Front Spring and steering wobble

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2010: Front Spring and steering wobble
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dion Rinaldi on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 08:15 pm:

Hello again. I am still hunting for cause of severe steering wobble on my car as mentioned on this forum previously. Recently had a drive of another T and it had exactly the same problem.

I have sorted a lot of items and now think that the front spring and shackles may be an issue.

The parts book says the Perch bush and spring eye bush are the same (P/N T3820) This is not the case on my car the Perch bush is .640" OD while the spring bush is .775 OD. Also it may be that the shackles I have may have been home made over the years as there is only 1" of bearing shaft and the bushes are 1.5" long so part of the bush is on the thread.
I'll order a new set of shackles and bushes but can someone advise why my bushes are different sizes and not as per the parts book. Obviously I'll have to turn up one bush.

Also - does anyone know whether the set of the spring may cause any steering issues. I can get it re-set if there is a need, how do I check?

Any help would be great - I'm still a newbee!!

Kind regards Dion - Australia.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Jablonski on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 08:40 pm:

Steering wobble indicates something loose.

You're on the right track in checking shackles for free movement & perch nut being tight.

Spring issue ?>? Check spring center bolt head top be square in the frame clamp.

My problem was loose spindle bolts. De-cottered the bolt & loosened, tightened the bolt almost a full turn, tightened nut & cottered. ...... no more wobble or shudder.

Advantageous to clean & grease wheel bearings, & adjust bearings. Check play in tie rod bushings & also steering bracket bushings.

When is specs & well lubricated, steering will be just as good as a new "T" !!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Houston on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 09:01 pm:

Check every potential place for movement from the wheel bearings to the steering wheel, then remove all the slop you can.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 10:00 pm:

Fred has summarized it very well. When I jacked the front end of my new touring off the floor a year and a half ago, the front wheels flopped around like a bobble-head doll. The solution was new spindle pins and bushings, new shackles and bushings, etc., etc. Problem solved.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael a flynn on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 10:04 pm:

My 26 tudor had a front end wobble that went away when I rebuilt the rear spring bushings. I know this doesn't make sense. I haven't done anything to the steering or front axle.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By willie k cordes on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 11:31 pm:

A severe front end wobble at very slow speeds seems to be a problem on a lot of T's. Speeding up and turning the Steering wheel sharply to the right of left see to eliminate the wobble. Tightening the spindle bolts is a temporary fix. A total front end rebuilt usually fixes the wobble.
If the wobble is at speeds over 10MPH, you probably need to look at the front end alignment.
If you do not have the wheels slightly toed in on the front, the T will wander all over the road.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By willie k cordes on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 11:32 pm:

A severe front end wobble at very slow speeds seems to be a problem on a lot of T's. Speeding up and turning the Steering wheel sharply to the right of left see to eliminate the wobble. Tightening the spindle bolts is a temporary fix. A total front end rebuilt usually fixes the wobble.
If the wobble is at speeds over 10MPH, you probably need to look at the front end alignment.
If you do not have the wheels slightly toed in on the front, the T will wander all over the road.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 11:43 pm:

My lizzy had it too. I rebushed/rebuilt absolutely every connection in the front end. Bit by bit, the low speed wobble after a bump got better. The last thing that helped a lot was the new spring shckles/bushings front rear. Now it only does it rarely and seems to be only when there are rear passengers in the touring.

I have seen model As do this too.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Monday, August 30, 2010 - 12:03 pm:

The spring and perch bushings are the same. Maybe your spring is off something else.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dion Rinaldi on Monday, August 30, 2010 - 04:56 pm:

Thanks to everyone for all the assistance.
Larry - You may be right - the spring I have has only 5 leaves but looks exactly the same shape and size as the limited number of other T springs I have seen. As long as it works OK I don't mind the number of leaves, and I can make a bush for it no problem, as soon as my new shackles arrive.

Thanks again
Dion. Australia


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stroud on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 02:40 am:

If you get a shimmy in the front end, try just letting loose of the steering wheel slightly. Someone mentioned this on the forum a while back. It works for me. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Faccin on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 02:47 am:

Dave,

I know that works on a airplane if you lose control, but I have never tried it on a T! :-)


Add a Message


This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Username:  
Password:

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration