The Ford Barn

Brobrian · 12-22-2014, 10:11 PM

Thanks to those who advised me on honing or reaming my king pin bushings.
I'd hoped to stretch the job out for a few more days, but the work was too fun, and the weather too good.

Today I reassembled the steering box, reinstalled the steering column, and put the spindle assembly back together. I'm still going to replace the bushings in the right spindle, but I thought I'd just put it all back together until the reamer I'm borrowing from a generous Barner in Virginia arrives.

So, I took the coupe out for a little spin this evening. The steering is much easier, and tight as a drum. Absolutely no play, and smooth as silk. I was chuckling all the way down the street. Then, the front end started to wobble gently and continued throughout the short test ride. I'd checked the toe-in while the front end was up on blocks and found it to be very close to zero. When I got back I checked it again, with the car sitting on it's wheels and found it to be about 3/4" toe-in. I'll adjust it again tomorrow and see if I can get it right. Even when I get the toe-in adjusted properly, the tires are so improperly worn from having been aligned badly that I may not be able to get rid of the wobble until they are replaced.

Anyway, the point of the post was to say thanks, and to share how much fun it is to tinker around with these cars. With every assembly I take apart, repair, and reassemble, the car becomes more dear to me. I don't care that I didn't completely fix the front end. I've had a couple of great days in my garage and learned a bunch. Can't wait to tinker with the alignment again, and to do the other spindle.

12-22-2014, 10:11 PM	#1
Brobrian Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 315	Tighter Steering, Wobble Remains Thanks to those who advised me on honing or reaming my king pin bushings. I'd hoped to stretch the job out for a few more days, but the work was too fun, and the weather too good. Today I reassembled the steering box, reinstalled the steering column, and put the spindle assembly back together. I'm still going to replace the bushings in the right spindle, but I thought I'd just put it all back together until the reamer I'm borrowing from a generous Barner in Virginia arrives. So, I took the coupe out for a little spin this evening. The steering is much easier, and tight as a drum. Absolutely no play, and smooth as silk. I was chuckling all the way down the street. Then, the front end started to wobble gently and continued throughout the short test ride. I'd checked the toe-in while the front end was up on blocks and found it to be very close to zero. When I got back I checked it again, with the car sitting on it's wheels and found it to be about 3/4" toe-in. I'll adjust it again tomorrow and see if I can get it right. Even when I get the toe-in adjusted properly, the tires are so improperly worn from having been aligned badly that I may not be able to get rid of the wobble until they are replaced. Anyway, the point of the post was to say thanks, and to share how much fun it is to tinker around with these cars. With every assembly I take apart, repair, and reassemble, the car becomes more dear to me. I don't care that I didn't completely fix the front end. I've had a couple of great days in my garage and learned a bunch. Can't wait to tinker with the alignment again, and to do the other spindle. __________________ Forty horses is plenty.