This isn't a total solution for your problem but when I use an old vega box, I take it apart and wash it out good with gas and then I fill it with STP. It sure makes them steer easier.
A picture would be great! I put a Vega box in my A. I used 2X4 3/16 box to build the frame. I pinched the front of the frame to have the same width as the radiator shell. Not much room there. I cant imagine the Pinto engine is much bigger than a stock A.
I have dual springs on the front not the transverse. I don't think that is the problem. I had to move the motor mount. That was where the Vega box had to go. Fuel pump had to go and I have an electric pump. Going down the road it steers like a dream. Shims go above and below the axle mounts that I machined to get the caster set. The mounts are cut so they capture the shape of the axle.
To me by pics , angles are wrong ,drag link( cross steer) & steer arms to short , others will chime in now there's pics, Try /test with same size tire's
I think you have too much Toe out.....LOL Serious are those "spring Mounts on the axle" temporary? I am no steering expert but with parallel leave springs is it advisable for cross steering? sI could see the force used to turn pushing against the shackles & bushings causing wear and a loose front end. Why use a 40 Ford axle & try to convert it from a Transverse spring to parallel leaves?
This is a picture under the car. Motor mount and steering box with pitman arm. Bought the box from Speedway as a kit. I bought the dropped pitman arm.
My Mother always told me: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I'm out.
I see '37-'41 round back spindles with the as forged steering arms and a GM pitman arm and I run the same exact pieces on my '32 coupe with no issues. On the other hand, as mentioned by geoford I also agree and don't think it wise to run cross steering with your parallel leaves. Another concern are what appear to be bolts rather than u-bolts on the spring plates. Might just be the photo but those bolts don't look beefy enough.
My advice would be to stop, just stop right there. The whole thing is a mess and shouldn't be on the road. Please, before you kill yourself or someone else, take the car to somebody who knows what they are doing. IMO the whole thing needs to come apart and be redone. By someone else, qualified and knowledgeable enough to do it right.
The way the box is mounted looks scary. Not to bash you, I've done some admittedly sketchy stuff at times, that if somebody had pointed out a better way, would have prevented me from continuing. Your set up falls into that category. I mean this in the best possible way.
I thank everyone for your comments and suggestions. It is 2 degrees here. I will continue next spring.
Can't wait - but seriously need big picture pictures to see what is really going on. The closeups don't give enough information. Take a couple of quick shots and then get back inside next to the fire.
The original Model a suspension is about as simple and straight forward as you can get. The parts to create a similar suspension with modern brakes and steering is about the easiest setup you can go with. I'm all for being creative...and in this case you have thought outside the box...but in the process, wedged yourself into a corner with no easy way out. That can happen very easily and usually it snowballs as you go. We have ALL been there as we learn and experiment! This needs going back to the bare rails and get re-setup for a transverse spring and Model A compatible axle location. Once you commit to that, everything you need is available for a safe suspension and steering setup. Thats the route you need to take. Seriously.
This may sound dumb but the kingpin bearings must go under the axle or the friction under the load of the car will be a huge problem.
I built this the other day. It fits inside the frame to stop the flexing. 2 x 4 tube steel 3/16 inch thick.
I agree with Hackerbilt. Start all over with your Front suspension. Your bracket for the Vega box is scary. I've built a lot of Model A's & 32 Fords and have boxed frames with Vega steering with out problems. The transverse spring works great.
Really? A guy is looking for help, getting decent advice and you think it should be deleted? Being a "featured thread" isn't a decision by anyone you know. It has to do with the site software settings.
Yeah, that was a bit harsh. I admire Chucksue for not getting his feelings hurt over the universal condemnation the front end of the car, and trying to figure out a better way, but I'm not sure the bracket he's come up with is going to fix all that looks like is wrong with it. It looks like to me that the frame will be prevented from flexing at the box itself, but the load will all be put on the frame beyond the end of the box bracket. Or, I could be wrong and it'll work...
Nothing tickles my fancy more than watching a thread get hijacked, morphed, and turn into something completely unexpected and useful. Nice work there!
This set up is like Baskin Robbins, 31 flavor of wrong. The likelihood of this failing and getting someone hurt is off the scale. The effort involved with even attempting at getting these parts together far exceeds the effort and expense of doing it correctly. What is this ??? A 35 up-ish wishbone end with some sort of rod end bolted into it?
After looking at your front end and all of the pictures I have to agree with the rest of the sentiment here. This should be a deleted thread, not a featured thread. What a cobbled up mess. poorly executed is being kind. Maybe this is a featured thread as an example of how not to design - build a car. I have a suggestion, take it all apart and use proper components, build it safely and correctly. Either that or sell it to a scrap dealer.
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