Wire Fire and other experiences

[msc0nduct]

So I got Cherry registered and took her out for a drive. The very first thing my kids do is start screwing with the original AM radio that is not even hooked up to my knowledge and does not work. All of a sudden, wire smell and smoke comes billowing out from the radio and under the dash. I have driven her since then and everything seems to be fine, but I did freak out and stopped the car and made sure nothing was on fire under the hood. Everything else seems to work fine. The heater will totally burn you out of her. I can't seem to get the vacuum wipers to work.(I don't know how, I don't know which knob it is). Also, she has so much play in the steering wheel. I am scared to drive her over 35 because she jumps from one side to the other side of the road. I am afraid of ending up in a ditch, or head on into another car. My hubby says this is normal for a car this old and probably much can't be done about it. He has not driven her and I don't believe him. Any ideas? We are talking about a 1955 Cadillac Miller 3 way.

[spastic_chicken]

There shouldn't be that much end play in the car, no matter how old it is. You probably need to check the tie rod ends. Personally, a front end rebuild kit from Kanter wouldn't hurt a car that old.

[Riff Raff]

You can check the steering box too. I know GM steering boxes have a set screw and lock nut for adjustment. Not sure if one that old would have that kind of box, but wouldn't hurt to look.

[STODD]

53, 54, 55 and 56 Cadillac steering boxes are not to be toyed with! Steering lash should be adjusted ONLY by someone that knows about these specific steering boxes as they are extremely sensitive to proper lash set. I have seen personally when someone(not me) sets the lash too tight in one of these boxes - the box completely siezed up and locked the steering while the person was driving down the road. They got lucky and only hit a couple of mailboxes before they were able to stop the car.

Start with either inspecting the front end yourself or taking it to your local mechanic. Dual A arm suspensions and steering have four major areas that are susceptible to wear: Control arm bushings(upper and lower), ball joints(upper and lower), tie rod ends(left and right inner and outer) and the drag link or center link. Idler arms and some pitman arms have wearable joints or ball joints in them too, so be mindfull with those as well. If you replace ANY one of those components, be sure to have your coach aligned afterwards. Your tires will thank you by lasting longer and not tracking all over the road.

You might as well check and repack the front wheel bearings while you are at it.

And to disagree with hubby, 55 Caddies have nice firm steering when properly maintained(I've owned two 55's, a 54 and a 56, among others). And if you run bias ply tires you may experience some tracking(when the tires "drive" the car in ruts and grooves in the road) but it will be minimal when your steering and suspension is tuned properly.

[msc0nduct]

53, 54, 55 and 56 Cadillac steering boxes are not to be toyed with! Steering lash should be adjusted ONLY by someone that knows about these specific steering boxes as they are extremely sensitive to proper lash set. I have seen personally when someone(not me) sets the lash too tight in one of these boxes - the box completely siezed up and locked the steering while the person was driving down the road. They got lucky and only hit a couple of mailboxes before they were able to stop the car.

Start with either inspecting the front end yourself or taking it to your local mechanic. Dual A arm suspensions and steering have four major areas that are susceptible to wear: Control arm bushings(upper and lower), ball joints(upper and lower), tie rod ends(left and right inner and outer) and the drag link or center link. Idler arms and some pitman arms have wearable joints or ball joints in them too, so be mindfull with those as well. If you replace ANY one of those components, be sure to have your coach aligned afterwards. Your tires will thank you by lasting longer and not tracking all over the road.

You might as well check and repack the front wheel bearings while you are at it.

And to disagree with hubby, 55 Caddies have nice firm steering when properly maintained(I've owned two 55's, a 54 and a 56, among others). And if you run bias ply tires you may experience some tracking(when the tires "drive" the car in ruts and grooves in the road) but it will be minimal when your steering and suspension is tuned properly.

Thanks so much for the advice! I greatly appreciate it.

[hearseguy]

You should probably just give it to me before you get hurt with it. I will fuel up the car hauler and be up your way just tell me when you get your stuff out of it.