After 3 summers of reworking and restoring, I'm driving my 53 half ton around as an around town daily driver vehicle. I'm generally satisfied with it, but I'd like to tighten up the steering a bit. When I get out on the highway, the truck has what I like to call road wander. It just drifts around more than I would like. I didn't rebuild anything related to the steering, I just cleaned everything up and put it back together. I don't mind getting back into it, I'm just curious and hoping that maybe some of you can advise me on the most likely places to start.
Last edited by Gdads51; 11/15/20255:33 PM. Reason: add detail to title
Mike Burns 1940 Chev 1/2 ton 1953 Chev 1/2 ton 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe 1947 Indian Chief 1943 Indian 741
With the front wheels on the ground, have a helper rock the steering wheel back and forth. Touch each link in the steering system feeling for movement. Repair what moves.
Adjust endplay in the steering box worm bearings according to the shop manual.
Adjust sector gear lash in the steering box according to the shop manual.
Are the proper caster shims installed between the front springs and the front axle?
A Stovebolt isn't going to steer like your 2023 Toyota.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
I'm sure he and I are both assuming that you have new shock absorbers, new tires/wheels, and that all steering components have fresh grease.
I drive Ol' Roy all over town and mostly on the interstate. I can let go of the wheel at high speed and it tracks straight as a die. Going over bumps doesn't send the steering wheel all over the place.
Before I replaced the shocks and tires, it did bounce all over the place while driving.
What size and type of tire are you using? Bias plies will wander.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Lots of good info in those replies. I'll give them a try. For what it's worth, I did put proper shims at the axle locations. All appropriate spots in the front are greased well. I have new 6:50 X 16 bias ply tires on good original rims. It also has new shocks front and rear. I did try to set the toe in with a homemade setup. I doubt that it's perfect, but I think it's close. I'll have my local guy put it on his alignment rack, and set it up. I'm not expecting it to handle like a modern truck. I have a 1940 half ton truck that I restored a long time ago. I rebuilt or replaced about everything related to steering on it. Everything that I could find parts for that is. The 40 truck steers a little harder, but otherwise feels much tighter and does not wander around on the road. So, I'm just guessing that a 53 truck in decent shape should probably handle as well as a 1940. I will be looking into this soon, and all of you have given me some good ideas on what to try first, and I thank you.
Last edited by Mike Burns; 11/15/20259:13 PM.
Mike Burns 1940 Chev 1/2 ton 1953 Chev 1/2 ton 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe 1947 Indian Chief 1943 Indian 741
Yes mike, your truck should handle perfectly fine if everything is adjusted properly. It sounds like checking each point in the linkage as first suggested is the route you must now take and look for any play. And of course be sure that the front end alignment is correct
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
