31 roadster steering question
 

:) Hi guys, getting ready to remove the body for sanding and paint , noticed the play in the steering as follows. when I turn the steering wheel the pitman arm moves maybe 1-4 to 3-8 in. before the drag link starts to move, way back about a year ago I installed new ball caps and spring , is there a way to tighten it up?. any help in this as always is greatly appreciated thanks THE HOOCH

Re: 31 roadster steering question
 

YES Follow steering gearbox adjustment in Ford service book or many
other sights like Tom Eddy's or Model A garage for help

Re: 31 roadster steering question
 

Snyder's sell model a ford service bulletins (BP-1) $36.95 The steps
to adjust steering gearbox are too lengthy to post and need to be followed
I adjusted my first one at age 17 following this book and had no problems
Just looked at Tom Endy's sight didn't see gearbox adjustment also ford garage didn't
see it Check out sticky at top of a forms long list of helpful sights GOOD READING !

Re: 31 roadster steering question
 

I think what you're saying is that the pitman ball is moving in the drag link ?

Have you tried tightening the spring a bit more ? STUFF wears and springs can compress over the years, or, maybe the spring has broken[ I've seen that happen].

Re: 31 roadster steering question
 

Even though someone put in ALL new parts, Vermin's pitman arm ball was SO loose, that it caused a bad shimmy! The re-pro spring was TOO SHORT!
Also, the "loading" of the parts in one end of the drag link is different & I "think" there's 1 additional part. Someone once posted an exploded view pic. Does someone have that pic? "Maybe" it's in some of the parts catalogs?
Bill W.

Re: 31 roadster steering question
 

You say replaced parts. Well, if parts were good , put back in proper sequence and adjustment was proper all should be fine. Since all is NOT fine, I'd start with adjustment first..just easy stuff first. There is a special BIG flat screw driver tool made/sold to make adjustment easier. You can make your own such tool. Now, the book will tell you what is considered proper tension. However, without book, I'd tighten it maybe a turn and see..trial/error, until slop removed. If this doesn't work, move on to take 'new' parts out for inspection.