VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 1934 Standard Steering Questions

I may or may not need to adjust the steering in my '34 so before I do anything I could use some advise/directions on what to do. I have taken it for a couple of short drives in the neighborhood the past couple of weeks. This is the first time it has been driven since restoration was begun by my father-in-law and completed by me. I do not know what, if anything, he did to the steering box. He was a very good mechanic so I can only assume that he did anything that he thought was needed.

It does seem to steer a bit hard (a bit more than my '64 vintage blue oval car). I also notice that after turning, it does not want to return to center like what I am used to. I have to turn it back to center which it does easily. Both of these may just be the way steering was in 1934 (I don't have any experience driving this age car).

It is not a problem to drive but I am a bit concerned that it needs some adjustment. Or it could be a lubrication issue. So what lube does the steering box require? I see the grease fitting on top of the box. My manual says lube with "heavy oil" every 500 miles.

I guess it also might be tire pressure (will check) or alignment (toe-in/out?). Is there a way to check this myself by measuring?

If the things above check out, can I "loosen" the steering adjustment? I know how to do this (or tighten) on my '64 blue oval but have no experience with a Chevy.

I have a "Chevrolet Six Car & Truck" repair manual by Victor Page which has a good description of the steering components but it does not address loosening the steering.

I guess the best way to check all this would be to have one of you who is familiar with this age car to give it a test drive so you are invited to my house anytime. Hopefully you would tell me that's the way they drove in '34.

Thanks ahead for any advice/suggestions!!

A major part of the steering "self centering" is done by the castor which is the angle the king pin leans towards the rear of the car like shopping trolley wheels, have the pivot point ahead of the actual wheel to road contact point.
As this is generally only between 1/2 and 1 degree you will need special equipment to set correctly but a quick test is to place a shim of 1/8" metal between the spring and the axle but only at the rear "U bolt" allowing the axle to clamp tight directly to the spring at the front on both sides of the car.
If this works find a wheel aligner that has knowledge to set correctly.
Tony

Anyone else able to help me with the concerns expressed in my first post, this topic, would still be much appreciated! Thanks for taking your time to reply!

I have seen posts on this forum by some real sharp fellows that John Deere corn head grease is the thing to use in the steering sector. I haven't tried it yet but intend to. It is a "flowable" grease designed for gear cases.

I would raise up the car so the wheels clear the pavement. Then turn the front wheels by hand from side to side or turn with the steering wheel They should move easily, If they don't you may have a king pin that is frozen. I assume you pumped grease through the fittings. To be sure it is a king pin remove one end of the drag link to eleminate the steering gear.
For the steering gear I would bet the old grease is as hard as a carp. I would fill with some 140 gear oil which should flow into the bushings where as the heavy grease will not do this. I can assure you that it will leak out but at least you will know every thing got lubricated.
Steering gears don't just get adjusted too tight unless some one did it at one time.

I have the car up on jack stands and it turns from side to side but still seems "tight". I also notice when the tires are about straight ahead it drags a bit. I think your suggestions for lubing the steering box is my best bet. How do I get 140 gear oil in the box when there is only a grease fitting? Should I take it off and use a small funnel in the hole?

I have purchase records that show my father-in-law completely rebuilt the front end including new king pins plus I have pictures showing the frame on a rotisserie with all the front end off then later pics with it rebuilt. He was a good mechanic so I think everything should be OK there. He may not have done anything to the steering box for some reason.

I will grease the whole front end tomorrow and get some oil in the box as I described above unless someone tells me a better (or correct) way to fill it.

Thanks for all previous replies and any more coming!

Hope the following helps with your '34 standard front end wheel alignment.

Castor: + 1 1/4 - + 2 1/4 degrees

Kingpin inclination: 6-8 degrees

Camber: + 1/2 - + 1 1/2 degrees

Toe-in: 5/64" - 1/8"

You should be able to buy 140 in a squeeze bottle with snout. Just cut off the end of the snout and squeeze in a little lube. Check and do it again until just full. Or squirt in lube until it starts to come out, stop squeezing and clean off the excess.

If you can't find a squeeze bottle with lube in it get one from the kitchen section at WalMart, grocery store. Might have mustard on the outside but that is okay as long as you don't bring it into the house. Hot dogs might taste a bit funny.

Remove (un-screw) the fitting and fill as Chipper suggests.

Grease the king pin grease fitting and the tie rod and drag link ends with a grease gun and chassis grease. Perhaps the king pin bushings were not reamed out enough and are a little too tight.

Chipper you are correct. I had forgotten about the tips that come with the gear oil bottles. I put about 4 ounces in the box then added some grease through the fitting so it should be lubed well now. With the wheels still up I turned the steering wheel back and forth a bunch of times and it does turn easier and smoother. I also greased the entire car including the steering components.
I have checked tire pressure and adjusted the front brakes. The right front was really tight for some reason. I don't know if that would affect steering but I had noticed it pulled slightly to the right when braking so that should be resolved.
I plan on giving my mother-in-law, who is visiting us, a ride tomorrow or Friday. I'll report back on how (hopefully) the steering has improved.
CJP- thanks for the specs on the alignment. Where did you get them from? I had only the toe-in specs. I will take them with me when I get the front end aligned.

Found the alignment specs in an old book with front end data that goes back as far as about'25,and up to around '36 to '39.
Glad you can use the info.