My sloppy steering wheel

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KMcoldcars
Posts: 115
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:07 pm
First Name: Keith
Last Name: McGowan
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 coupelet
Location: Puyallup, Wa.

My sloppy steering wheel

Post by KMcoldcars » Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:28 pm

I had 4 inches of movement at the steering wheel before the tires would start to move. Now I have less than 1 inch of movement. I replaced the 3 pins that go in the steering shaft, the three pinion gears in the gear case and the gear in the center. It made quire a difference.
I own a 1936 Packard convertible sedan, a 1916 Model T coupelet, and a 2007 Mercedes Benz SL550 roadster.


John kuehn
Posts: 4433
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas

Re: My sloppy steering wheel

Post by John kuehn » Sat Jun 21, 2025 6:51 pm

That’s sound like you repaired a big part of the slack in your steering column. While your at it jack up the front end of your T and slowly turn the steering wheel from side to side. Watch closely the front end for looseness in the king pins, tie rod ends and the steering arm. You may be surprised if you see some looseness in those places.


speedytinc
Posts: 4725
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: karvaly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
Location: orange, ca
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: My sloppy steering wheel

Post by speedytinc » Sat Jun 21, 2025 7:48 pm

John kuehn wrote:
Sat Jun 21, 2025 6:51 pm
That’s sound like you repaired a big part of the slack in your steering column. While your at it jack up the front end of your T and slowly turn the steering wheel from side to side. Watch closely the front end for looseness in the king pins, tie rod ends and the steering arm. You may be surprised if you see some looseness in those places.
I do this test with the wheels down looking for worn steering components. Wheels up to check spindles & bearing slop.
The most overlooked worn bushing is the frame mounted bracket. The steering shaft will move side to side if worn.

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