[Staowners] actually driving a '54 Alpine - HELP!

[Harvey Henningsen]

Hi Scotty, I've got a 55 Alpine and it appears to have a little play in it too.  However it's never been a problem regarding keeping the Sunbeam going straight down our country roads. Happy motoring.........Harvey Henningsen
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: scotty 
  To: raymead at comcast.net ; Staowners at sunbeamtalbot.info 
  Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2007 2:08 PM
  Subject: Re: [Staowners] actually driving a '54 Alpine - HELP!


  Your mechanic should be able to tell you if your car has.
  A. worn steering linkage parts
  B. adjust the steering box
  C. biasply (crossply) tires causing the wandering, (is the play there while sitting still) hope this helps.
                                      Kevin B.C. Canada
  53 alpine 
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: raymead at comcast.net 
    To: Staowners at sunbeamtalbot.info 
    Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2007 9:55 AM
    Subject: [Staowners] actually driving a '54 Alpine - HELP!


    Hello all,

    My '54, which I just bought last November (you all might remember it -
    the one with the Toyota 22R engine and 5 speed transmission) is finally
    being driven with some regularity!!!!   

    I had a local English mechanic go thru the suspension, shocks, brake
    system, etc., etc (basically everything but the engine/trans) and all was
    either in good shape, or repaired/replaced...........

    Well, when I started driving it, it was wandering all over the road.

    Took it to a guy who everyone swears is the best in the world (well,
    in this area anyway) at front end work...........

    He did an alignment - toe-in or whatever the heck he said was WAY OUT!

    Now it tracks/drives as it should - BUT......................

    There is play in the steering wheel.  Not terrible, but more than I would like.

    As one of the most mechanically challenged people in the world, my first
    thought was to contact Tony Bamfort, talk to him about it, probably order
    all the bits and pieces that affect steering, and have my local English mechanic
    replace everything.

    Then I started thinking - for all of you out there who have been driving/
    repairing/restoring these things for years, just how should it drive?????????

    Is there "normally" play in the steering wheel?????   (I know it is hard
    to define and describe, in writing, "play", but would appreciate any comments..........
    (to include any comments re "upgrading" the steering if that is possible).

    I really want to drive this car, so I'd like to make that as enjoyable as possible!

    tks much,  ray mead (near Scranton, PA)
    '54 Alpine
    '64 Porsche 356C
    '02 Thunderbird





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