The Ford Barn

art ebeling · 09-22-2022, 05:51 AM

A friend asked me to check the steering components on his 47 pickup because the said it "wanders" and he thinks the steering box needs rebuilt. The tie rod ends ends and drag link seem tight and the steering gear box seems ok to me, maybe a little loose. I checked the toe-in and it is 1/8 positive. We could not loosen the tie rod to adjust it to 1/16-1/8 negative and ran out of time yesterday so we will put it on a lift and try again today. Would that incorrect toe-in cause the wandering? How can I tell if the steering box needs rebuilt and how is it removed to rebuild? Does the entire column have to be removed from the vehicle? Art

Ken/Alabama · 09-22-2022, 07:14 AM

Yes, remove the steering box. Check king pins also.

jimTN · 09-22-2022, 07:40 AM

Sounds like caster and camber problems. Even if there is play in the gear and the castor and camber are right the wheels will return to center and stay on a direct path.

Mart · 09-22-2022, 08:42 AM

I've never heard of the terms positive and negative being applied to toe-in before.

It should have 1/16"-1/8" toe in. (front of the tyres closer than the rear). Which if I had to guess I would call positive.

Can you confirm it has 1/8" toe-out?

If it has that would contribute to a tendency to wander.

Mart.

Seth Swoboda · 09-22-2022, 09:20 AM

Art, sounds like you have checked all the tie rod and drag link ends. I would inspect the king pins for any "play".

You can tighten the steering box by removing the hex head cap on top of the box. There should be a slotted adjustment screw inside. You should have a start type washer that is slotted into a key way on this adjustment screw. Don't lose it. That keeps your adjustment screw in position when you tighten everything up. It denotes on the washer "this side up". You can tighten up the box there. If all of these components are good and tight there should be very minimum play in the steering wheel.

If the box need rebuilt you will need to remove the steering column from the steering box. When you have the column off and the bolts that hold it to the frame bracket removed, the steering box and rod will come out. Remove the pitman arm. Remove the top plate from the box and the end plate that holds the sector in. You will need to inspect the sector for wear as well as the worm gear. Also inspect the two bearings and races inside. You will need a new seal for the end of the sector. Replace all else that is worn. These are easy to rebuild. I just rebuilt mine on the '40. Call me with questions.

If he is experiencing wandering when going over bumps in the road, radial tires will help that.

1931 flamingo · 09-22-2022, 11:30 AM

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Tires??
Paul in CT Besides toe-in.

V8COOPMAN · 09-22-2022, 01:41 PM

.

Most-definitely, if it has some old BIAS Ply tires on it, it's gonna wander. It's amazing how a set of RADIAL tires can completely "tame" a wanderer.

Also, make sure that TOE-IN is where it should be (Closer in FRONT).

Coop

.

69a · 09-22-2022, 02:56 PM

Adjust your toe-in first! That is why it is set that way.

flatford8 · 09-22-2022, 07:28 PM

Should the vehicle weight be on suspension to get the toe-in/toe-out accurate?.....Mark

ford38v8 · 09-22-2022, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatford8

Should the vehicle weight be on suspension to get the toe-in/toe-out accurate?.....Mark

yes

GB SISSON · 09-22-2022, 09:37 PM

I just adjusted my '47 PU steering box per Mac VanPelt's website tutorial. It was not enough to just adjust the box with the nut/locknut/star adjuster. It improved, but not enough. I looked into rebuilding but VanPelt has directions for removing paper shims that are stacked up under the 4 bolt end plate. Remove one shim, definately helped, remove another and it acted as though it was freshly rebuilt. I had recently replaced the king pins and tie rod ends. So check your king pins when it's on the lift, get that 1/8" toe in when it's back down. Adjust per VanPelt before pulling for a rebuild.

NorthGeorgia41Fordor · 09-28-2022, 05:51 AM

✌��I needed this info as well. Thanks.

jimTN · 09-28-2022, 06:13 AM

47s have two springs, not like a traverse spring on the cars. They get flattened out the the axle looses its tilt. You can buy wedges that go between the axle and spring to cock the axle back. I made a set for a 47 trk I had years ago to stop the wander.

