1948 F-1 steering

[1948F-1Pickup]

Is there an index mark at the steering shaft
where it meets the steering wheel hub?
Or can I assume that the reason my steering
wheel isn't "straight" ahead when going straight
down the road is uneven adjustment of tie rods?

[JSeery]

I would disconnect steering linkage and turn the wheel stop to stop and determine the center position and then adjust the linkage to keep the wheel centered. The shaft is splined, so the wheel could just be located incorrectly.

[Ross F-1]

There's no adjustment in the linkage to center the wheel. Just take it off and put it on where you want it.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Ross F-1

There's no adjustment in the linkage to center the wheel. Just take it off and put it on where you want it.

? Are you referring to the tie rod or the drag length? You most certainly can adjust the steering position.

[Ross F-1]

The drag link is non-adjustable. The connecting link (connecting the spindles) adjusts toe-in/out. It's a turnbuckle, so there is no way to change the steering wheel position.

[JSeery]

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Originally Posted by Ross F-1

The drag link is non-adjustable. The connecting link (connecting the spindles) adjusts toe-in/out. It's a turnbuckle, so there is no way to change the steering wheel position short of completely disassembling it.

All true (if you want to look at it that way). You have to adjust the tie rod ends to center the steering and yes at least one of the tie rods ends has to be disconnected, they are reverse threads from side to side. BUT, you are 100% correct, by far the easiest approach would be to pull the wheel and reposition it. Anyway you go about it something has to come apart. I would want to assure that the steering box was centered, but most likely not that big an issue to most people.

[Ross F-1]

Taking the tie rod apart won't do anything except move the position of the tube on the tie rod ends.

[JSeery]

Ok, Ok, guess I have just spent two much time with rack and pinion setup!! And later Ford truck adjustment.

[1948F-1Pickup]

Shows ES416L for left outer and ES416R for right outer.
Usually "L" at the end means Left Hand Thread and "R" at the
end means Right Hand Thread. (The drag link on this truck
application could be considered one big adjusting sleeve,
basically)

The steering box is centered between right and left and
the steering wheel is also centered.....
I'm going to lengthen the left tie rod 2 turns, connect it back
with its spindle and shorten the right tie rod 2 turns and connect
that back with its spindle and see where I am, but that
should bring the tires much more closely to being straight.

Looks like 0.056" movement per turn on a 18 Thread Per Inch
tie rod. I might be looking at about three turns on each side.

[JSeery]

Believe Ross is correct, adjusting the tie rod ends won't help on this setup. I'm using an F1 box on my 33, but I also have the tie rod ends on the drag link to adjust it. On the later Fords adjusting the tie rod ends will move the steering, but now that I've reconsidered it, won't work on your, it would have to be the cross steering and the end on the drag link to work.

[DD931]

I just looked in the Ford Shop Manual - there is no discussion about centering the steering wheel. There is a place in the front end alignment section that says to find the straight ahead position and just mark the wheel and column location. It seems Ford doesn't care about actually centering the wheel!!! They are happy to go with whatever you've got!!

[1948F-1Pickup]

It's "centered" now. Had to pull the wheel.....
That direct connection from the pitman to the left spindle
makes it necessary to do it that way.

[rotorwrench]

It may have slight adjustment for toe in/out but most adjustments in the I beam truck axles are by bending things and are not to be taken lightly. Many of the car steering shafts were keyed till the early 50s but the F series were just put the wheel on centered with wheels in the straight ahead position.