Front Wheel Alignment

[Anonymous-0]

I have a 1949 8n, and the front right wheel is wobbling,I checked the lug nuts and they are snug.
I think it is the alignment, if so how do I align the front wheels?
Thank You,
RDAllison

 

[Too Tall]

One wheel wobbling wouldn't indicate an alignment problem to me. I'd jack up the offending tire and make it wobble (shake it). Look for there you see slop. Wheel bearings, tie rod ends, steering box?
Let us know where it's sloppy and let's go from there.
TooTall

 

[gahorN]

Wheel tight on the axle? Bent wheel-rim?

 

[Leemo]

Like the others mentioned I'd check it out and see where the play is first. I've found that what you describe is often a loose steering gearbox sector. My '49 8N has a little bit of the same deal. If the steering gearbox isn't too worn you can adjust some of the extra play out by taking the four bolts out of the sector shaft housing on that side and turning the housing. It's on a bit of an eccentric and will tighten or loosen the extra play in that side. Normally the toe in on these is 1/2 inch set by adjusting the tie rods on either side to give the front centers of the front tires a 1/2 in less width than the rear centers of the front tires. If it doesn't want to adjust out you can fudge a bit to get the wobble to quit by setting the toe in to zero or a little toed out if need be. These aren't like the front end alighnment on a car that can dramatically change tire wear and handling.
Good Luck, Lee

 

[Anonymous-0]

Yeah the play was coming from the steering gearbox but the other wheel was the same way when I jacked it up and it dose not wobble.
When I said before that it was wobbling that was in 4th gear and full throttle on the road.
thanks,
RDAllison

 

[Anonymous-0]

RD When you are driving it down the road take your right foot and stick it on the end of the right radius arm add a little pressure and see if the wobble goes away and then you can determmin were the wobble really is
I had the same problem with mine and Old Dell gave me that trick JohnNoregon

 

[souNdguy]

Hmm.. i don't think putting your foot on the radius rod is gonna do didly squatt. the radious arm is pinned or bolted tot he front axle, and then capped and bolted to the trans.

Putting your foot ont he steering arm/draglink would haowever accomplish something.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[Scott1ky]

You can usually tell whether or not your front wheels are aligned at higher speeds. Sometimes you may not notice a wobble at low speed but go a bit faster and it is more evident. Basically you just need to loosen the carriage bolts on the clasps that are holing the radius rods snug and adjust the rods to adjust the alignment.

If your threads are worn, rusty, or painted over (most are) you will probably need a wrench to give you some leverage. You will see little "notches" on the radius rods to put the wrench to adjust them. You might be able to stand in front of the tractor pointed straight and see which wheel needs adjusting. When I did this on my 1948 8n I had to just use trial and error. I took it out on the driveway and just ran it through all gears, including road gear to may sure the wobble went away. If I remember correctly, I think you can adjust both the front wheels so that they are very very slightly pointed inward, and they will apply enough pressure to the rods/arms and balance each other out and eliminate the problem. That is just from my experience. But be careful not to over adjust too agressively, or the front tires will "dig in" to the ground and you will wear out your tread very quickly.
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Scott

 

[Anonymous-0]

Soundguy My fingers overloaded my mouth steering arm/draglink is what I meant not the radius arms thanks for the correction
JohnNoregon