Just got a 51 F1 with a 3' dropped axle. It has some bad bump steer. The drag link is at an angle. What can I do to get it parallel again? Who sells a dropped steering arm for these trucks? Should I raise the steering box?
Check Nostalgia Sids. I think he has spacers, if not he can hook you up. www.droppedaxles.com/ "Nostalgia Sid's in Guthrie Oklahoma drops I-beam axles from 1926-1964 for Chevrolet Ford and Dodge. We specialize in axle, spindles, steering arms and tie "...
LOL Sprout, "got bump steer . . . should I raise the box?" Seb, "raise the box probably the best way" Sprout, "Exhaust manifold is in the way" Sorry that's just funny I don't care who you are.
P'nB, you are slipping. That won't cure the bumpsteer. It may help ball joint angles, but the basic problem is still the angular line between the two end points. Need to either change location of the steering arm end or the box end top bring them back in line more parallel with the original. Since the box end can't go up, the fix is to lower the steering arm end.
Won't fix the root cause, but you might want to add one of those "bump steer eliminators" or "steering stabilizers" like SoCal carries to take the edge off.
He's talking about the ends of the drag link. The concept is parallel planes and it brings the perspective or orientation back to where it was. When you lift the hell out of one you have the same problem as when you drop one. The relationship between the box end of the steering arm and the axle end of the steering arm has changed and needs to be addressed. All that BS aside @38Chevy454 makes good logical sense. The old school ( forgive the term please) was to heat and bend the steering arm. Seldom does the box get moved unless it is one of those complete build it and install a box deals then it really isn't moved it is just installed in the right place to start with.
The steering box can be moved if hitting a tree or telephone pole at the correct speed, but the way I did mine is heat it at the arm on the spindle back, bend it down till it is where you are happy with it, and let it cool. Mine has been on the road 5 years with no bump steer. Sids 3inch dropped axle, 2 inch reversed eye springs.
heat, heat, heat, bend, bend, I tell ya.. horizontal steering dampener ain't gonna do it. the geometry is wrong..
LOL a damper won't cure death wobble either. First fix what is wrong before you ad something else to the mix, always.