Steering issue

[1928fordmodelaspecial]

Help. I can't drive straight. My steering is constantly wandering so I am constantly trying to make steering adjustments to drive straight. What could be the issue. Everything is tight under the car in the linkages and arms.

[RawhideKid]

Check the wear on the wishbone ball.

[1955cj5]

And the toe-in

[Synchro909]

People have forgotten what it's like to drive on Bias ply tyres. Any longitudinal groove in the road will pull you all over the place and road makers don't care if those ruts are there now because drivers don't notice them when they are driving on radials. There may be nothing wrong with your car, just the road.
Your tyre pressures are very important too. 35 psi.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

People have forgotten what it's like to drive on Bias ply tyres. Any longitudinal groove in the road will pull you all over the place and road makers don't care if those ruts are there now because drivers don't notice them when they are driving on radials. There may be nothing wrong with your car, just the road.

Very true but ive seen/heard many more model A's in worn out states than tip top wandering still states...

With the car stopped how much free play does the steering wheel have before it moves the tires?

do you have a nice round factory ball on the wishbone with the proper setup or that awful rubber ball setup?

jack the front axle up and grab each tire at noon and 6 and wiggle - should be no wiggle - could be worn out king pins/spindle bushings/wheel bearings too loose.

Are you shackles nice and tight and not worn out?

Spring keeping the car up at the proper height?

just because the linkages are tight doesnt mean the balls are nice and round.

Pitman arm right on the sector shaft? sector shaft worn out the bushings?

[springerpete]

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As you say, the front end is in good shape so I would look at the tires. How old are they ? When I got my roadster they had nice ww tires but they were old and very hard. I was all over the road. Put on new tires and I now can steer the straight line.

[2manycars]

First thing to check is for proper toe-in. If the wheels are toed out, it will dart from one side of the road to the other on each imperfection of the road.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

First thing to check is for proper toe-in. If the wheels are toed out, it will dart from one side of the road to the other on each imperfection of the road.

I agree, and toe-in would be my first check.
After that check for steering wheel freeplay with the car stopped. If the pitman arm is dead tight, and the steering box to frame mounting bolts are tight, then it's time for steering box adjustments or repairs if the steering wheel can be moved back and forth more than an inch and a half. A half inch would be ideal.

[George Miller]

Tom is right on.

[WHN]

Where should I start!

When I get a new car the first thing I do is drop the front end.

Cars need good springs, shocks, king pins, etc.

A little play here, a little play there, now your all over the road.

Everything works together to make a great handling car.

Brakes and handling, doesn't matter what it looks like.

After everything is checked and corrected. Grease everything and YES tire pressure (35 psi) a must.

[1928fordmodelaspecial]

The steering wheel had maybe an inch to half an inch of play if that. The wheels don't wiggle around when jacked up. Nice and tight. I do need to let y'all know that it has only 8,527 miles on it. All original. Passed down through the generations.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by 1928fordmodelaspecial

The steering wheel had maybe an inch to half an inch of play if that. The wheels don't wiggle around when jacked up. Nice and tight. I do need to let y'all know that it has only 8,527 miles on it. All original. Passed down through the generations.

Hmm then yea id check the toe, check for bent rims, and see if you can figure out what tires you have on it. Does it wander on all kinds of pavement or is it only on certain types? My chevette with narrow 13" tires wanders on grooved concrete just because the tire grooves line up with the pavement grooves.

[Tom Wesenberg]

An original car with only 8,527 miles should be in great shape and need no repairs. Check the toe-in and post pictures of the car. Sounds like you have a real winner. Nothing better than a low mileage original.

[Y-Blockhead]

Just a thought. Check for a bent tie rod. For some reason guys like to wrap a tow strap around the front axle and catch the tie rod in the process.

[iverson]

I dont think its the problem on this low mile car but I have seen people put in new kingpins too tight that can make the car handle like that. I would sure like to see more pictures of this car!

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by 1928fordmodelaspecial

The steering wheel had maybe an inch to half an inch of play if that. The wheels don't wiggle around when jacked up. Nice and tight. I do need to let y'all know that it has only 8,527 miles on it. All original. Passed down through the generations.

I think the tires need to be replaced, with only 8,527 on them :-)
Seriously I bought a old farm truck, driven only in the country, with good tread! But the tires had some cracking and it drove like a log truck. I put new tires on and I was amazed in the difference in the ride and driving Quality !

[1928fordmodelaspecial]

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[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by 1928fordmodelaspecial

Click on my profile and view my album

I think I see your problem... White Wall Tires!!