The Ford Barn

VOH · 07-07-2023, 10:39 PM

I have been tearing into the ‘47 panel, and one of the things I noticed was the steering to the right seemed short (just a turn or so and it would stop). I noticed yesterday the pitman arm was hitting the leaf spring. I knew this wasn’t right, and after Watching some different videos tonight, it dawned on me that many of the F1 pitman arms are thru the frame. Was that the case on the 1947 Trucks as well?

I am aware the big U-bolt isn’t normal, but without looking close, I thought
It was a helper for weakened frame mounting holes.

petehoovie · 07-07-2023, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VOH

I have been tearing into the ‘47 panel, and one of the things I noticed was the steering to the right seemed short (just a turn or so and it would stop). I noticed yesterday the pitman arm was hitting the leaf spring. I knew this wasn’t right, and after Watching some different videos tonight, it dawned on me that many of the F1 pitman arms are thru the frame. Was that the case on the 1947 Trucks as well?

I am aware the big U-bolt isn’t normal, but without looking close, I thought
It was a helper for weakened frame mounting holes.

Ggmac · 07-08-2023, 11:30 AM

Possible to straighten the tie rod and readjust the drag link ? I had a 46 panel and unfortunately dont have any suspension pics and my memory isnt good .

meric42 · 07-08-2023, 06:31 PM

Just looking at the pictures, I suspect the Drag link might not be adjusted correctly? I have long since sold my '46/7 Panel and cannot remember the configuration, but it would be the same as a pickup, so someone with a pickup might be able to help. To my mind the pitman arm may be wrong or bent, the geometry of the steering just doesn't look correct to me.

VOH · 07-10-2023, 09:31 AM

So i have been digging some more. I understood the panel to be on a TRUCK frame, and considered a truck. Looking at pictures, it looks like the steering setup looks similar to that of the COMMERCIAL.

1) Is the 1/2 ton panel on the truck frame or a commercial frame?
2) Any idea how to verify the commercial axle vs truck axle?

petehoovie · 07-10-2023, 10:38 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by VOH

So i have been digging some more. I understood the panel to be on a TRUCK frame, and considered a truck. Looking at pictures, it looks like the steering setup looks similar to that of the COMMERCIAL.

1) Is the 1/2 ton panel on the truck frame or a commercial frame?
2) Any idea how to verify the commercial axle vs truck axle?

TJ · 07-10-2023, 12:26 PM

The steering is correct for your panel. Either the drag link is wrong or not adjusted properly or the pitman is on wrong or has the wrong pitman arm. It should not be hitting the spring.

VOH · 07-10-2023, 12:56 PM

Thank you TJ.

Flathead Fever · 07-10-2023, 11:38 PM

One thing is for sure, it has been this way for a long-long-time. Center the steering box and see which way the wheels are pointing. They should be straight if nothing is on wrong or bent. See how many turns of the wheel from center you have in each direction; they should be the same. The pitman arm could be on wrong. Some vehicles can only go on one way, a bunch of small splines and one large spline Others have four large splines and it's easy to put it on 90 degrees off. I used to mark the end of the shaft and the arm with punch marks, so I didn't need to use my brain when I put the trucks back together at work. In the beginning I tried using paint across the splines to match them back up but then I'd go to lunch, comeback and take the pitman arm to the solvent tank, forget and wash the paint mark off. I needed a new system like two punch marks that was idiot proof. I'm not sure if an out of adjustment drag link would let that pitman arm hit the spring, seems like the travel in the box would prevent it from going that far.

VOH · 07-12-2023, 12:29 PM

Few more pictures to add to the story.

Bob C · 07-12-2023, 03:10 PM

Only one support under the front axle, you should be safe and use two like this guy.

meric42 · 07-12-2023, 03:14 PM

It certainly seems to me that the drag link is too long on the adjustment. I suggest that you adjust the drag link so that the pitman arm is at the centre of its travel and as others have said, check that the pitman arm is fitted in the correct position. It should point straight forward with the steering box in the centre of its rotation. Disconnect the drag link, rotate the steering wheel from end to end then find the centre position, you should then see if the pitman arm points straight forward. If not then the pitman arm is not fitted correctly and needs to be resolved first, then adjust the drag link so the wheels are straight forward with the steering centred.

VOH · 07-12-2023, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Only one support under the front axle, you should be safe and use two like this guy.

Yes sir. Not gonna be under it at all with just one. But couldn’t get the engine hoist under there with two of them.

VOH · 12-19-2023, 10:32 AM

have the front end broke down to replace the kingpins and build it back. Is there a way to rebuild the passenger side of the drag link? One side is adjustable/replaceable, but the passenger side looks to be manufactured as a rod end.

deuce lover · 12-23-2023, 05:36 AM

Check with Fred at Southside Obsolete in MN.He might have a NOS.

deuce lover · 12-23-2023, 05:49 AM

There's a NOS one On Ebay
auction # 124717505966,$179

V8COOPMAN · 12-23-2023, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Check with Fred at Southside Obsolete in MN.He might have a NOS.

