Technical F1 Scary touchy steering. Opinions welcome.

I've seen an F-1 in my area with power steering (I don't know what type) and he has an electtric pump from a European make car. He said he didn't want a PS pump hung on his dressed flathead. I would think a pump like that would be adjustable, and you could hide it anywhere.

Gary

 

I used the straight shaft from junk yard column , for shaft . For a bearing at the bottom of the mast , there are bearings in the end of the drum type garage door springs . 2 in OD and 3/4 or 1 in ID . They cost about 4 bucks and work as if they were made for a Hot Rod .

 

I had the Toyota 4x4 box on my old '54 panel when I bought it. It had a Ford pump (390 FE) and it was too touchy for me. I ended up putting a used Heidts adjustable power steering valve on it and made it better. It had the stock column into a u joint then to the box.

Don't want to post pics as dangerously close or over the line here, that's why I posted the repairs on the Ford Truck site.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/971034-53-56-f100-column-repair.html

 

thanks...

 

The power assist cylinder looks to be dangerously close to be below the scrub line . Not sure can’t see well enough but it is below the axle not a good spot . No matter which way you decide to go , the assist needs to leave . Way too many issues .

 

OT '70s Cadillac tilt and tele.

 

We got it on a lift and I got a closer look- everything became very clear.

The hydraulic block at the end of the drag link was grinding/sliding along the frame rail back and forth. Not enough to gouge, but enough to stay in contact. When turning left, the drag link would slide that sucker up to the leaf spring mount and all the rivets etc... It would literally lock onto it and keep it from moving forward unless to jiggled/forced it. NOT good. That alone was enough for me to tell him to nix it. Plus theres the rubbing hoses, weird ratio...

I had him get a stock drag link- all the PS stuff is coming off.

 

Not only is it a poor design, but an idiot installed it. It’s good he came to you. Might have saved his life.

 

He yanked it all out and went back to stock and it's a night and day difference. Says it drives great!