Front end; what’s normal wandering?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Front end; what’s normal wandering?
All the discussion about front ends has made me wonder what’s normal, and just how loose is my truck, and what should I do about it…
I have a 56 F100, the front end is stock, and the only exception is a power brake booster from a 97 F100, hooked up to the stock drum brakes.
I have only had this one truck and have never driven another, it seems a bit looser, and wanders a bit more than some old cars I’ve owned, but it is a truck.
My steering wheel will flop from like 12oclock to 1:30 ish. Driving down the road it wanders a bit, not difficult to drive, but one must “pay attention” and make constant corrections….
So, what’s normal?
I want to keep the stock front end, I do not want power steering, but I want a safe truck. Does it sound like a steering box rebuild? What other ways are there to check the condition of things? I have yet to tighten the s-box up, the center screw is almost level with the lock nut, so from what I remember there is only a pinch of adjustment left, right?
Opinions..
As always, your help is much appreciated!
Packrat56
I have a 56 F100, the front end is stock, and the only exception is a power brake booster from a 97 F100, hooked up to the stock drum brakes.
I have only had this one truck and have never driven another, it seems a bit looser, and wanders a bit more than some old cars I’ve owned, but it is a truck.
My steering wheel will flop from like 12oclock to 1:30 ish. Driving down the road it wanders a bit, not difficult to drive, but one must “pay attention” and make constant corrections….
So, what’s normal?
I want to keep the stock front end, I do not want power steering, but I want a safe truck. Does it sound like a steering box rebuild? What other ways are there to check the condition of things? I have yet to tighten the s-box up, the center screw is almost level with the lock nut, so from what I remember there is only a pinch of adjustment left, right?
Opinions..
As always, your help is much appreciated!
Packrat56
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Shreveport, La.
Many, many components come into play and/or effect steering slack or play.
Every piece of material from the steering wheel on down the shaft and on out to the spindle and wheel bearings, as well as the tires.
Where to begin, you said it's all "stock", do you mean original? or OE type parts have been used on any repairs that you know of?
The steering wheel play you mention does sound excessive, but in need of more specific info as to parts conditions. You need to evaluate each piece for good/bad.
Are you running radials or old style biased tires, they can take you all over the road.
Every piece of material from the steering wheel on down the shaft and on out to the spindle and wheel bearings, as well as the tires.
Where to begin, you said it's all "stock", do you mean original? or OE type parts have been used on any repairs that you know of?
The steering wheel play you mention does sound excessive, but in need of more specific info as to parts conditions. You need to evaluate each piece for good/bad.
Are you running radials or old style biased tires, they can take you all over the road.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
From what I know I'd have to say its all original, tires are radials on 97 rims. I have no idea how many miles are on it, from its condition other wise, there likely are not several hundred k. Perhaps 100K. Door hinges look old and there is no drop, frame is not even rusty (and this is Oregon!) But things could have been cleaned up or replaced... I drive it to work every day and can't afford to do major work to it for a while. Where would I start checking componants? Sould I try to tighten up the box?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Shreveport, La.
Packrat, it's amazing if it's all original, not saying it isn't possible, but that would be very impressive.
Reason I asked, if parts are original, or have celebrated numerous birthdays, chances are very good there's some slack amongst them.
Is there any possibilty you either know someone or a shop you 'trust' in your area that you can take it to? Let them put in on a rack and check things out. I don't remember you mentioning your familiarity which such parts, if you are great, some things are just better checked in the air with tires/wheels hanging.
Or- It can be something as simple as wheel bearings, but that's a lot of play for that.
If you don't already, pick up some repair manuals, they can be a great help and time savers.
Reason I asked, if parts are original, or have celebrated numerous birthdays, chances are very good there's some slack amongst them.
Is there any possibilty you either know someone or a shop you 'trust' in your area that you can take it to? Let them put in on a rack and check things out. I don't remember you mentioning your familiarity which such parts, if you are great, some things are just better checked in the air with tires/wheels hanging.
Or- It can be something as simple as wheel bearings, but that's a lot of play for that.
If you don't already, pick up some repair manuals, they can be a great help and time savers.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
For the below activities a floor jack and jack stands are REQUIRED. Be Safe above all else.
Jack up one side using a floor jack. Put a pinch bar under the tire and lift slightly, id the tire has movement (The top of tire moving towards engine) that the kingpins need replaced.
While the drivers side is up grab the front and rear of the tire and move it as is it were turning, observe the drag ling if it seems loose it needs rebuilt (Check the ball ends at the wheel and pitman arm if rebuilding).
With the truck jacked up using a crossmember take a long bar, place under the axel and try and move the axel up and down, look at the spring attach points for movement, you should not be able to see much at all, if you do, replace the bushings and pins.
After all the above checks ok, any additional slop in the steering should be at the box.
Jack up one side using a floor jack. Put a pinch bar under the tire and lift slightly, id the tire has movement (The top of tire moving towards engine) that the kingpins need replaced.
While the drivers side is up grab the front and rear of the tire and move it as is it were turning, observe the drag ling if it seems loose it needs rebuilt (Check the ball ends at the wheel and pitman arm if rebuilding).
With the truck jacked up using a crossmember take a long bar, place under the axel and try and move the axel up and down, look at the spring attach points for movement, you should not be able to see much at all, if you do, replace the bushings and pins.
After all the above checks ok, any additional slop in the steering should be at the box.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
A lot can be helped with adding more caster to the front end. You can add pinion angle wedges between your front axle and your springs to give you more caster witch will make your truck go nice and strait. You should check all of your front end parts and king pins and alignment. Why these trucks lost their caster? The front springs have it built into them as they wear the will bend over the years loosing the caster angle and the truck will wonder.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg Canada
Every now and then on my 54, when turning, when you went to straighten the wheel out it would lock up on something, you'd have to turn it back slightly and then straighten out again, first time it did it, it literally scared the crap outta me! That can't be normal
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New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon
I have a 54 Ford tractor model 600. I had exactly the same problems as joners describes. Being a tractor and old I just lived and fought with it for about 2 years. Finally it became very bad, and I was in jeopardy of running down fences. The top bearing just below the steering wheel was beyond gone. Some of the ball bearings had been chewed up and had fallen down into the steering box, and the remaining ball bearings were square. I will bet your 54 has a very similar top bearing beneath the steering wheel. Suggest not letting it go 2 years like I did.
Mike
Mike
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