Many folks are not aware of who Fred Wilner is, but should REALLY get to know him! Fred goes by "barnfind08" as a longtime member here on the 'Barn. Fred has nine buildings full of NOS Ford parts and it is amazing how often he comes-through with some really oddball stuff. You can even PM Fred and he usually answers pronto!

Coop

Fred Wilner - ("barnfind08")
SOUTHSIDE OBSOLETE
7136 200th St E.
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 332-6789

pistonbroke · 12-23-2023, 08:49 PM

I'm with TJ I think your pitman arm is for a 41 and earlier. If my memory serves me right that pitman arm should just clear and pass under the lower edge of the frame rail when turning right. Also check that frame rail around the box as this was the first ladder frame light truck series ford made, and that was a trouble spot. I had to weld and reinforce my 42 1/2 ton before it would drive nice. Tim

VOH · 01-22-2024, 04:43 PM

I think I found one of the issues with the steering. It has a 48-3530 pitman arm on it.

VOH · 01-22-2024, 04:59 PM

The other thing that I found were some cracks around the bottom mounting hole of the steering box.
BoxMount1.jpg

BoxMount2.jpg

Should I take the whole inner frame boxing member out to clean, weld and paint or fix it in place? Of course, it would have to go back in with bolts and not rivets.

07-08-2023, 11:30 AM	#3
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,101	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering Possible to straighten the tie rod and readjust the drag link ? I had a 46 panel and unfortunately dont have any suspension pics and my memory isnt good .

07-08-2023, 06:31 PM	#4
meric42 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Blenheim, New Zealand Posts: 879	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering Just looking at the pictures, I suspect the Drag link might not be adjusted correctly? I have long since sold my '46/7 Panel and cannot remember the configuration, but it would be the same as a pickup, so someone with a pickup might be able to help. To my mind the pitman arm may be wrong or bent, the geometry of the steering just doesn't look correct to me. __________________ I need an 01A 1453 Brkt Spare wheel hold down for my sedan delivery - PLEASE HELP Gotta love my '42 Sedan Delivery's - Now that I own the only two in New Zealand https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=580

07-10-2023, 12:26 PM	#7
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering The steering is correct for your panel. Either the drag link is wrong or not adjusted properly or the pitman is on wrong or has the wrong pitman arm. It should not be hitting the spring.

07-10-2023, 12:56 PM	#8
VOH Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: New Braunfels, TEXAS Posts: 28	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering Thank you TJ.

07-10-2023, 11:38 PM	#9
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,095	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering One thing is for sure, it has been this way for a long-long-time. Center the steering box and see which way the wheels are pointing. They should be straight if nothing is on wrong or bent. See how many turns of the wheel from center you have in each direction; they should be the same. The pitman arm could be on wrong. Some vehicles can only go on one way, a bunch of small splines and one large spline Others have four large splines and it's easy to put it on 90 degrees off. I used to mark the end of the shaft and the arm with punch marks, so I didn't need to use my brain when I put the trucks back together at work. In the beginning I tried using paint across the splines to match them back up but then I'd go to lunch, comeback and take the pitman arm to the solvent tank, forget and wash the paint mark off. I needed a new system like two punch marks that was idiot proof. I'm not sure if an out of adjustment drag link would let that pitman arm hit the spring, seems like the travel in the box would prevent it from going that far.

07-12-2023, 03:14 PM	#12
meric42 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Blenheim, New Zealand Posts: 879	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering It certainly seems to me that the drag link is too long on the adjustment. I suggest that you adjust the drag link so that the pitman arm is at the centre of its travel and as others have said, check that the pitman arm is fitted in the correct position. It should point straight forward with the steering box in the centre of its rotation. Disconnect the drag link, rotate the steering wheel from end to end then find the centre position, you should then see if the pitman arm points straight forward. If not then the pitman arm is not fitted correctly and needs to be resolved first, then adjust the drag link so the wheels are straight forward with the steering centred. __________________ I need an 01A 1453 Brkt Spare wheel hold down for my sedan delivery - PLEASE HELP Gotta love my '42 Sedan Delivery's - Now that I own the only two in New Zealand https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=580

12-23-2023, 05:36 AM	#15
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,307	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering Check with Fred at Southside Obsolete in MN.He might have a NOS.

12-23-2023, 05:49 AM	#16
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,307	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering There's a NOS one On Ebay auction # 124717505966,$179

12-23-2023, 08:49 PM	#18
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 485	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering I'm with TJ I think your pitman arm is for a 41 and earlier. If my memory serves me right that pitman arm should just clear and pass under the lower edge of the frame rail when turning right. Also check that frame rail around the box as this was the first ladder frame light truck series ford made, and that was a trouble spot. I had to weld and reinforce my 42 1/2 ton before it would drive nice. Tim

01-22-2024, 04:59 PM	#20
VOH Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: New Braunfels, TEXAS Posts: 28	Re: 1947 Ford Panel Steering The other thing that I found were some cracks around the bottom mounting hole of the steering box. BoxMount1.jpg BoxMount2.jpg Should I take the whole inner frame boxing member out to clean, weld and paint or fix it in place? Of course, it would have to go back in with bolts and not rivets.