VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 54 steering

My 54 is hard to turn at low speed and doesn't want to self-center. The car has 670/15 bias ply tires. Is this a steering box or other problem?

Check the condition of the center link, tie rods, and other steering components for wear and looseness. Once you have determined that they are ok, check suspension parts, A arms etc. With a wheel off the ground and vehicle supported on stable stand or block (not cement) pull, push, wiggle top and bottom of the tire/wheel. Note if any excessive play. You will get a little in the bearings which is normal but more than that is a problem! While the wheels are off the ground check the steering by moving the wheel 1/2 turn either direction from straight ahead. Note any noise, resistance or play. If all that is ok then check the toe-in to make sure the front of the wheels are a bit closer than the back. Neutral or toe-out produce wander, hard steering and failure to center. Caster and camber also effect those properties. If you can't find the problem easily take it to an experienced front end man. Someone that remembers working on vehicles without power steering. They will all be over 50 years old.

..."hard to turn at low speeds and does not self center"...Frozen king pins. Very common on these if they did not recieve frequent chassis lubrication. Way to test. Raise wheels off ground. With weight off you should be able to turn the steering wheel with no resistance.
Cure is to try to lube king pins. I would bet that you will not be able to pump grease through them. Our mechanics used to heat the area with a torch and try to force grease through. I would suggest replacing the king pins, They have full floating bushings so a reamer is not required.
While your at it I would top off the steering gear with 140 gear oil. If it leaks wait a bit and top it off again with chassis grease. The 140 gear oil will seep into all the tight places so start with that first.