Barn !!
 
Camber, Caster & toe in are the three things which are aligned in automobile front ends.

Toe in is the only one of these you can effectively adjust.

Well, you can affect caster slightly by adjusting where the radius rods hit the lower flywheel housing. Those pesky cast iron housings and rubber ball radius rod attachments will increase caster. Some think this averse, others (myself included) didn't notice much difference.

Camber is how much the wheels are "out" at the top compared to the bottom. This is built into your axle and is the one thing you cannot adjust without resorting to straightening the axle.

If you have replaced everything you can do - and it sounds like you have - then you probably will not have a problem with wobble.

Also, check your wheels. Model A wheels can get "out of round" and also can be round radially but wobbling side to side axially. There has been much thought and club intelligence to having "group straightening sessions" for Model A wheels - usually one member has devised a method to straighten wheels and is quick to share with his Model A friends.

Some wheels can't be straightened though.

Just like in real cars. (lol)

I think you'll find your wobble issues cured.

Joe K
 
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Also heck your lug nuts and wheel bearings for tightness. You may also adjust the steering. Grab a copy of les Andrews books for guidance.
Mike

Ps welcome to the barn.
 
Be sure to check the ball on the wishbone, if it has the rubber style they get loose and you will have a nasty wobble. If that is the case go back to the original solid style.
 
You might also check for a bent spindle. It looks the same as a bent axle from the front. Found this on mine when the right front tire started to wear badly on the outside edge. Straight ahead it added a couple of degrees to the right wheel.
Didn't help the brakes either as the drum was then crooked on the shoes. I could easily see the difference in space between the drum and backing plate.
 
The axle tends to bend from spring perch point. They can also twist some.

So a good hit may change the axle some. Worse if you axle was heated once to get the perch loose then it will be much much softer.

It fixes easy when it is off the car in a 10 ton press.

front axle straghtening
 
Ron Lachniet said:
Be sure to check the ball on the wishbone, if it has the rubber style they get loose and you will have a nasty wobble. If that is the case go back to the original solid style.
Click to expand...

Checked. Original style, ball looks good, checked caster and looks to be right about the 1" suggested by Les's book.
 
1930artdeco said:
Also heck your lug nuts and wheel bearings for tightness. You may also adjust the steering. Grab a copy of les Andrews books for guidance.
Mike

Ps welcome to the barn.
Click to expand...

Thanks! The barn is a great resource. I hope I can help someone someday. So far, I just come here and learn stuff.... Les's book is my Model A bible, need a new copy since it has so much grease on it :o. I did set up the bearings per his suggestions. I will have to go back and review what he says about lugs. Figured a lug was a lug.....
 
V4F said:
recheck tow-in ........
Click to expand...

1/16" just about dead on....but I am planning to put on some new tires, so I will re-check it after that is done. Mine are pretty old and side walls are pretty cracked and one is a constant leaker....
 
bettlesr said:
You might also check for a bent spindle. It looks the same as a bent axle from the front. Found this on mine when the right front tire started to wear badly on the outside edge. Straight ahead it added a couple of degrees to the right wheel.
Didn't help the brakes either as the drum was then crooked on the shoes. I could easily see the difference in space between the drum and backing plate.
Click to expand...

Thanks. When I re-built the front end (King pins and such) the attachment point balls were somewhat worn, so I put on new spindles at that time. Followed Les's book to put it all back together, so I think that is OK. I can't see the backing plate, but it seems to me like the bottom of the drum is a little further from the backing plate than the top. Normal? :confused:
 
Kevin in NJ said:
The axle tends to bend from spring perch point. They can also twist some.

So a good hit may change the axle some. Worse if you axle was heated once to get the perch loose then it will be much much softer.

It fixes easy when it is off the car in a 10 ton press.

front axle straghtening
Click to expand...

I am guessing there must be some bend to it. When I rebuilt the front end the original drag link was bent - I am guessing it took a hit at some point. This might be the root of my camber issue....unfortunately I do not have 10 ton press....I am also not too excited about the idea of tearing the whole front end apart again....:eek: So how much is too much????
 
If you're sure the camber is off, look for a HD truck repair shop or alignment shop, they can correct it. FWIW
Paul in CT


Also, after you install the tires, drive it, it's possible the tires are at fault if the camber is OK.
 
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