1950 bumpsteer

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 22, 2013 | 07:52 AM

toms50toy

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 12

Likes: 0

1950 bumpsteer

hello guys

got my 1950 f1 roadworthy and all is well around town but highway driving will give you a severe case of the white-knuckles. had the toe checked and set, camber good, caster needs to be increased to 6 degrees and I think I need to re-align my drag link to match the height of my axle (3" drop w/ 2 leaves removed). Has anyone moved the steering box up on the frame instead of heating and bending spindle components to align drag link?

searched threads but couldn't find anything but might have missed it...

thanks yall

Sep 22, 2013 | 09:18 AM

tinman52

Welder User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 5,269

Likes: 50

From: northwest MT

Do you have a dropped axle or spring leaves removed or both? Putting the correct caster into it will help a bunch. Lack of caster will surely make driving "white knuckle".
Just removing a couple leaves shouldn't give you bumpsteer......need more details or even pics.

Sep 22, 2013 | 10:12 AM

toms50toy

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 12

Likes: 0

thanks for the reply. I have a 3" dropped axle from Sid's and 2 leaves removed. Now have about 3 degrees caster. I agree I probably need the other 3 deg of caster and will do that tomorrow. But in the meantime, are there any options of lessening the angle between pitman arm and spindle ***** besides heating and bending stuff?

Sep 22, 2013 | 03:07 PM

tinman52

Welder User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 5,269

Likes: 50

From: northwest MT

Quote:

Originally Posted by toms50toy

Not unless you raise the steering box as you suggested before. I doubt you can even do it by bending the steering arm. It can only go down a little before it hits the axle. Would need to see a pic of your axle and how they dropped it.

Oct 14, 2013 | 11:52 AM

hillcogolfer

5th Wheeling

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 32

Likes: 2

alignment

Tinman, I'm wanting to pull a few springs---front and rear--- from my '50 F1 to lower it....kinda like you did to yours. What kind of alignment stuff did you do to your frontend after doing that?

Right now, even before lowering it I am having some "darting" issues on the hwy (It has a pw steering added on too) but I haven't gotten it to the alignment shop yet to find out where caster, camber and toe are.

Thanks for your input.

Oct 14, 2013 | 01:04 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,287

Likes: 1,052

From: NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillcogolfer

...It has a pw steering added on too.....

Is it the powered ram type of PS? Or a Toyota steering, or -?-

If it's the ram, those were notorious for over-shooting any input. Any wear at all and you'l be fighting it. Parts are available.

Oct 14, 2013 | 02:02 PM

bryanknie

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 291

Likes: 0

From: Ft Lauderdale USA

Mine always ran and drove good, I then went and put the Posies 2 leaf springs on the front that lowered it a couple of inche.

Man o man! I then had the same issue as you. My knuckles were white to. I put in 4 degree caster shims now I can cruise at 75 mph and not worry about potholes or bumps. Driving with one hand and 2 fingers now.