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34Pietenpol · 12-12-2019, 05:54 AM

Built a Toe-In Tool, set the correct toe in and safetied all the plugs. I found several issues while investigating the steering. First indication was when I noticed the right front tire had worn completely out in about 700 miles. Toe in turned out to be over 1.25 inches even with the tie rod screwed completely in. Also found the tie rod plugs without cotter pins and backed nearly fully out. The pitman arm was so loose on its square steering arm that I could move it a quarter inch. Fixed the safety stuff, shortened the tie rod enough to get proper toe in. Test ride was a huge difference. This may be wishful thinking but the rolling friction was much less. She ran easily up to 50 mph where before it was a push to get to 45. Not that I will run at 50 but it’s good to see that part of the speedo. Short term fix until warmer weather.

12-12-2019, 05:54 AM	#20
34Pietenpol Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA Posts: 65	Re: Something is not right! Built a Toe-In Tool, set the correct toe in and safetied all the plugs. I found several issues while investigating the steering. First indication was when I noticed the right front tire had worn completely out in about 700 miles. Toe in turned out to be over 1.25 inches even with the tie rod screwed completely in. Also found the tie rod plugs without cotter pins and backed nearly fully out. The pitman arm was so loose on its square steering arm that I could move it a quarter inch. Fixed the safety stuff, shortened the tie rod enough to get proper toe in. Test ride was a huge difference. This may be wishful thinking but the rolling friction was much less. She ran easily up to 50 mph where before it was a push to get to 45. Not that I will run at 50 but it’s good to see that part of the speedo. Short term fix until warmer weather.