MAKING BEST USE OF THE FORD.
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Valuable Advice on Every Phase of Ford Transport which will Appeal to the Owner,
Driver and
Repairer.
452.—Overhauling the Steering.
When a van or truck comes in with the steering very slack it would seem a simple matter to effect a good repair, the mechanic generally checking the play in the ball joints of the steering gear connecting rod, testing for wear in the bolts and bushes of the spindle connecting rod and for wear in the bolts and bushes of the spindle body. After this defective parts are replaced or taken up as considered necessary. When road-testing a vehicle which has gone through these operations, it is often found to be considerably better, but still the steering does not seem to be all that it should.
Actually there is more in the work than would appear on the surface, especially when dealing with old models, and it is suggested that the points should be checked in the manner referred to below.
Jack up the two axles clear of the floor, test for play in the hubs, wear in the spindle bolts and bushes, in the connecting-rod ball joint and the bolts and bushes of the spindle connecting rod.I If the truck be fairly old, check for slackness of the ball arm on the steering post, also for excessive wear in the reduction-gear pinions of the steering gearbox, especially if previous tests have not shown enough wear to account for the bad steering. Test the front radius-rod nuts for slackness; a little here will not be noticeable unless expressly looked for, but on a rough road the axle will be continually jolting backwards and forwards. If the ball at the rear be worn this will also allow excessive axle movement.
It is possible that the spring perches may be reversed. This trouble is .easily recognizable by examining the spring. If a wrong perch has been installed, the bottom or main leaf will be wrung slightly in advance of or behind the other leaves, consequently straining the front axle. There is a little boss on the top of each perch extending to about half the width of the top: The fiat side of this boss should face towards the front of the chassis in each case . Finally, try the wheels for camber and gather, especially after the vehicle has had a few years' service, or if there is reason to believe that the driver has been at all careless with regard to hitting kerbs, etc The wheels should toe in about in. at the front, whilst Oamber or flare at the top should not exceed 3 ins, The gather is adjustable by means of the spindle connecting rod, but any excessive difference in the camber points to a strained axle.
A_ useful gaugeforrn checking the camber and gather of the Ford—and, incidentally, practically any other vehicle —can easily be made from two pieces of wood, about 3 ft. long, 21 ins, wide and
in. thick, these being made into a pair of callipers by hinging them together with a bolt baying two washers and a fly nut. The wood should be shaped to resemble the legs of inside callipers. A gauge made like this will easily clear any underhanging obstruc tions when measuring at the back of the wheels, where it is of ten impossible to use a straight rod.
453.—A Temporary Repair to a Steering Track Rod.
While travelling from St. Albans to Ealing at midnight on a Ford van, one of our readers had the misfortune to experience a breakage in the centre of the steering track rod, and at that time of night no spares could be obtained. However, a temporary repair was effected by inserting the broken ends of the rd into a box-spanner of suitable size which, luckily, formed part Of the tool kit.
Also included in the equipment of the vehicle was a long length of stout cord similar to that used for window sashes. This was passed over the fork of each yoke end of the rod and then wound tightly round the spanner, extending to about 3 ins. from each end of this. This both held the broken ends of the track rod in position and prevented the spanner from moving, and the expedient was sufficiently satisfactory to enable the journey to be completed.
454.—Front-wheel Wobble.
Much has been written about this trouble, and it is sometimes pronounced in certain Ford vehicles, particularly 1-ton models equipped with heavy bodies of English make.
One of our readers has control of a large fleet of vehicles of which 16 are of Ford make. He found that when driving along an average road at 1245 m.p.h. wobble would set in in certain cases, sometimes so badly that there was no alternative but to pull up and make a fresh start, until perhaps another pothole, or even a stone, would set up the Nobble again.
In an endeavour to cure the trouble, the front axles were set in various positions and offset stub axles were tried without avail. Finally a solution was found in employing longer, spindle arms, or stub-axle arms as they are known in English parlance.
The experimental pair was made cf nearly double length, and the effect was extraordinary, the steering wheel giving perfect contra, but there was, of course, a difference in the lock, but this was not found detrimental. In actual practice heavier wheels are fitted, and, as a matter, of fact, rear wheels are attached to the front hubs and tyres of the same size fitted all round.
455.—Clearing the Drainplug Hole.
Should the threaded portion of the crankcase drain-plug hole become damaged and a proper tap be not available, obtain a new plug, taper off the leading threads and file a few clearance eas across the threads, after which the plug should be case-hardened.
This will he found .quite effective unless the threads have been very severely damaged. B41