[propaneburner]

Hello all

Do have a problem with my 39 Lasalle steering arms,some years ago I think the car hit something that bend the passenger lower A arm, I had to straighten it about 3/4''.
No problem for that, the drawings of the arms are in the manual of the car.
But it looks like they bended the steering arms to compensate for the bend A arm.
What I am trying to figure out is, how are the steering arms look like out of the factory.

Maybe there is someone whit a Lasalle/Caddy who can get me some insight on this.

Here are some pics of the problem.




You see the passenger one is far more bended than the driver side one.

Thanks
Wander

[aosborn]

It would appear that the drivers side tie-rod is nearly out of adjustment while the "bent" passenger side unit still has adjustment left. If the toe setting is correct, is the steering gear centered? If not, center the steering gear and see what the toe setting is on each wheel. My guess is that it will be toe-in on one side, and out on the other (turning). If this is the case, lock the gear centered, and then adjust the tie-rods to set the toe the same on both sides(1/16" in on each side, 1/8" in overall is a good starting point). Then level the steering wheel if necessary. If you run out of adjustment on one side, that will tell you which one is the problem child. Judging by the angle the ball joint is coming out of the center link, it looks like the "bent" tie-rod is correct.

Andy

[Big Don]

I have built a couple of these. One was a Packard and the other was 40 Lasalle Series 52. If memory serves me correctly they are bent to clear the frame when the spring is loaded all the way. But I do think the right side seems to be bent too much.

What series number do you have? The larger chassis or the smaller?

I have a similar stock 1939 sitting outback and I'll take a quick look and get back at you.

[propaneburner]

Thanks for the replies.
@aosborn The wheel adjustment is not correct at this moment and not to important, i cleaned all parts first and noticed the difference in tie rod bends.
The right one beeing more bended seems logic to me because the A arm was also bended rearwards.
Most of the front end parts are discribbed in the shop manual with measurements so i was able to fix the A arms and check all steering arms.
The only ones not noted in the book are the pitman arms.
First i want all o.k. before doing wheel alignmend.

@Big don
It's a 39-50 series #2290001 and up, and 156-1/2'' wheelbase

Pic. when it just arrived.
Thanks in advance
Wander

[aosborn]

I appreciate what you are saying, but I am not talking about performing a front end alignment. I was just laying out a way to track down which steering parts may be bent.

If you center the steering gear and set the toe, take a look at how much thread is exposed on each tie rod when you are done. If the tie rod with more curve has thread showing, and the straighter side has none, that would tell me the "straighter" tie rod is the one that is bent. Since you are dealing with suspension parts that have been bent and repaired, it may be wise to go ahead and align the whole front end just to make sure it can be brought up to your specs. If not, the damaged areas can be located and repaired before you put it in paint.

P.S. What are your build plans for that monster?