The Ford Barn

Pat Martone · 07-07-2013, 03:54 PM

This not a concern, but simply an inquiry.
My steering, handling, and stability on the road are great, even at high speeds; in fact, I don't see how my front end could perform better.
However, I seem to have about 1-inch of "play" in the steering wheel before the front wheels begin to move; my shortened pitman arm is tight to the steering box, and the other parts of the front end do not seem to have any "slop" or "play".
I was just wondering if 1-inch of "play" is the goal, or if in a perfect steering box and front end, there would be less than 1-inch of play?
Thanks in advance for your information.

marc hildebrant · 07-07-2013, 04:03 PM

Pat,

I have about 1 inch of play...maybe a little less.

Rebuilt steering box and a good steering system.

I found that I could get less than the 1 inch value if I had "tightness" at the steering extremes, so I kept it at 1 inch.

The car steers O.K. and is fine on most roads.

Marc

Rock Hornbuckle · 07-07-2013, 04:45 PM

I got mine to 7/8th, but it took much fine tuning, and everything was rebuilt.

Mike V. Florida · 07-07-2013, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Martone

... in a perfect steering box and front end, there would be less than 1-inch of play?
.

Yes, everything back to spec would leave little to no play.

Mitch//pa · 07-07-2013, 04:51 PM

i just redid the box on the lucy restoration i am doing now. i used the needle bearing sector housing with seal, replaced the worm and sector, and new bearings cost me close to 400 for parts.. i was able to set it up with virtually no play at all.

Kurt in NJ · 07-07-2013, 05:11 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Mine is about 3/4", been 25 years since adjustment, was about 1/2" when it was freshly adjusted

columbiA · 07-07-2013, 05:56 PM

3/4"to1" is perfectly fine.Its not modern rack & pinion steering.When I rebuilt my 2-tooth steering 14,000 miles ago,Ihad sector hsg bored for needle brgs & modern lip type seal .Also had sector hsg machined back .140" for a Torrington needle thrust brg.The worm & sector were good.Total cost for parts was around$50.I ended up with super easy steering & around 3/4" steering play.I also shortened the P-arm & installed teflon ball seats & welded in new steering balls.I wouldnt trade it for an F-100 unit,thats for sure!Now days short P-arms are available from the vendors & you should also get the exchange steering arms.I trust my own welding but nobody elses.I used the same oil in s-box as in trans & R-E anhave not added any since.I also used the lower plate with the the tube to keep oil out of the lite switch.

RHD · 07-07-2013, 06:41 PM

With a fully restored 2 tooth box there should be zero play at the straight ahead position. To me, anything less is unacceptable.

Purdy Swoft · 07-07-2013, 06:50 PM

Pat , If you remove the shortened pitman arm and replace it with a perfect original pitman arm you will lose most if not all of the slack at the center. The shortened pitman arm does add some play at the center. I prefer the shortened pitman and use them on all of mine. For the ease of steering that the shortened pitman arm gives, I can live with the small amount of play.

peters180a/170b · 07-07-2013, 06:57 PM

rebuilt every part...As the steering wheel moves so does the front tires. Maybe a hair size loss.

Pat Martone · 07-07-2013, 07:41 PM

Thank you for the helpful replies.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-07-2013, 08:58 PM

Pat, I was able to adjust Minerva's to NO play, it darted around TOO easy, since it had NO "hunting" room for normal corrections that we make unconsciously to compensate for changing road surfaces, etc. Re-adjusted to give it a little play & it drove perfectly. Bill W.

spike · 07-07-2013, 09:08 PM

I just got done doing 3 boxes and adjusted and adjusted and the best I could get was about 1 in with a shorten pitman arm. If you get zero you wont be able to hold it in your lane and be all over the road....good luck

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-07-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

I just got done doing 3 boxes and adjusted and adjusted and the best I could get was about 1 in with a shorten pitman arm. If you get zero you wont be able to hold it in your lane and be all over the road....good luck

You're GOOD, Spike, you said it in one short sentence. Bill W.

1931 flamingo · 07-08-2013, 10:37 AM

I wonder how many are driving around with much more than 1"??
Paul in CT

Mitch//pa · 07-08-2013, 10:56 AM

i checked my newly rebuilt box today it has 1/8th-1/4 free play from steering wheel to pitman arm at sector

Arlen · 07-09-2013, 01:03 AM

I know in car judging, they do a safety check of the car. I believe 2 inches is the max amount they allow. I'm betting a very large percentage of A's out there have 2 or more inches but those are the same cars with no fluid in the steering box and brakes that won't stop the car etc.

