I’m getting pretty close to putting my ’53 flathead on the road for the first time. I do have new shocks but the rest is untouched. What simple static checks can I do on the front end to make sure it is not dangerous before I drive it? Something like lifting the front end, grabbing the wheel at 12 & 6, and looking for excess movement.

 

Ya that is a good start. I would only add put jack pads under the straight axle. I started at the steering box. Those springs and pads wear move the steering wheel ND notice any play..now is a good time to get out your grease gun and go to work. Do your tires like you suggested and if that's good spin the tire to check the wheel bearings. If you have never checked it pull the wheel bearing caps should be grease inside that cap.my 55 I ended up pulling the wheels and repacking all four front wheel bearings. They really needed it. If that front checks out. Do your repairs. Now go to the transmission jack up the rear wheels that drive like oil and differential mine was really low in my tyranny and differential if you drive line universals check fir looseness put a wrench on them just to make sure they are tight they are only 1/2 inch three of mine were loose two did not have lock washers installed. After.I did all that I started the truck put it in second gear and listened to the rear end run. Sounded good. Not to.offend just my check on my 55 after I drove it 520 milesAJ.

 

Thanks. Lots of good information there.