Ok I have a 64 F100 2wd and have slowly been rebuilding the front end. Started with new king pins and what a difference! Then I put new bushings in the front springs and frame. Tires and brakes all new also. I greased everything up too. Problem is, when I hit a big bump the whole front end begins to shake violently. You can feel it in the steering wheel, column the whole cab. The shaking doesn't stop until I stop the truck. Then everything is ok again until another big bump. So what do yous guys think? Tie rods, drag link? Steering box is untouched and shocks need replacing to. I haven't had it aligned yet and was gonna wait till everything was done. Lastly, anyone recommend a good alignment shop in Sacramento area? Any help would be great. Thanks
Shocks would be first on my list. Then if more than 2" free movement at the steering wheel rim either adjust,if possible,or repair the box.
You can try a horizontal shock(steering stabalizer). This should take the wooble out. Also when you go to the alignment shop get your caster reading from them. It should be about 5 degrees or so. If not this could be your real problem.
Do a search for "Wobble".There are a number of threads on the HAMB that will give you all kinds of good information on the subject.
The dreaded "Death Wobble". Do a search and read for hours... Usually has to do with the harmonics in the rotating m*** of a straight axle front end. Just for grins, swap out the front wheels/tires for a test run and see if it goes away???
Don't think the stabilizer would work. We are talking about scary, wheels gonna fall off wobble. Very violent! Im thinking snow ball effect with replacing worn parts as you go. The steering boxes arnt really adjustable on this truck. It will be the last thing I fix due to money issues. Id really like to keep the manual steering but use another box from something more plentiful. Parts for mine are NOS only replacements.
All good advice but the steering stabilizer. That is a bandade at best, find and fix the issue. If nothing is loose get it aligned and report back.
sounds like your steering box bolts are sheared at the frame. you can look all day and never tell it,but it is not unusal for the old fords.
" I haven't had it aligned yet and was gonna wait ........." It's alignment. most likely the toe. You can check that easily with a tape measure.
I had the same problem on my Willys coupe. At the right (wrong) speed it would nearly rip the wheel out of my hands. I fixed it completely by reducing the caster from 10 degrees to seven degrees - it could be even less but I ran out of adjustment - AND adding a steering damper from FieroParts.com. Many OEM applications with a straight axle use steering dampers, including my Cl*** A motorhome.
How do I check with a tape measure? Ill get it aligned first. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Well work and family has kept me busy, so no progress yet. But i am on my way to pick up my new tie rods, drag link and shocks! Now to find the time to install it all.....
been there......seems pretty common on Ford trucks. Is this a straight axle or the twin I-beam? If its the twin I-beam type.....its the strut rod bushings and/or alignment(caster). If its a straight axle then its probably an alignment issue(caster).
Tie rod ends or drag link or both, I don't recall if that front end has them but if it does idler arms will also cause that problem.
Replace/tighten up all that is loose and/or worn in the suspension and steering system, get it properly aligned and let us know if it still is a problem.
Have you modified the truck at all? Even a change in tire sizes (more rake in front) will throw the caster off. You definitely need that alignment. You say the steering box is not adjustable, but you are wrong. The sector-to-worm is adjustable easily with the side bolt. If the worm bearings are worn, you can adjust with a change in gasket thickness on the end plate.
Get it aligned. More than likely the "toe-in" measurement is out of whack. You can do set the toe at home. Do a search here or on google for tons of info on how to do it Bobby
I had one do the same thing, after replacing all the steering parts,the steering box adjustment fixed it! Good luck! thats a scary problem!!!
Thanks for all the i=tips so far guys. alchemy, I have always been told adjusting that bolt would cause more damage than good to an old box, but I will check it out. As far as rake, Its a tail dragger right now. I flipped the rear, but havent lowered the front yet. Keep in mind, this only started AFTER I installed the new front leaf bushings. I got my new tie rods, shocks and drag link yesterday. So as they go in, I will align her and keep you all posted.
How are your tires? My friend had the same issue on his truck and after going through the entire front end it was worn out tires. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
How are your tires? My friend had the same issue on his truck and after going through the entire front end it was worn out tires. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
The root cause is ac***ulated play from probably many sources. First, have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you lay under it and check every joint, shackle, box to frame etc for play. Adjust the steering box like someone here already said (worm gear 1st via shims and sector via side screw). Tighten wheel bearings set the toe at 1/8 in or so and grease it while it's jacked up. Too much caster like someone here said could contribute but it'd have to be pretty high to make it death wobble. I've done this stuff every day for 40 years.....And a steering dampner will help/fix it, but you're not addressing the cause of the problem. Tony
So today my buddy and I worked on the front to my truck. Before we changed out any parts we checks the alignment and the toe was in 1/2"! We adjusted it to 1/8" toe and figured we give it a try. I drive it and no more wobble!! Who would have thought that slight adjustment would make such a difference. We then swapped out new tie rod ends shocks and drag link. Drives like a Cadi Thanks for everyone's input. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
"Fenders" called it first back in November in post 11. What does he win? Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Man it's been awesome driving it. What a difference since 2008 when I first got it. Now I just need to lower the front to match the rear. Amazing how well the steering box feels now that I've replaced everything. Rebuilding it should be pretty easy. It's been a mile stone too cause now everything under the cab is brand new from front to back. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Glad you found the problem and thanks for coming back and letting us know what it was. That is how we all learn. Don
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