Steering Sensitivity 62 Bird

[DallasIII]

I have recently purchased a #2 levelS Silver Mink 62 Bird Rdst. The steering is spot with alignment but seems overly sevsitive to the slightest movement of the wheel it seems to over react and swerve. Is this just the way the cars is designed or is there an adjustment at the steering box ??. The ash tray door also flys open on braking there must be a spring missing. I have no idea where to find one or what one looks like to have made. Currently having a few slow or balky window motors and switches replaced ,power steering leak addressed but other than thatit will probably sort out well.

Tks, to any on advise.

Dallas
Spfd. MO

[Garjus61]

My '61 was that way, but the power steering gear was worn out - It was dripping and much easier to turn to the left than the right - textbook example. I just got it back tonight after having the gear replaced. It's a lot stiffer, in fact maybe too much so, but it drives straight down the road when I take my hand off the wheel. I'd be curious to know if the highly sensitive or the somewhat stiff handling is the norm. I haven't read the manual lately, but there is a test for measuring the stiffness of the wheel, and I think it may be adjustable. Does anyone know for shore?

You, yourself can probably help your window situation - it's not bad - I actually thought it was fun. I took all four of mine apart and they work great now. Getting the regulators out and back in is a little like a Chinese puzzle, but you can do it. Replace the channel felt and the runner wheels on the regulator, clean off all the old grease and dirt and regrease, put a little shot of oil on the motor shafts, take the switches apart and clean the contacts. One of my motors was seized. I should have taken it to a motor shop and had it rebuilt but naively took it apart myself (I had previously done the seat motor which actually came apart and went back together very easily), polished the shaft with 600 grit paper, cleaned the motor contacts, and then with the help of the my kids managed to get it back together after about 2 hours of struggling to keep the brushes in place. I made some little tools that slid in through a hole in the end of the motor housing to hold the brushes in place. I'd take it to a motor shop, or buy replacements from one of the T-Bird parts shops.

Good luck

[Ford blue blood]

Check the lower control arm inner pivot point. They take a beating over the years and if they are worn out they will make the steering "touchie" and stay in place when the car is going straight.

[DallasIII]

Thanks for the replys I will get the car on a rack asap when the weather clears for a few days .

Dallas

[verdejor]

also, I STRONGLY believe there is a nut on the gearbox that upon lossening, you can hold in place with the wrench and adjust the pressure with a flathead screwdriver)...

[DallasIII]

Start the car and the pwr windows work fine drive along ,hit a switch and they are dead. Park the car for awhile restart and they work . Tough for shop to locate with this situation. Are there relays or something of that nature that could be involved and work intermittently ? Why would the engine shut down or swith off for awhile effect the operation. There is not time for heat build up in the engine compartment to a factor.

Tks,

Dallas