09-22-2022, 05:51 AM	#1
art ebeling Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hillsboro IL Posts: 480	1947 front wander A friend asked me to check the steering components on his 47 pickup because the said it "wanders" and he thinks the steering box needs rebuilt. The tie rod ends ends and drag link seem tight and the steering gear box seems ok to me, maybe a little loose. I checked the toe-in and it is 1/8 positive. We could not loosen the tie rod to adjust it to 1/16-1/8 negative and ran out of time yesterday so we will put it on a lift and try again today. Would that incorrect toe-in cause the wandering? How can I tell if the steering box needs rebuilt and how is it removed to rebuild? Does the entire column have to be removed from the vehicle? Art

09-22-2022, 07:14 AM	#2
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,277	Re: 1947 front wander Yes, remove the steering box. Check king pins also.

09-22-2022, 07:40 AM	#3
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,514	Re: 1947 front wander Sounds like caster and camber problems. Even if there is play in the gear and the castor and camber are right the wheels will return to center and stay on a direct path.

09-22-2022, 08:42 AM	#4
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,794	Re: 1947 front wander I've never heard of the terms positive and negative being applied to toe-in before. It should have 1/16"-1/8" toe in. (front of the tyres closer than the rear). Which if I had to guess I would call positive. Can you confirm it has 1/8" toe-out? If it has that would contribute to a tendency to wander. Mart.

09-22-2022, 09:20 AM	#5
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,833	Re: 1947 front wander Art, sounds like you have checked all the tie rod and drag link ends. I would inspect the king pins for any "play". You can tighten the steering box by removing the hex head cap on top of the box. There should be a slotted adjustment screw inside. You should have a start type washer that is slotted into a key way on this adjustment screw. Don't lose it. That keeps your adjustment screw in position when you tighten everything up. It denotes on the washer "this side up". You can tighten up the box there. If all of these components are good and tight there should be very minimum play in the steering wheel. If the box need rebuilt you will need to remove the steering column from the steering box. When you have the column off and the bolts that hold it to the frame bracket removed, the steering box and rod will come out. Remove the pitman arm. Remove the top plate from the box and the end plate that holds the sector in. You will need to inspect the sector for wear as well as the worm gear. Also inspect the two bearings and races inside. You will need a new seal for the end of the sector. Replace all else that is worn. These are easy to rebuild. I just rebuilt mine on the '40. Call me with questions. If he is experiencing wandering when going over bumps in the road, radial tires will help that. Last edited by Seth Swoboda; 09-22-2022 at 09:27 AM.

09-22-2022, 11:30 AM	#6
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,393	Re: 1947 front wander Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Tires?? Paul in CT Besides toe-in.

09-22-2022, 01:41 PM	#7
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,130	Re: 1947 front wander . Most-definitely, if it has some old BIAS Ply tires on it, it's gonna wander. It's amazing how a set of RADIAL tires can completely "tame" a wanderer. Also, make sure that TOE-IN is where it should be (Closer in FRONT). Coop . __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

09-22-2022, 02:56 PM	#8
69a Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 157	Re: 1947 front wander Adjust your toe-in first! That is why it is set that way.

09-22-2022, 07:28 PM	#9
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,655	Re: 1947 front wander Should the vehicle weight be on suspension to get the toe-in/toe-out accurate?.....Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

09-22-2022, 09:37 PM	#11
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,126	Re: 1947 front wander I just adjusted my '47 PU steering box per Mac VanPelt's website tutorial. It was not enough to just adjust the box with the nut/locknut/star adjuster. It improved, but not enough. I looked into rebuilding but VanPelt has directions for removing paper shims that are stacked up under the 4 bolt end plate. Remove one shim, definately helped, remove another and it acted as though it was freshly rebuilt. I had recently replaced the king pins and tie rod ends. So check your king pins when it's on the lift, get that 1/8" toe in when it's back down. Adjust per VanPelt before pulling for a rebuild. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

09-28-2022, 05:51 AM	#12
NorthGeorgia41Fordor Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Northeast Georgia Posts: 3	Re: 1947 front wander ✌��I needed this info as well. Thanks.

09-28-2022, 06:13 AM	#13
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,514	Re: 1947 front wander 47s have two springs, not like a traverse spring on the cars. They get flattened out the the axle looses its tilt. You can buy wedges that go between the axle and spring to cock the axle back. I made a set for a 47 trk I had years ago to stop the wander.