The Ford Barn

JayJay · 02-13-2024, 03:14 PM

All: A new one for me.

I disassembled the front suspension on my '30 TS in preparation for cleaning, painting and rehab. When I removed the spring perches I noticed that the distance between the eyes of the wishbone is about 3/4" wider than the distance between the mounting holes in the axle. I don't anticipate any particular issue with reassembling (we love ratchet straps!) but I wonder: is this normal and/or acceptable, or has the wishbone been "sprung"? I can't see any indication that the wishbone has any damage, but the axle is bent like it has been hit at one point or another (gonna find a good axle). And two leaves of the spring are broken, so I need to deal with that.

If reasonable I'd like to re-use this wishbone as the radius ball is in pretty decent shape.

On a separate but related note: I recall several years ago that there were replacement radius balls available, I think that there were tabs to weld onto the wishbone. Don't see them out there any more. Am I imagining things?

Thanks.

JayJay

02-13-2024, 03:14 PM	#1
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,182	Wishbone question All: A new one for me. I disassembled the front suspension on my '30 TS in preparation for cleaning, painting and rehab. When I removed the spring perches I noticed that the distance between the eyes of the wishbone is about 3/4" wider than the distance between the mounting holes in the axle. I don't anticipate any particular issue with reassembling (we love ratchet straps!) but I wonder: is this normal and/or acceptable, or has the wishbone been "sprung"? I can't see any indication that the wishbone has any damage, but the axle is bent like it has been hit at one point or another (gonna find a good axle). And two leaves of the spring are broken, so I need to deal with that. If reasonable I'd like to re-use this wishbone as the radius ball is in pretty decent shape. On a separate but related note: I recall several years ago that there were replacement radius balls available, I think that there were tabs to weld onto the wishbone. Don't see them out there any more. Am I imagining things? Thanks. JayJay __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan Last edited by JayJay; 02-13-2024 at 06:30 PM.