I just had my 55 aligned today and am wandering about the volare steering box. is the input shaft supposed to move in and out (the motor is off) when the steering shaft is turned? When I drove the truck home it seemed to wander and dart all over the place.
One thing that could be wrong is I had to use the 235/75 R15 tires. These are the tires that I used with the straight axle. these tires are mounted on the stock wheels, kind of large.
The old box that I removed from the donor car, the input shaft moved in and out (this was on the bench) I hused this for a core.
I should add that Iv'e replaced all the parts except the torsion bar bushings and ends.

Any ideas would help

Thanks
dennis

 

Absolutely not! You have a serious issue with that box, the input shaft is held in place with a large flat nut that provides the bearing pre-load and holds the shaft in place. What seems to be happening when you turn the wheel is that the worm shaft is pushing back instead of turning the sector shaft. The nut may just be loose...if it wasn't doing this BEFORE your alignment then I would have the alignment shop do some explaining.

 

Today was the first time I drove the truck with the volare front end. I noticed the input shaft moved in and out when I installed it. The old box did the same but I never drove the donor car. don"t know if that was normal for this brand. I have a Dodge truck but it's in storage with 2 feet of snow on it.
Guess i will take it out and back to shucks auto parts

 

What specs did the alignment shop use to align the front end? Too little positive caster will cause wandering and darting as you describe. A little oversteer is common for the Volare steering box. I have to retrain myself every time I drive my 48 to move the steering wheel as little as possible. It's a little sensitive and takes a little getting used to...

 

For those who have the Volarie...what alignment specs did you use for best results.....I would image that the donor specs are not favorable for the truck. Dennis could use these specs. Shouldn't a good alignment shop have spotted that loose shaft from the box? hmmmm.

 

There is a specific alignment specification recommended in the NO-Limit Volare install tape but I can't put my hands on it at the moment. It is slightly different from the car alignment specs. Maybe someone else has it handy...

 

Well I looked at the No Limit dvd and the specs that they recomed

NO-LIMIT
Caster rt .75 lft .75
Camber rt .50 lf .50
Toe in .12

My align specs caster rt 1.7 lf 1.9
camber rt 0.1 lf 0.4
toe in .12
this migh be part of the steering problem.
I did check the thrust on the input shaft and it moves about .075 of an inch. must be something wrong in the box. I did check the top nut and it appeared tight.

Dennis

 

Actually, IMHO I think the settings you have look pretty good in spite of No-Limit's recommendation. More positive caster should make your truck wander and dart less. Is it possible to use smaller tires up front? That might help too as 235:75 is pretty big for the front. A 215 or 225 might be better. If you do decide to go with smaller tires up front, change them before you get it realigned if you decide realignment is necessary. However, I don't think the alignment specs are that far off to cause the problems you are having. I'd look further into that steering box...

 

My rebuilt box from pep boys has had the input shaft movement for seven years. My truck does not wander on the road. Do a search Walford's56 had the same issue of wandering on the road. I dont remember what he did to resolve the issue.

 

I think I would put new tires on the front (no wear from other suspension) and find out why you have so little camber on the right side. Like Vern said they are sensitive to driver input. If you drive a vehicle with rack and pinion steering for your daily it does take a little time to adapt to the Volare type steering. I have P215-70R-15 with 7 inch wheels and a 3 1/2 offset on the front of mine when I replace the tires they will be with a P225. Mine is a 56 F100 with a Volare front end and Fatman dropped spindles.

Chuck

 

I talked to the mechanic who did the alignment and he said that was the best way due to the crown of rhe roads we have here in Alaska. the only reason the large tires were on is that was all I have at this time. I will be buying some new ones soon.
I removed the steering box and will return it monday and try this again.
Maybe I should break out the shovel and dig out my dodge pickup to see what end play that box has.
I sure thank all of you for any ideas, they all help.

Dennis

 

I have ordered new wheels and the tires arrived yesterday. Goint to put 205/70 15 that should help the wander. in the meantime I am at a standstill. Guess i could check the steering box again.