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1950 bumpsteer

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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 07:52 AM
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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
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 09:18 AM
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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.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 10:12 AM
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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?
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by toms50toy
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?
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.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2013 | 11:52 AM
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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.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2013 | 01:04 PM
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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.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2013 | 02:02 PM
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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.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2013 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by hillcogolfer
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.
First off your front end needs to be in good condition, no slop in the steering box/linkage, kingpins or spring bushings. Then have an alignment done by someone who understands a solid axle front end. Last remember that a solid axle front will NEVER drive and feel like a modern car with IFS.

As for mine, all I did was increase the caster by adding wedges and aligned it. My drag link goes uphill slightly, but bump steer is minimal.
Basically, it drives like an old truck.....just the way I like it.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2013 | 04:55 PM
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As a rough rule of thumb, the drag link should be roughly parallel with the ground.
How far off is yours?

Bobby
 
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