The Ford Barn

kw · 09-08-2010, 01:58 PM

Just bought our 1928 A. What began with a slight steering shimmy/wobble
has developed into a big wobble after replacing the radius ball. Cannot
maintain full tire pressure because the wobble becomes worse...especially over 20 mph. What's the best next step to take? By the way, our
Vol. 1 Mechanics book was just delivered today.
Thanks so much. KW

31Tudor · 09-08-2010, 02:08 PM

KW, There has been a pretty extensive post going on addressing your exact concern. Just scroll down and look for "Shimmy is back, what now". I think you will find a lot of good suggestions.

kw · 09-09-2010, 01:40 PM

Thank you for your reply. We are combing through those suggestions.

Robert Putnam · 09-09-2010, 05:14 PM

My friend had a nasty shimmy in his A... tried everything known to man to get rid of it.....found in the end that the axel was bent... new axel and Voila.. shimmy gone !

glenn in camino · 09-09-2010, 07:59 PM

It could be that your wishbone is bent making the caster incorrect. Most wishbones I've scene for sale at swapmeets are bent.

CT Jack · 09-09-2010, 09:01 PM

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Make certain the tie rod ends are tightened all the way in. If not, tighten the adjusting screw all the way in and back off 1/2 a turn. Also check your toe in. The distance between the inner surfaces of the rear of the front tires is supposed to be no more than 1/8" greater than the distance between the front inner surfaces. Sometimes these two adjustments can stop front end shimmying.

Mike V. Florida · 09-09-2010, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT Jack

The distance between the inner surfaces of the rear of the front tires is supposed to be no more than 1/8" greater than the distance between the front inner surfaces. Sometimes these two adjustments can stop front end shimmying.

I wish to expand on this a little. The measurement is made at 6" above ground at the fatest point of the tire, and I think the spec is closer to 1/16" +- 1/32" which is no more than 1/8" as stated above.

09-08-2010, 01:58 PM	#1
kw Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2	Shimmy not solved with new radius ball Just bought our 1928 A. What began with a slight steering shimmy/wobble has developed into a big wobble after replacing the radius ball. Cannot maintain full tire pressure because the wobble becomes worse...especially over 20 mph. What's the best next step to take? By the way, our Vol. 1 Mechanics book was just delivered today. Thanks so much. KW

09-08-2010, 02:08 PM	#2
31Tudor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 611	Re: Shimmy not solved with new radius ball KW, There has been a pretty extensive post going on addressing your exact concern. Just scroll down and look for "Shimmy is back, what now". I think you will find a lot of good suggestions.

09-09-2010, 01:40 PM	#3
kw Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2	Re: Shimmy not solved with new radius ball Thank you for your reply. We are combing through those suggestions.

09-09-2010, 05:14 PM	#4
Robert Putnam Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 41	Re: Shimmy not solved with new radius ball My friend had a nasty shimmy in his A... tried everything known to man to get rid of it.....found in the end that the axel was bent... new axel and Voila.. shimmy gone !

09-09-2010, 07:59 PM	#5
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Shimmy not solved with new radius ball It could be that your wishbone is bent making the caster incorrect. Most wishbones I've scene for sale at swapmeets are bent.

09-09-2010, 09:01 PM	#6
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 432	Re: Shimmy not solved with new radius ball Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Make certain the tie rod ends are tightened all the way in. If not, tighten the adjusting screw all the way in and back off 1/2 a turn. Also check your toe in. The distance between the inner surfaces of the rear of the front tires is supposed to be no more than 1/8" greater than the distance between the front inner surfaces. Sometimes these two adjustments can stop front end shimmying.