Steering wheel play

[bo8109b]

Sitting on concrete, my '48 car steering wheel has 2" total play at which point movement of wheels is noted. Is that normal for these old cars?

[Mart]

Sounds good to me.

Mart.

[Lawson Cox]

Way too much free play IMHO.

[ford3]

could be worm gear in steering box worn, tie rod ends, king pins, idler arms, steering box bolts loose at frame, have a friend wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while your under neath the car looking for movement at those parts, 2" is to much ,like half an inch is plenty, when every thing is set right the wheel will move as soon as you move the steering wheel

[Mike B]

When do you feel resistance in the steering?...not so much when a tire starts to move

Now if it's two inches driving down the road to get a correction in the steering, I'd be concerned.

[terry]

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You need to remove a shim or two from the steering box. This worked for me on my 48 Pickup. Terry

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

This is my story and I'm sticking to it. After checking everything for looseness under the car like tie rod ends ect. To set steering box, disconnect the pitman arm from the box, turn steering all the way one way then count the turns all the other way, Say it was 4 turns, turn the wheel back 2 turns and the sector should be straight ahead, you should have almost zero backlash with the wheel, once you get off center you will have backlash. With the wheel in the center adjust the screw on the box to zero backlash. Don't set it to tight. just so there is a little drag at center. Set your drag link so with the wheels are straight ahead the steering wheel is center. That way when your going down the road straight ahead steering wheel will have a little drag at center. Walt

[Old Henry]

In my state the safety inspection standard is 2" play with power steering and 3" without. I've never been able to get my play reduced below 2" and feel just fine about it. To get less I'd have to replace the steering box. Not necessary and 2" play is not dangerous IMHO. I drive over 1,000 miles a month with such and no worries.

[expavr]

The following is the Federal Code regarding maximum steering lash and linkage play. If you feel comfortable operating your car at those limits you will be legally doing so, but know that they don't take into consideration other variables that affect vehicle control, such as bias ply tires which have different handling characteristics than radial tires. IMO you should try to set up the front end and steering box as tight as possible rather than relying on the legal limit.


CFR › Title 49 › Subtitle B › Chapter V › Part 570 › Subpart A › Section 570.7
49 CFR 570.7 - STEERING SYSTEMS.

CFR
Updates
Authorities (U.S. Code)
PREV | NEXT § 570.7 Steering systems.
(a) System play. Lash or free play in the steering system shall not exceed values shown in Table 1.
(1) Inspection procedure. With the engine on and the wheels in the straight ahead position, turn the steering wheel in one direction until there is a perceptible movement of a front wheel. If a point on the steering wheel rim moves more than the value shown in Table 1 before perceptible return movement of the wheel under observation, there is excessive lash or free play in the steering system.
Table 1—Steering System Free Play Values
Steering wheel diameter (inches) Lash (inches)
16 or less 2
18 21/4
20 21/2
22 23/4
(b) Linkage play. Free play in the steering linkage shall not exceed one-quarter of an inch.
(1) Inspection procedure. Elevate the front end of the vehicle to load the ball joints. Insure that wheel bearings are correctly adjusted. Grasp the front and rear of a tire and attempt to turn the tire and wheel assembly left and right. If the free movement at the front or rear tread of the tire exceeds one-quarter inch there is excessive steering linkage play.

[bo8109b]

I've replaced king pins & tie rod ends. Removed drag link from pitman arm & with the steering wheel centered have 1/32" play in the pitman arm which increases to 1/8" full turn right or left. The adjusting screw in the box is all the way in. Drives easy but there is about 2" of play. I'm with Old Henry on this one.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

In my state the safety inspection standard is 2" play with power steering and 3" without. I've never been able to get my play reduced below 2" and feel just fine about it. To get less I'd have to replace the steering box. Not necessary and 2" play is not dangerous IMHO. I drive over 1,000 miles a month with such and no worries.

Having owned two of these last gen fat fenders I agree.

GB

[Charlville]

My A has V8 steering components and the tie rod/track rod end on the steering arm was worn causing excess play.

[Mart]

Originally Posted by bo8109b

I've replaced king pins & tie rod ends. Removed drag link from pitman arm & with the steering wheel centered have 1/32" play in the pitman arm which increases to 1/8" full turn right or left. The adjusting screw in the box is all the way in. Drives easy but there is about 2" of play. I'm with Old Henry on this one.

You should be able to get that 1/32 down to zero. you adjust the play out but be cautious to stop adjusting at zero and not create a tight spot.

Mart.

[George/Maine]

The steering wheel has to be straight ahead 9-3 o'clock.
As you turn the wheel you get more play.