VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 STEERING WHEEL NOW OFF CENTER

Dana, thanks for the info you provided.

It seems the up and down movement of the steering wheel is the telltale sign of the steering shaft coming loose from the worm gear shaft.

I cannot push or pull my steering wheel to feel any looseness.

I'll admit I am older, but not old enough to not be able to push or pull on the wheel.

Don't know where to turn on this ....... will see what ideas come into mind here.

Thanks to all.

The up and down movement is controlled by the thrust bearings, one on each end of the worm. The worm could be turning on the shaft but not moving up or down on it.
Another thing to check is the springs in each of the drag link. If one of the springs break it will be noticed by increased free play in the steering wheel and make the steering wheel off center on an uneven road surface....but you did not note added play in steering.

Thanks for the input, not certain as to where I will go from here.

Not so good in climbing under cars anymore.

Bob, were you able to get this figured out?

Hello Dana,
I have been lax in my reply, have owned this ”˜51for almost 19 years now.
Never had the idler arm off or apart, yet I found a broken bolt, which anchors the idler arm to the crossmember.
I’ve been preoccupied with family concerns, a thankful thing in one regard, which prevented me from driving anywhere.
Hope you are OK in the big “A” town.
Bob

Hi Bob,
Boy your problem really is a head scratcher. With the car sitting it's hard to understand. Maybe it's something much simpler. If the front tire pressures went down, which can happen over time if the car sits, could that possibly change the stance and thereby change the steering wheel centering? I find it hard to imagine would have front suspension issues with it sitting. Sometimes it's the simple not thought of things that cause problems. I have learned that with mine. Also, maybe get out the ole grease gun and lube those tied rod end joints??
Just my two cents buddy.

Good luck.

A broken idler arm mounting bolt is either 1) a defective bolt or 2) a severe impact to one of the front wheels. The second reason is the more likely reason for the breakage. Any change to the mounting of the idler arm assembly on the front axle will change the center position of the steering wheel. My experience in owning a 1950 for over 48 years is that removing the idler arm assembly to drop the engine oil pan, and then bolting up the idler arm assembly back on the axle, will change the idler arm position enough to require adjusting the "Steering connecting rod" to center the steering wheel. As Chev Nut mentioned, check the tie rod ends. Any small change in the steering geometry will affect the steering wheel center position.

Thanks Rick and Jim.
Has to be a bad bolt, certainly didn’t hit anything in the road.
One day it was fine, the next day it was not.
Metal fatigue on the bolt, is my thought.