07-07-2013, 03:54 PM	#1
Pat Martone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 495	Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? This not a concern, but simply an inquiry. My steering, handling, and stability on the road are great, even at high speeds; in fact, I don't see how my front end could perform better. However, I seem to have about 1-inch of "play" in the steering wheel before the front wheels begin to move; my shortened pitman arm is tight to the steering box, and the other parts of the front end do not seem to have any "slop" or "play". I was just wondering if 1-inch of "play" is the goal, or if in a perfect steering box and front end, there would be less than 1-inch of play? Thanks in advance for your information.

07-07-2013, 04:03 PM	#2
marc hildebrant Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,128	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? Pat, I have about 1 inch of play...maybe a little less. Rebuilt steering box and a good steering system. I found that I could get less than the 1 inch value if I had "tightness" at the steering extremes, so I kept it at 1 inch. The car steers O.K. and is fine on most roads. Marc

07-07-2013, 04:45 PM	#3
Rock Hornbuckle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Noxon Montana Posts: 532	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? I got mine to 7/8th, but it took much fine tuning, and everything was rebuilt. __________________ '31 Fordor Deluxe 2W Briggs 170-B / blackwalls '41 Fordor Deluxe / 2-duece flattie '66 1/2 Dodge Charger '14 100th Anniversary Challenger Limited Edition. Semper Fidelis

07-07-2013, 04:51 PM	#5
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? i just redid the box on the lucy restoration i am doing now. i used the needle bearing sector housing with seal, replaced the worm and sector, and new bearings cost me close to 400 for parts.. i was able to set it up with virtually no play at all.

07-07-2013, 05:11 PM	#6
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mine is about 3/4", been 25 years since adjustment, was about 1/2" when it was freshly adjusted

07-07-2013, 05:56 PM	#7
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? 3/4"to1" is perfectly fine.Its not modern rack & pinion steering.When I rebuilt my 2-tooth steering 14,000 miles ago,Ihad sector hsg bored for needle brgs & modern lip type seal .Also had sector hsg machined back .140" for a Torrington needle thrust brg.The worm & sector were good.Total cost for parts was around$50.I ended up with super easy steering & around 3/4" steering play.I also shortened the P-arm & installed teflon ball seats & welded in new steering balls.I wouldnt trade it for an F-100 unit,thats for sure!Now days short P-arms are available from the vendors & you should also get the exchange steering arms.I trust my own welding but nobody elses.I used the same oil in s-box as in trans & R-E anhave not added any since.I also used the lower plate with the the tube to keep oil out of the lite switch.

07-07-2013, 06:41 PM	#8
RHD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 670	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? With a fully restored 2 tooth box there should be zero play at the straight ahead position. To me, anything less is unacceptable. __________________ R.H.D. Author of Model 'A' Ford technical manuals. Supplier of good original RHD parts.

07-07-2013, 06:50 PM	#9
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? Pat , If you remove the shortened pitman arm and replace it with a perfect original pitman arm you will lose most if not all of the slack at the center. The shortened pitman arm does add some play at the center. I prefer the shortened pitman and use them on all of mine. For the ease of steering that the shortened pitman arm gives, I can live with the small amount of play.

07-07-2013, 06:57 PM	#10
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? rebuilt every part...As the steering wheel moves so does the front tires. Maybe a hair size loss.

07-07-2013, 07:41 PM	#11
Pat Martone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 495	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? Thank you for the helpful replies.

07-07-2013, 08:58 PM	#12
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? Pat, I was able to adjust Minerva's to NO play, it darted around TOO easy, since it had NO "hunting" room for normal corrections that we make unconsciously to compensate for changing road surfaces, etc. Re-adjusted to give it a little play & it drove perfectly. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-07-2013, 09:08 PM	#13
spike Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jackson Michigan Posts: 245	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? I just got done doing 3 boxes and adjusted and adjusted and the best I could get was about 1 in with a shorten pitman arm. If you get zero you wont be able to hold it in your lane and be all over the road....good luck

07-08-2013, 10:37 AM	#15
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? I wonder how many are driving around with much more than 1"?? Paul in CT

07-08-2013, 10:56 AM	#16
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? i checked my newly rebuilt box today it has 1/8th-1/4 free play from steering wheel to pitman arm at sector

07-09-2013, 01:03 AM	#17
Arlen Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 524	Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved? I know in car judging, they do a safety check of the car. I believe 2 inches is the max amount they allow. I'm betting a very large percentage of A's out there have 2 or more inches but those are the same cars with no fluid in the steering box and brakes that won't stop the car etc. __________________ DMAFC