29 Model A Front Wheels Shaking/Swaying

[Bankston92]

Hi All!

We have our 29 Model A Pickup running and almost done!

We took it for a short drive last weekend and it was running between 30-35 mph no problem. Up and downhill as well as taking turns. However, randomly both front wheels started swaying left and right vigorously. We brought the truck to a stop and I checked all the lug nuts and everything seemed fine. We drove it back to the house and it didn't happen again on the drive back.

This is something we obviously want to fix but we aren't the best mechanics when it comes to these types of issues. We were wondering if anyone had any experience with something like this and could point us in the right direction or how to troubleshoot which parts might need to be replaced so that we don't end up ordering unnecessary parts.

Thank you for your time!

[Patrick L.]

Sounds to me as if your problem can be anything in the front end from steering box adjustment all the way thru the front end out to the wheel bearing adjustment and anything in between.
Jack the vehicle up with stands on the axle and start shaking everything and look for everything that is loose. Don't forget wheel balance.

[WHN]

I think what you are describing is called front end shimmy.

You have to take a look at the complete steering system.

Wish bone, steering box, front spring and shocks, king pins, rims and tires, everything.

Do you have a lot of steering wheel play? Jack up the front end and start pulling on parts.

Look at your spring shackles, look at everything. Enjoy.

[Bankston92]

Originally Posted by WHN

I think what you are describing is called front end shimmy.

You have to take a look at the complete steering system.

Wish bone, steering box, front spring and shocks, king pins, rims and tires, everything.

Do you have a lot of steering wheel play? Jack up the front end and start pulling on parts.

Look at your spring shackles, look at everything. Enjoy.

Yes there is probably 3 inches of play and it is very difficult to steer going down the road.

[1931 flamingo]

Ck toe-in and tire pressure as well as above mentioned. It might help if you let people know where you're located. May be somebody near by that could help. FWIW

Paul in CT

[Bob C]

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Here is a link to Death Wobble https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/searc...rchid=11028460


Bob

[Patrick L.]

3" of steering wheel play is quite a bit. Start with an adjustment. Service bulletins are best for this procedure. The box can be adjusted while still in the vehicle.
Then work your way to each wheel checking everything for looseness.

[Pilotdave]

As said, check everything. Assume nothing is as it's supposed to be. This week while searching for the cause of death wobble shimmy in our car I discovered that the nut on the passenger side steering arm that secures the spindle to the arm was loose. The spindle could "rock" on the arm. Maybe wasn't the only factor, but it certainly played a role.

[Bankston92]

Thank you everyone for the information!

Also, I am located in Central California, near Fresno.

[Terry, NJ]

Another thing, Take all of your steering joints apart and check the balls for roundness. They are supposed to be 1.000 all the way around. Tolerable loss is .025 or instead of 1.000, it's down to .975 ( or less ). As has been said, Check Everything! If your spring's knuckle is laying on the front axle, the spring bushing shot, and it will cause "Death Wobble". Alignment is a possible cause too.
Terry

[Tinbasher]

Check the Caster. Should be 6-7 Degrees. Negative. (Top of the King Pin back). A Magnetic protractor works well or a bubble level with the bubble 90 Deg.s to the axle. Every 1/16 of a inch equals 1 Deg. Not super accurate but it works.

JP