3 weeks ago, I bought a mostly rust free 51 F2 after a year of looking... it is a non running truck with a flathead v8 and t98 4 speed...

I'm having some issues with the steering... no amount of force on the steering wheel will turn the front wheels unless the front end is lifted on a jack... and I am a pretty stout guy.

I have a tiny amount of play in the kingpins on both sides, so I am planning to fix that. The steering box works smoothly with very little play.

The U shaped arm that the drag link attaches to (is that called the steering arm, or is there another name for it) is pretty mutilated. It has been bent and straightened, and has a piece of angle iron hammered and welded around it... could that be the problem? I have just ordered one off e-bay for a 52 F2... I hope its the same arm...

Is there anything else I should look at that may cause this problem?

Thanks -Bear

 

Hi Bear, I'd say welcome but you've been here 10 years!

The '52 spindle arm will be the same as your '51. If someone welded your original one, holy smokes they could have done just about anything else to that whole system.
Pretty scary when you think about it....driving on today's roads at today's speeds on a perfectly solid and rebuilt original design system can be hair-raising at times...I would not trust any part of what the previous owner(s) might have done to yours. For the sake of you and all you love, go through every piece from the kingpins, knuckles, center cross link, drag link, pitman, tie rods to the steering box itself. If in doubt, chuck it out.
It quite likely that the repairs done years ago have stressed and strained the entire geometry of that system.
You can find every piece to replace that. E-Bay is a good source for the non-reproduced items. Mac's has many new reproduction parts, as do several other catalog companies.
You'll feel pretty good afterward knowing that a good tight system with new thiss'es and that's will allow you to hit bumps, avoid roadkill, and drive one-handed while waving back at all the folks giving you the thumbs up in that '52.


Good luck, and welcome back.
Tom

 

7RC-3134 .. Left Spindle Arm / Obsolete

Applications: 1948/52 F1/F2/F3

 

I saw that spindle arm on Ebay and almost bought it just for an extra. Im glad it went to someone that really needs it. The one you inherited from the PO sounds dangerous even if it had worked. Let us know how it turns out if you can. We love pics. Oh I almost forgot the most important thing--Welcome to the FTE family.

 

How easy is the steering up on the jack? Does everything move freely or is there still quite a bit of resistance?
If things move freely while on the jack then its probably OK. Manual steering without the vehicle moving is pretty tough. Its probably comparable to trying to turn the steering wheel on a modern power steering car without the engine running.


It sounds like you're on the right tract with replacing the mangled steering arm. A good inspection of all other components and you should be good to go


Good luck
Bobby

 

I don't want to sound like a lecture so i'll just add, before you go for a spin, make sure the emergency brake is working. They often times are seized up but to me it's the most important piece on my truck and I've rebuilt 2 of them. They are not hard to do but sometimes a little difficult to get at. If any of your brakes fail do to hydraulic failure in your lines or wheel cylinders and you are using the stock master cylinder there is no way you can stop that truck. I check that on my truck more than anything else and pray I never need to use it

 

When you jack it up, are you lifting by the axle or the frame?

 

The ball thrust bearings between the bottom of the axle and the spindle may be froze up. Taking the weight off of the wheels may allow the spindles to turn without having to turn the bearings.
Mark

 

By the axle... everything works smoothly with the tires off the ground... and now that I have the engine and transmission out, the steering works easily without lifting the front...

I know manual steering is difficult to turn when stationary... but I have never seen one that I couldnt turn...

-Bear

 

Do you have radials on the front? I had radials on my 54 F100 several years ago and it was a bear to steer when backing up and parking. I now have bias ply on the truck and I can back up and steer using one arm.

 

Have a spare steering arm if you need it . Actually a spare whole front axle , tie rod , spindles , hubs & etc.

 

Wow, great looking truck
I'm thinking a good looking over and a lube job is all you need. After driving with power steering for so many years most people are a bit surprised with how much effort it takes to turn the wheels on a stationary truck


Bobby

 

Firstrider, what would you be asking for the complete axle?

-Bear

 

Send a PM , email is koda06@bellsouth.net , ph. is 772-337-6393 . Will be thru Ga. via 95 S. of Atalanta in early Oct . Your location please ?

 

E-mail sent...

Thanks -Bear