front end specs for f1 ???
 

Anyone have front end specs for the 51 ford f1.. while driving the other day my truck began to shimmy so bad I almost lost control.:eek: everything is new and tight and I wonder if this is an alignment issue or what. looking for castor/camber/toe specs....

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

The first thing I would check is the toe in.

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

I had the same thing happen to me, thought it was a tie rod end. Turned out to be that the nut that holds the front hub on had not been tightened correctly by the previous owner.
Found that when we rmoved the hubs to check the bearings. Something to check first?

Mark

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

My 50 F1 had a shimmy so bad it was dangerous to drive, tapered shims added under the front springs did the trick. Seven degrees seems to ring a bell from 15 years ago. The kingpin should be tilted back at the top. Pete

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

ah Peterooster I was thinking of a way to add some caster ..great idea Thanks

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

I recall toe-in is supposed to be 0 - 1/16", the rest of the specs are in the manual.

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

I found some specs. Pete

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

I think you'll find Peterooster is right, the caster if off, need tappred shims between the axel and springs to tip the axel. Walt

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

Got the front end checked out today and found ......toe was 1/16 toed out caster was only 3 deg. camber .2 deg. positive... I think I can live with the camber. I got 2 tapered shims from my friend who helped me with the front alignment and now have 7.4 deg caster and corrected the toe to 1/16 toe in....What a diff it made ,so far no shimmy but Didn't drive it more than 50 or so miles today. I will see more miles as I plan another long road trip next weekend. Thanks to all who posted there comments...John

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

In the 70's I put Berry and Chung 13 inch mag wheels on the front of my F1 (15's on the back) and it shimmered terribly at 30 mph. On advice I mucked around with the toe in/out and with shims to alter the castor, all of which did nothing - turned out the wheels were badly out of balance. I suggest you check this first.

Re: front end specs for f1 ???
 

the balance checked good but thanks 49r