|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
08-05-2016, 09:26 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 102
|
'39 Truck with hard steering
We're working on a '39 Ford ( 1/2 ton Commercial) with a Flathead, manual tranny. mostly stock. The steering effort required to drive it is more than this old guy can handle. There seems to be binding in the column-maybe the upper bushing. Trying to contact the guy that makes the bearing setup but no luck yet. On the lift, with the front end off the ground, the truck turns really easy. No binding anywhere that we can see. With the weight on the front axle, it's a chore. Any ideas? There is oil in the steering box and the king pins and suspension look great.
|
08-05-2016, 11:49 PM | #2 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Whitehorse,yukon
Posts: 21
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
Sounds like tight, siezed king pins. Disconnect the drag link and try.
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
08-06-2016, 08:07 AM | #3 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Florida and Penna.
Posts: 4,471
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
Quote:
My truck even has larger tires. They will all turn hard if the truck isn't moving. G.M.
__________________
www.fordcollector.com |
|
08-06-2016, 10:36 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,754
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
I assume the truck is moving when you are trying to turn the steering wheel?
Bob |
08-06-2016, 03:14 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,964
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
as for upper bearing--go to hardware store and purchase a wheelbarrow wheel bearing for a 3/4" shaft--it will have a flange on one side. screw too long sheetmetal screws into the old rubber bushing and pull it out, may have to clean up inside of steering column with some sandpaper or scotchbrite or even an old straight blade knife. do trial fit and make sure it will go over the shaft and into the column, use some super glue or other glue and push bearing down the shaft and allow it to bottom out on the flange, I use a short rubber spacer made out of a radiator hose above the bearing below the steering wheel
|
08-06-2016, 04:34 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Independence, VA
Posts: 423
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
08-07-2016, 01:33 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 102
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
It's not my first go around with old trucks. This one steers abnormally hard. Guess I'm not as strong as you are.
|
08-07-2016, 02:53 PM | #8 |
Member Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
Place something slick under the wheels if you are wanting to try the steering with the truck setting still and with weight on the wheels.
|
08-07-2016, 03:11 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
The King bearing should be under the axle not on top .Lower the tyres onto the outer bearings of two front brake drums sitting flat on the ground ,they will pivot on them and you can check as JSeery said .Ted
|
08-08-2016, 01:51 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Solihull, England.
Posts: 8,755
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
An old newspaper under each front wheel is a reasonable substitute for a turntable.
|
08-08-2016, 04:38 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: east Tennessee
Posts: 363
|
Re: '39 Truck with hard steering
Btt
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|