1948-1952 Shop Service Manual - - Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club

STEERING GEAR 13 - 9
FIGURE 8
ADJUSTMENT:
1. Check steering wheel for correct position on steering
column tube. (With notch on steering column tube
straight down, spokes of steering wheel should be horizontal.)
2. Remove nut from bottom of center steering arm pivot
and remove bolt from front of steering arm bracket.
3. Install gauge No. J-2953, Figure 8, with gauge clamp on
the center steering arm.
4. Attach female screw of gauge to center steering arm pivot
and insert bolt at front of gauge into steering arm bracket.
5. Check front wheels for proper toe-in, which should be
from 0 to 1/16". (If toe- in is incorrect, adjust tie rods.)
6. Place arms of gauge against tire as shown in Figure 8
with both arms at equal height on the tire.
7. Turn wheel until front and rear arms of gauge are of equal
length.
8. If steering wheel spokes are not horizontal with gauge in
this position, disconnect drag link at pitman arm and
interchange shim packs (A and B), Figure 7, until horizontal
position of spokes is attained, and attach drag link.
9. Remove gauge and replace nut on center steering arm
pivot. (Before re-using elastic stop nut, strike the face of
the nut a sharp blow with a hammer to compress the
stop and provide a new seal.) Tighten to 50-60 foot
pounds.
10. Replace bolt in front of center steering arm bracket.
STEERING GEAR INSPECTION
AND ADJUSTMENT
Elimination of excess play or stiffness in steering gear
operation may be accomplished by external adjustment of
the steering gear. Do not attempt to correct erratic action of
front wheels by adjustment of the steering gear. Such action
as indicated by shimmy or steering wheel fight should be
corrected at the front suspension.
Before making steering gear adjustment, raise the front
wheels and make sure no lost motion exists in the tie rod
ends, steering arms, or center steering arm and pivot.
WORM BEARING END PLAY INSPECTION:
Excess end play in the worm bearing is indicated by an up
and down movement of the steering column tube. This
condition may be checked as follows:
1. Raise front wheels off the floor.