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09-26-2015, 07:25 PM | #1 |
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Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Gentleman - I put my 2 tooth steering box on my 1928 stock model A frame. Turned steering wheel back and forth. My son says pop you are not going to like this. I said what is problem? Son takes over steering back and forth, sure enough frame flexes . This flexing is NOT GOOD! I need advice! Don in a state of cofusion Help will be Beer of your liking.
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09-26-2015, 08:09 PM | #2 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
This might be a dumb answer but is the engine in it? If not I would say that the frame does flex a little.
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09-26-2015, 08:22 PM | #3 | |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Quote:
Bill |
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09-26-2015, 08:55 PM | #4 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Is it the frame flexing, or the steering box loose at the frame?
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09-26-2015, 08:57 PM | #5 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
yea the flywheel housing and factory motor mounts are essentially another crossmember, without engine or at least the flywheel housing bolted in place things are going to flex around.
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09-26-2015, 10:23 PM | #6 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
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09-27-2015, 09:36 PM | #7 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Thank you all for answering my plea for help!!! Yes float A Motor mounts front and Rear. I have not Tightened all the big bolts yet. Should I tighten all bolts and see what happens? All running gear is in frame, Motor trans rear end and front axle, wish bone is bolted solid.Steering box is bolted solid also. Tom I will go over the frame with a fine tooth comb, and see if there is a crack. Gentlemen You are the BEST!! Thank you for being you! Don in Indiana
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09-27-2015, 10:25 PM | #8 | |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Quote:
Bill |
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09-27-2015, 11:11 PM | #9 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Yep, what Bill just said.
Also, I try to never turn the steering wheel unless the car is moving. Otherwise you put undue stress on all the steering parts and the gas tank mount. Also, one should not grab the steering wheel to get in or out of the car, as this can flex the tank mount and lead to cracks and gas leaks. |
09-28-2015, 09:54 AM | #10 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Install the engine with stock motor mounts and I bet the flexing stops.
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09-28-2015, 10:18 AM | #11 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
If your in a sitting still bare frame, and turning the wheel it will torque the frame a lot. The integrity of the steering counts on the complete car assembly to reach its full integrity.
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09-28-2015, 10:19 AM | #12 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Remember, they ARE a skinny, flexible frame!
Bill W.
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09-28-2015, 10:26 AM | #13 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Here we go again with the Float a Motors, many like them, and many hate them. Is there a possibility of getting a 75/25% of factual proof of which is better, instead of the normal 50/50??? Just curious, why have they been in existence for such a long time?
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09-28-2015, 11:42 AM | #14 | |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Quote:
Bill |
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09-28-2015, 11:44 AM | #15 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
The frames are way more flexible then you may imagine.
Keep in mind the doors have dovetails for a reason. The body flexes a lot too. |
09-28-2015, 11:55 AM | #16 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
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09-28-2015, 05:39 PM | #17 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Gentlemen of the FORD persuasion , Being The farmer I am I took everyones advice and tightened every thing that was loose, Float A Motor, Took all steering parts and tightened all. But here is the kicker, I put the steering cover back on the steering box shaft bolted it back to gas tank and all the planets aligned NO MORE FRAME FLEX. You FORD people are Golden!! Thank you all Don in ridged In.
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09-28-2015, 05:48 PM | #18 | |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Quote:
Flex would be limited if his bolts were tightened . Fredski |
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09-28-2015, 06:22 PM | #19 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
The frame will flex with stock mounts too unless the column is bolted to the tank.
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09-29-2015, 06:28 AM | #20 | |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
Quote:
I'm sure Henry Ford put a lot of thought into a FLEXIBLE frame for Model T's & carried it over to the Model A's, as many folks were FARMERS & roads were TERRIBLE! Roads in MY later era were BAD enough, even! These cars were almost like an ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE I've ridden in Model A's ACROSS a freshly plowed field & through Luke Bakers' Buzzard Creek Crossing In later years, Chief worked for the W.P.A, building better roads & bridges & they used mostly Model A trucks. NON-POWERED road graders, were even TOWED by Model AA trucks & Ford Tractors. Roads were getting a little better by time the '32 came out, with its' more RIDGID frame & LOWER ground clearance. I'm sure many of you have experienced yo' door PLOPPING open, when going out a driveway on an ANGLE--LOL- Some WOODY owners speak of that SWEET creaking sound their bodies make, when doing the same maneuver Wood mounting blocks were SOME help, in keeping the BODY from flexing TOO much. Bill W.
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09-29-2015, 07:32 AM | #21 |
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Re: Frame on 28 A flexs by steering box
When I restored a friend's WELL-WORN 1929 Cabriolet that had been abandoned in the Arizona desert decades prior, I was surprised that the steering column angled at least two inches to the right when I attempted to install it into the restored chassis with body mounted. No way would it easily line up to go inside the gas tank's column bracket. The frame was apparently bowing inward where the steering gear bolts in place. It wasn't an obvious tweak as I restored the chassis, but it was definitely there once the body and steering column were mated.
In desperation and in anger - and with nothing to lose - I pulled on the steering wheel to the left with all my might. To my great relief, the frame rail flexed and bent more than enough for me to bolt up the steering column to the gas tank! In fact, I had to pull it back to the right a little because I had pulled it too far to the left. Hurray! I was flabbergasted that the frame rail had that much flex in it! They are tough old birds, you know. Have you ever tried to drill a hole in a Model "A" frame? Kiss a couple drill bits good-bye! For those of you who are sure that I bent the steering shaft or caused other damage in doing this, rest assured that nothing of the kind resulted. In fact, this is one of the easiest steering Model A's I ever rebuilt! I just drove it the other day after restoring it in 2001 and it steers as nicely and straight as the day I delivered it to my friend. So, to the original poster, this little story is proof positive that YES - the Model A frame is flexible, even with the engine in place. Marshall Last edited by Marshall V. Daut; 09-29-2015 at 07:36 AM. Reason: Misplaced comma and errant typo letter removal. |
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