I'm working on a 1940 ford and intermitenly when I hit bumps in the road, the steering will shake like how a bad brake rotor shakes. It only does it while off the brakes. Any ideas? It seems to me that the gear box is too loose on the frame and its flexing, or the gear box is worn.
"gear box is too loose on the brake" What does this mean? I think you have worn or loose tie rod ends, shackles, steering gear, shocks, or all of the above. Maybe something needs tightened up (loose bolts)? Go around underneath tightening EVERYTHING, and replace all cotterpins. Get underneath and grab the tie rod. Shove it back and forth and front to back. See any movement? Have somebody push on the side of the car while you're underneath looking. Have somebody run the steering wheel back and forth while you watch. Have them jump on the bumper. Grab a wheel and shove side-to-side. Have you had the wheels balanced lately? Wouldn't hurt. You can either replace everything, or find the worn part that needs fixing.
Well all the tie rod ends are tight. I do not have any movement in the shackles. The king pins are tight a little loose in the left wheel bearing nothing too bad. There is some slop in the steering, it appears to be in the steering box. Not the pitman arm. I balanced the wheels, but if they were out of balance the problem would happen all the time it is not.
Hello, had to put a steering damper on mine. Its a horizontal shock that goes from the axle to the draglink. Four wheel drives use these too.regards,phred.
"some slop in the steering"... Might be a good place to the start addressing when resolving the issue. There is not any "slop" in a steering box.
Could be any of the items you mentioned.I just rebuilt the steering box in my truck.Was supprised to see how worn every thing was.New bushings might not fix the problem.My cross shaft was worn to the point i had grind and make oversize bushings.Burl.