Handling????
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Handling????
Soooo. my '62 F100 runs out great...shifts, accelerates, brakes, etc about like I expected. What I wasn't ready for was how it handles at speed. It wanders all over the place and it's a full time job keeping it headed straight. there is probably a little more than an inch of "free play" in the wheel when you go from side to side, again only at speed, trying to go straight, not sitting still. This, being my first straight axel front end, I'm not sure if it's the nature of the beast or should I be looking at something here? Thanks for any insight any of you may have Dave
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Soooo. my '62 F100 runs out great...shifts, accelerates, brakes, etc about like I expected. What I wasn't ready for was how it handles at speed. It wanders all over the place and it's a full time job keeping it headed straight. there is probably a little more than an inch of "free play" in the wheel when you go from side to side, again only at speed, trying to go straight, not sitting still. This, being my first straight axel front end, I'm not sure if it's the nature of the beast or should I be looking at something here? Thanks for any insight any of you may have Dave
In front of the axle is the steering reach rod (3281), that has two replaceable tie rod ends 3A130/3A131
The left tie rod end 3A131 attaches to the left steering arm (3131). The right tie rod end 3A130 attaches to the right steering arm (3130).
All the parts highlighted in black have ball joints, all are probably worn out, causing the truck to wander all over the road. Left side is the drivers side, right side is the passenger side.
These parts are available NOS or from NAPA and/or other independent auto parts stores.
The chain parts stores like O'Reilly's may have the parts, but they will not be listed on their computers, so the parts cluck has to look in their paper catalogs usually stashed under the counter.
In addition to these parts, there are kingpins, they're shown in another pic that I'll post after you respond to this post.
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Thanks for the replies and those pics, very informative...… All of those greaseable parts appear to be tight....at least I can't get them to move by wiggling on them with my hand, if that's any indication. I see on the side of the steering box a nut with a shaft through it that appears to have a slot cut across the top of it. It's in a bit of a tricky spot to get a real good look at it? The other plug on top appears to be a way to check the fluid level? Is the one on the side the adjuster? (loosen lock nut and turn the threaded shaft?)..Thanks, Dave
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Thanks for the replies and those pics, very informative...… All of those greaseable parts appear to be tight....at least I can't get them to move by wiggling on them with my hand, if that's any indication. I see on the side of the steering box a nut with a shaft through it that appears to have a slot cut across the top of it. It's in a bit of a tricky spot to get a real good look at it? The other plug on top appears to be a way to check the fluid level? Is the one on the side the adjuster? (loosen lock nut and turn the threaded shaft?)..Thanks, Dave
This bolt only adjusts the preload of the sector shaft. Over tighten it, the box could lock up. Backing the nut off when this occurs, may not unlock the box. Not pleasant!
Notice that the steering shaft (3524) goes directly into the gear box. If the gearbox or the steering column has to be removed, it comes out as a one piece assembly.
Tie rod ends and the drag link have to be inspected for play (looseness) with the front wheels off the ground. Ditto for kingpins, the pic I haven't posted yet.
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FYI- it is very important to follow the specific procedures for tightening the adjustment screw on the steering box....they can be fund online!!!!!!!!
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Ford Parts Specialist
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I've been telling FTE members and people at parts counters for eons, don't mess with that screw!
Post Fiend
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Worn kingpins to misadjusted wheel bearings and everything in between can cause wandering steering. When within spec truck should track straight as a freight train on the highway with no movement of steering wheel.
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Get someone to help you. you lay under the front of the truck (Ebrake on not running) get someone to turn the steering wheel side to side and you look for parts with any slop. Next jack up one side (on the axle) and put a prybar under the wheel, lift up while looking at the king pins for slop.
Tuned
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Not mentioned: tires. What pressure are you running, AND are they consistent on all four?? And what do you have on there?? The original bias-ply tires would wander a bit. If you've never driven an old car/truck 'back in the day', you may not know this. Too, older steering systems DID need a bit more 'corrective action', and if, again, you've not been exposed to this, it is disconcerting. Radial tires are an improvement in all cases.
Cosmo
Cosmo
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Thanks for all the great advice..... will go through the front end check with help soon. The tires are great nearly new Hancook radials, all inflated properly... we'll get the old girl sorted out.. Thanks! Dave
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Update...… so, I've been through the front end.... all components/kingpins are without noticeable movement, laden or unladen...…….. I was able to grease all the zerks successfully and the joints all seemed to definitely need it.. the wheel bearings were too loose, allowing some movement and I readjusted them..... double checked tire pressures and took her for a ride...… there is a much noticeable improvement from before with probably 75% of the previous wander gone.... what's left is still pretty noticeable, and it appears the steering wheel has some, (maybe an inch or 2?),of freeplay in it going down the road. Could the steering box be the only thing left to contribute to this? Do they get greased? Is the adjuster shaft a reasonable solution here? I know the advice from many is to stay away from that beast.... thanks so much for all the help..Dave