Post to the EFV-8 Forum
Post Classified Ads
Shop the Online Store

User Login

Not Registered Yet? Click Here to Sign Up!

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

FORUM RULES: Users agree to these Rules when using Forum.

The site administrator reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the user agreement without prior notice to the user. It is the responsibility of the user to regularly review the terms of this agreement.

The user agrees to the following terms:

All information that you provide to us for your membership is correct.
You will not use your membership to spam, harrass, or exploit other members in any way.
Vulgar, Abusive, Racist and Sexist Language will not be tolerated.
Commercial-type sales postings will not be allowed.
No mass posting or flooding of the boards is allowed.
No Advertising of parts or cars; no Ebay or business/commercial ads (please use the "Classified" for ads Wanted or For Sale).
VIEWING MULTIPLE TOPICS ON SCREEN: You can choose to see more than 10 Topics at a time ... Log In and choose "Preferences" from the top bar on the Forum page. Scroll down and Change the "Default Topics Returned" parameter to 25 or 50, and save the changes. Since this setting is stored in your browser 'cookies' (if enabled), it seems to use that stored value even if you are not logged in. So, if you use a PC that you haven't logged into the forum from, the setting still seem to remain at the default.
EXTERNAL PHOTO LINKS ON FORUM: You can still use external photo links in your posts on the new forum. They follow the rules of any link in that they have to have the URL link qualified down to the full image file name (example: .jpg). The links will open in a new browser window, the same as an uploaded image attached to a post. Since an image attachment to any post does not display inline with the post, the results are the same. You can use multiple external links within a post. This link is from photos on a site from Don Clink's 'Deuce@75' albums:

http://donclink.com/deuce_75_1/images/dscn2950.jpg

Using links from photo sites such as Photobucket can help in "size" issue with uploaded attachment files. For best viewing in web browsers, photos should be around the 800x600 pixel range, and probably not more than 1024x768. Most cameras today store HUGE jpg image files, as the default settings are in the 7, 8, 10, and 12Mb image sizes. The image files that are then attached are very large, and the browser can't display the full image size without using the scroll bars. Use the re-sizing functions of your photo editing software to reduce the image to 800x600, which reduces the file sixe and the image load time in the browser. Don uses Google's free Picassa3 software, which is an excellent photo management product. All of the photo albums of the Deuce, Grand National, and Auburn that are links on the NORG site were built using Picassa's web creation functions. And it's free? (THANKS to Don Clink for the info!)
HOW DO I SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH MY USERNAME? You can LogIn on the Forum, and select PREFERENCES. On this page Members can add optional information such as their City,State, Country; Occupation; Hobbies: list a Homepage; list AOL Instant Messanger Handle; Signature; "Make Email Address viewable to others;" and even change the number of Default Topics shown on a page. WHEN others click on your profile, they will see this information.

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / '40 steering box problem

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion

<< previous || next >>

Posted By

Discussion Topic: '40 steering box problem

Flatbob

11-14-2014 @ 8:36 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009

Got a '40 steering gear box in my '36, turns much easier now but steering wheel doesn't return to center on its own after exiting corner. The pitman arm has about 3/16" end play left to right, is this too much? The box has been completely rebuilt with a new NOS sector shaft as well. How do I check the up & down end play with steering in the car and what amount of end play should I have? Am using straight Corn Head grease, is this okay?

11-14-2014 @ 9:55 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 823
Joined: Oct 2009

Nothing wrong with using JD Corn Head Grease as box lube. Sounds like you need to adjust mesh of worm and sector gears. There should be some on-line instructions on how this is done. Check Mac VanPelts website or maybe the 32-53 Ford Flathead Techno site. Google is your friend for finding these websites.

Edit: I could not find anything on '37-'48 steering box adjustment on the Flathead Ford Techno website. I thought for sure there would be something.
I did find some info on VanPelt's website....
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_steerngear_adjstmt1937-48.htm

John

This message was edited by JM on 11-14-14 @ 3:38 PM

Flatbob

11-14-2014 @ 11:08 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009

Thanks John, will explore the avenues you suggest.

carcrazy

11-14-2014 @ 1:15 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 1667
Joined: Oct 2009

If the steering wheel does not return to the straight ahead position when it is released after a turn, you may want to have your front end alignment checked. The specifications for a 1940 Ford call for 4 1/2 to 9 degrees of positive caster. Generally the less caster you have the slower the wheel will be to return to center. More caster will require more effort to turn the wheel into a turn.

Flatbob

11-14-2014 @ 1:48 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009

I've got 9.5° of caster, would not enough toe in be reason enough for steering wheel not to center itself?

kubes40

11-14-2014 @ 2:12 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 3406
Joined: Oct 2009

"Toe-in" has perhaps the most to do with the wheels returning to the straight ahead position.
Granted, my restorations are rarely driven but I alawys set the toe-in at the maximum. I t truly does aid in reducing the effort required to return to the straight ahead position.
If you have 9 1/2° of caster, that is certainly not the issue here.
You may, as has been suggested, want to double check the adjustment on the gear box.
And, I too feel that JD corn head grease is a great lubricant choice.

Flatbob

11-14-2014 @ 8:52 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009

Am going to look at the amount of toe-in a little closer; from the front of the car would you rotate the tie rod towards you or away from you to move the tires in?

Flatbob

11-14-2014 @ 8:55 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009

JM thanks, that's just what I was looking for.

<< previous || next >>

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

Merchandise Questions

Membership Questions