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Drove the Deuce...Some questions

acesneights1

Member
1,449
21
20
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CT
Finally got it on the road, all registered etc. Put about 100 miles on it.

Figured out the lights finally. I wasn't operating them correctly and also found a broken wire on the brake light switch. I re plumbed the switch as it was hitting the drivers side tool box.

Some things, possible issues. Bear in mind, I have never driven one before.
The steering is very difficult. I realize it is not power and at low speeds should be hard but even at highway speed, I need two hands on it. The front axle is out(airshift T/C)
Is this normal or do I have an issue ? I greased the king pins,all shafts and checked all diifs and TC/tranny.

Second it has a vibration from about 30-40 mph. After 40mph it pretty much goes away. My son says he hears a chain jingling noise under it while we are driving. I don't hear anything but my hearing ain't so good...:)
The Vibration is not the motor, it's in the driveline. Almost feels like bad u joint but they all feel fine. Possibly a bad ring gear ??:(
It's not earth shattering but I can feel it.
 

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acesneights1

Member
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CT
Also The ebrake shoes are wasted. I have new linings but there is a spring that appears to center the linings when released that is broken ?
What is it called and where can I find one.
 

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acesneights1

Member
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20
Location
CT
I should clarify, whe I say the steering is difficult, on the highway, I can let go of the wheel at 45 mph and the truck drives straight as an arrow. The wheel just feels very heavy.
 

m16ty

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Steel Soldiers Supporter
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The steering sounds about normal.

Check all the u-joints and flange bolts in the driveline. The short shaft going from the trans to the t-case is notorious for bolts working loose.
 

Coffey1

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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I second that the bolts were loose on my deuce .
If you have normal tires on and think it's heavy try 395's
 

59apache

Chipmaker
1,299
29
48
Location
Bavaria / Germany
The steering sounds normal to me. G would help!
G = Gym
or
G = Gringeltaube's power steering conversion
:p

I had a vibration issue on my M35, balancing the front tire helped a lot.
 

rustystud

Well-known member
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Woodinville, Washington
I agree with m16ty , it's normal. Back in the Marines we used to call this "Armstrong" steering. I would check the drivelines and U-joints and check all the mounting bolts though. Actually you should be doing this on a regular basis anyway.
 

two.fiveM35

Active member
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38
Location
Victoria , Texas
The spring is called a mustache spring and most if not all venders seem to carry them. My truck seems to go throughout those quit often. I removed the spacer washers on the studs and use 2 springs. They seems to last longer that way. Also check your manual for adjustment. The outer shoe should also have a tension spring connected to the top of the shoe. My spring is missing and I've tried several time to add one, but have not been successful.
 
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acesneights1

Member
1,449
21
20
Location
CT
Ok, Thanks for the replies. I can steer it fine. I just wanted to make sure that is normal and there wasn't an underlying issue. My F600 has no power steering either but isn't nearly as bad and running the same size tires although the weight on the front axle in the Deuce is obviously substantially higher.
I was thinking maybe tires as well. The intermediate shaft is tight as I just had to re install it with the tranny. I checked all driveshafts when I greased it so it could just be the way it is.
I still have much to learn. What do these have for front axle joints ? U joints ? Are they open yoke under the zipper boots or ball and socket ? Are selectable hubs worth it ? Though I saw aftermarket ones on here somewhere but could not find the thread again.
The vibration is more on the pushing side than pulling side which is why I may suspect a worn Ring and pinion although the truck only has 24k miles on it.
 

cranetruck

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My deuce was very sensitive to the condition of the front tires, any mismatch would result in shimmy at certain speeds.
My recommendation is to match the front tires in every way possible, brand, wear, date code and air pressure...
 

kcollum

Member
57
0
6
Location
Long Island New York
I have AVM front hubs on the truck big difference in steering not turning all the front drive line. I also have a vibration in the drive line some said the front drive shaft may be bent. As for the jingling sound I had the steering wheel chain slip down by the transfer lever and dangle on the intermediate shaft, not good but caught it before big trouble.
 
779
20
18
Location
Springfield AR
The clanking could be your ebrake if its flopping it will sound like that and yes lockouts make a world of difference in steering and driveline noise. I have 14.00 20 tires and they are easy to steer. I recommend the Ouverson hubs USA made and heavy duty. Checkout gringletaubes write up on Ouverson vs AVM hubs you ll see why.
 
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