MTFCA Forum

Since sprucing up my '26 Roadster for my Granddaughter's graduation party, I have been driving it quite a bit. I am trying to fine tune some aspects of the car and this led me to steering issues. I discovered a worn ball and cap where the drag link attaches to the tie rod. I replaced them and decided to check the toe-in. It measured at a whopping 5/8". The tie rod is already as short as it can get with only a thread or two showing.
I have owned this car for 59 years and know it's history back to 1953. I think every part of the axle assembly is original to the car. All bushings, bolts etc. have been replaced. Nothing is bent or has signs of previous trauma.
I have driven this car quite a bit throughout my ownership but mostly at tractor shows and around our farm. Only since the fix-up has it been on the road in earnest. I have driven it 200-300 miles and it does seem to hunt for the fences a little bit. Not having much T experience "on the road", I had not given it much thought. Now I'm thinking that if I can get this corrected, it might drive better.
What could be out of whack?

Mike

5/8 is too much. I'm guessing you have mis-matched parts or a bent spindle arm. Normal wear would make the tie rod shorter, not longer. Caster angle is very important to good roadability. A Model T will handle very nicely when the steering parts are in good order. There should be very little to no free play at the steering wheel. I'd see how much further you can shorten the tie rod before changing any parts. It won't take much adjustment at the tie rod ends to reduce the toe in. It's best to check toe in after letting the car come to a rolling stop on level ground. If the car rolls backward, it will likely increase the toe in, giving a false reading. Also, check wheel bearing adjustment and be sure the wheels are straight and tight. A wheel with run-out will give a false toe in reading, and a wheel with loose spokes will probably do the same. Always measure toe in with the wheels straight ahead. When they are turned left or right, toe in increases.

I'm betting on a bent spindle arm as well.

How are you measuring your toe-in? It pays to jack the car and rotate each wheel, scribing a mark around the centre of the tread. You can measure from these marks. This will take care of runout in the wheels, the tyres and the way the rims are mounted, giving you a more accurate indication of the actual runout.
Allan from down under.

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:01 pm

I'm betting on a bent spindle arm as well.

Was thinking along these too. Pictures always help

I'll check this stuff out and get back to you. Thanks everyone.

Mike