The Ford Barn

sphooch · 10-26-2014, 09:06 AM

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

Big hammer · 10-26-2014, 09:14 AM

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

Big hammer · 10-26-2014, 09:35 AM

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 !

Patrick L. · 10-26-2014, 10:37 AM

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].

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-26-2014, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

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].

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.

hardtimes · 10-26-2014, 04:28 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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.

10-26-2014, 09:06 AM	#1
sphooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 362	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

10-26-2014, 09:14 AM	#2
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,430	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

10-26-2014, 09:35 AM	#3
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,430	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 !

10-26-2014, 10:37 AM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	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].

10-26-2014, 04:28 PM	#6
hardtimes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South California Posts: 6,190	Re: 31 roadster steering question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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.