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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Wheel Shimmy - Loose Steering Wheel

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Discussion Topic: Wheel Shimmy - Loose Steering Wheel -- page: 1 2

37RAGTOPMAN

06-08-2010 @ 5:03 AM

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When you had a ground up restoration you should have a bill ,ON what Exactly was Done,
a list of parts that was replaced,
did they replace the king pins, tierods end,draglink,
rebuild steering box,or just ajust steering box,
a bad sector shaft bushing and rock to the pitman arm will add to shimmy,
it straight ahead position how much play in steering from side to side,,???
rebuilt shocks, shock links, wheel alignment,?
also loose wheel bearing will effect the front end,and will not get a accurate wheel alignment with loose ones,
it could be what super said,
the tires from just sitting get flat spots, and will shake the car for a few miles before they smooth out,
KEEP ON TRUCKIN 37 RAGTOPMAN

trjford8

06-06-2010 @ 7:59 AM

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In addition to all the other good advice check the wishbone where it attaches at the center crossmember. Make sure the cap is tight. Also check to see if the rubber cover for the wishbone ball is in good shape. A lose cap or misssing/damaged ball will add to the problem.

shogun1940

06-05-2010 @ 6:17 PM

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when your checking the sterring box, put the wheels straight ahead, then loosen the nut on the top there should be a screw to tightnen up the steering, tightnen it up then backoff ahalf aturn, then just snug up the screw easily hold it and tighnen up the nut. Now check the pitman arm it shoulbe even with the tie rod that connects the two wheels, the arc has to be even or you will get bump steer good luck

supereal

06-05-2010 @ 11:15 AM

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One final thought: Be sure that the steering box is fastened securely to the frame, particularly if the body-off restoration required lowering the steering column. My '47 had a loose steering problem, and after much head scratching, I found that loose steering box bolts allowed the box to wiggle on the frame.

supereal

06-05-2010 @ 11:02 AM

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Here is the steering gear. The diagram is actually for a '37, but it is similar to your '39.

supereal

06-05-2010 @ 10:54 AM

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Here it is.

39Fordfan

06-05-2010 @ 10:52 AM

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Great thanks to you Super. I don't have the green book you mentioned. If its not too much trouble to scan it and post it, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

supereal

06-05-2010 @ 10:46 AM

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There is a full diagram of your front axle and related parts on page 75 of the "green book". If you don't have one, I can scan and post it for you. To get at the nut that holds the steering wheel, you have to drop the switch body at the lower end of the column and remove the horseshoe shaped "keeper" at the end that fits in a groove. The horn rod can then we withdrawn enough to get at the nut. In many cases, the nut is loose because someone stripped the fine threads on the shaft by overtightening or cross threading. Replacing the shaft is an extensive (and expensive) proposition., so we hope it is just loose.

39Fordfan

06-05-2010 @ 10:14 AM

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Thanks for your replies... I will start looking into the wheel shimmy issue. Is there a place where I can see a schematic or a model drawing of this steering system?

As for the loose steering wheel, how do I take the horn button and light switch off to either install or tighten the nut at the end of the shaft? Any tips?

This message was edited by 39Fordfan on 6-5-10 @ 10:17 AM

ford38v8

06-05-2010 @ 10:12 AM

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39Fordfan, It sounds like your restorer did a cosmetic restoration on your chassis, assembling without regard to correct setup. You obviously didn't get what you paid for, but forget about getting any reimbursement from him after three years.

Take your car to a competent shop to have your steering gone over top to bottom. As TomO suggests, also have your tires balanced. '36-'39 wheel adapters are available through a Vendor in V8 Times.

Fords are not the only vehicles prone to shimmy, not by a long shot. Any high mileage car or motorcycle can develop shimmy, and as Super says, it can continue until you come to a complete stop... hopefully not too suddenly!

Alan

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