|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
11-11-2019, 04:52 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 111
|
Making an A axle steer easier
Now that winter has set in, I'd like to do some work on this thing to make it a little more drivable. One of the problems is that it steers hard. Part of the problem is likely the Deere steering sector I used, which is definitely not designed for running a model A front axle, but I wanted to use as many Deere parts as possible. Also the steering wheel is a little small.
It needs new king pins badly, which I will also change this winter, but what else might I try to make it steer a little easier? |
11-11-2019, 06:32 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Don’t change king pins. Just new bushings. Easy.
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
11-11-2019, 06:45 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: now Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 3,790
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Try removing some weight. Switch to an aluminum radiator, for starters. Get the block and heads recast in aluminum also. Have the flywheel lightened. Take off oh, maybe 150-200 pounds. Drill some holes in the frame and front axle. Let us know if this helps!
|
11-11-2019, 06:55 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,562
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
An improperly shimmed spindle bolt bearing will make one very hard to steer. Make sure the load of the spindle is actually being supported on the spindle bolt bearing, -and not the spindle rubbing on the axle beam boss.
Next, I would say the steering on the tractor was/is likely worn however the box should have many turns from lock-to-lock. Disconnect the Pittman arm to see whether the steering gearbox is turning stiffly or whether it is in the steering arms and tie-rod ends. I cannot see what you are using for tie-rod ends, but if they are stock Model-A type, they may be adjusted incorrectly with too much spring tension. |
11-11-2019, 08:13 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
The king pins are in tension. The car hangs from the king pins, that are supported by a bearing at the top. Make sure this is what you have
|
11-12-2019, 09:28 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 111
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
11-12-2019, 09:30 AM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 111
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Quote:
Is there a general rule of thumb as to how tight the tie rod ends should be? Do those Teflon inserts do any good? |
|
11-12-2019, 10:09 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Battle Ground WA
Posts: 293
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
First off, you have done a beautiful job on your creation. I appreciate your creativity.
Steer easier? Lub the crap out of it, test with the weight removed from the wheels to find out if the king pin thrust bearings are doing their job, weight back on it, remove the tie rod to test if the problem is in the left or right side, remove the drag link to see if in the gear or front axle, etc. I'm going to assume you have done all that and it still steers hard. Model As don't have power steering! Try not to fight it, and only turn the steering wheel when the car, tractor, er, eh, "vehicle" is moving, this will help. You could go to easy steer, or the F100 steering box. Good luck, I can see you are having fun, more power to you!
__________________
Corley ----------------- Subscribed to the KISS principle! |
11-12-2019, 10:41 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,128
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
|
11-12-2019, 10:44 AM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 111
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Quote:
|
|
11-12-2019, 11:37 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,114
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Nice looking rig, had hoped to see it in Lincoln last May.
With new king pins and bushings installed and everything lubed, and it still turns hard, shorten the pitman arm. This will give you more mechanical advantage. A good welder can do this safely, cut on an angle to give more weld-length, thus stronger than butt weld. Also the drag link should be as near horizontal as possible so you are not trying to lift the car as you turn. |
11-12-2019, 12:36 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Battle Ground WA
Posts: 293
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
With the weight off of the wheels, you are only going to feel resistance from the steering components, and not the tire scrub resistance. (Note that this won't tell you much about the kingpin thrust bearing, which could also be binding.) You are simply trying to isolate the various place where binding could potentially occur.
__________________
Corley ----------------- Subscribed to the KISS principle! |
11-12-2019, 01:41 PM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 111
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Quote:
|
|
11-12-2019, 02:28 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South pacific island
Posts: 1,724
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Not sure that's a good idea. It's extremely illegal in my country & a major reason why imported cars can't be road legal.
Just so people know...
__________________
<Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable |
11-12-2019, 04:10 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,564
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Are you complaining about hard steering while the vehicle is stationary or moving? If it is heavy at zero or very low speeds, everything is normal. I don't know whether this applies to you, but there are many people these days who have never driven a vehicle without power steering so they think the world is at an end when they do.
There may be nothing wrong.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood. |
11-12-2019, 10:05 PM | #16 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,423
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Heavy steering is a way of life with old cars and tractors. There are several things that can be done.
1- Live with it. 2- Try straight Power Punch in the gear box. 3- Install an early Nash power steering. Most cars require NO mods to the existing steering for it. It will most likely require fabrication of a pump mount. On your car the running board apron would hide the cylinder. The cylinder bears on the pitman arm. |
11-13-2019, 12:26 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Bay City Michigan
Posts: 1,050
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
mine steers easy. something is probably binding it up. good luck. I pray to the gods of iron its not expensive.
|
11-13-2019, 12:19 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,114
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
I welded mine in 1959, still doing well. Bevel the joint deeply, weld, peen, weld, etc. Peening is important as it relieves stress.
|
11-15-2019, 08:48 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
A "little" better view
__________________
Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B |
11-16-2019, 09:56 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,030
|
Re: Making an A axle steer easier
Obviously you are very comfortable with modifications and fitment so why don't you find a steering box off of an old truck. Some of those you had to turn the wheel many revolutions to go lock to lock. I would think you could google it to find the ratio you want.
By the way, how many revolutions of the wheel is it now for lock-to-lock?
__________________
"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool." |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|