I am running a stock 32 box on my 32 roadster with 32 heavy axle 4" drop and 37-41 spindles,with bolt on droparms. i just had my steering box rebuilt by early v8 garage. Richard informed me that using the "hoop style" steering arm is not as good as the original setup because the original steering arm puts the drag link 3/4" ahead of the axle center. What i am looking for is pics or info on modifying a "hoop"style arm to move the drag link connection 3/4" foward. Thanks in advance for your input.
i need one too for my roadster. the stock one is kind of a bent shape that fallows the stock drop of the axel and has a ball on the end for the drag link.
If you guys are using a traditional style front drum brake car might find that using the stock 32-4 spindles will greatly improve the steering of your car as well as eliminate the need to fabricate something new to work correctly with the original side steer box. The stock spindles have the drag link arm in the correct position and the steering arms do not have to be bent to clear the wishbones so the steer rate stays constant. By reaming a 7* taper half way into the bottom side of the tie rod and drag link spindle eyes you can reverse the position of the links from a top mount to a bottom mount. This gets the drag link angle reduced to help the bump steer and the tie rod to frame clearance increased to prevent it from rubbing on the cross member. Some spindle to hub spacers and and king pin modification and you are ready to roll. Cant do it with disc brake car until some one makes a disc bracket that bolts to the narrow style spindle backing plate bolt pattern.
****, With that, you also have to deal with the backing plate holes not lining up? Then maybe you're ready to roll, yes?
I believe it has something to do with where the gears in the steering box mesh when the car is going straight ahead. I saw something about it over on the ford barn. Maybe its not important if your not running a stock steering box. I'm speculating here.
I am running a stock 32 box. I understand that if i were to use a stock 32 drag link (fixed length) with the hoop style steering arm that the box would not be centered when the wheels are straight. But i am using an adjustable drag link (tierod) What i don't understand yet is why the drag link connection to the steering arm Should be 3/4" foward of axle center.....
The drag link angles in and so is not parallel to the center line of the car. Ford made the arm on the spindle so it angled forward so a 90 degree angle was made between the arm and the drag link. A new arm on the spindle that is not angled will make the car steer to the left when the steering box is centered. An adjustable drag link will fix it. It is very important to get the steering box centered because you will have slop if not.
So, should I modify the hoop style arm to have the drag link connection 3/4" ahead. Or just use the adjustable drag link, center the box with the wheels straight and don't worry about it? I hope I am not sorry that spent the $ to rebuild my stock 32 box versus going to F1...... There must be others that are running the 32 box with 37-41 spindles ....
I had thought it was because on a left turn the driver-side spindle is on the inside, so needs to turn more than when it is on the outside of a right turn. But your idea makes more sense. Maybe it's a little of both? Either way, I agree with **** that the early spindles would be the answer. Hydraulic brakes take a little extra work to mount, and need a spacer 'kit'. If that just isn't an option, maybe one of the Superbell(?) bolt-on steering arms could be modified to do the job - ***uming they're forged and not cast?
The way I see it, you are only going to "feel" the problem at extreme left and right turns. Like you'll get a right turn 1.5 degrees sharper than a left turn. Is that really worth the worry? But, I do plan on using '32 spindles on my next project.
I too run a dropped axle on my 32 with stock steering box and hoop style bolt on steering arm with 37-41 spindles. I fabricated an adjustable drag link to center everything up and all is fine & well and system performs as intended.
It is not worth the h***le to modify the arm. Just adjust the drag link. I am staying with the 32 box in my 32. I sold the F-1 boxes I had. I did put in 33-34 gears in the box. I like the way it steers. I did put in a real seal on the sector so I have zero leaks. I am planning an upgrade with 36 right hand gears at some time.
ANDY, "I did put in a real seal on the sector so I have zero leaks." Did you find a seal to fit the sector and the stock groove, or did you machine the groove to fit a seal that was close? If you found a seal to fit, would you please share the source and part number? Thank you.
I filled the end of the housing with JB Weld and machined it for a seal. I did not have to cut any metal. The seal is 1 3/8 x 1 1/8 x 1/8. The 36 gears did not work out.
I noticed that some of you on other threads are commenting on the problems with putting later brakes on early 32/34 spindles. If you have the resources, in our shop we've done several conversions using the Lincoln backing plates, hubs and drums from M/T products. It's a bolt on using the hub spacer from Early V8 Garage and the M/T backing plates with the early spindle bolt pattern and minor grinding on the top of the spindle. Excellent brakes and an old timey look.
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