Hot Rods Split wishbones-Why?

I see many photos of old rods with split wishbones, but running a Flatty. Why did they split the bones?

 

to get the car lower with a dropped axle...clearance issues.

 

Most people split for bigger engines or transmissons, the only reason for splitting with a flathead would be for looks or a trans change.

 

^ or you lower it soo much they contact the frame during articulation

 

How does this affect it? The drop of the axle is doe outside of the bones. The wishbone and frame stay the same in relation to each other. Or am I missing something?

 

Uh, yeah, you're missing something.

The drop will cause the frame to come down on top of the bones.

Rich

 

If the spring had leaves removed or the front cross member had been raised or swapped out..ie. a 32 frame with a model A cross member. HRP

 

How? I realise a dropped axle will lower the frame to the ground but it ALSO lowers the bones towards the ground. How is the relation from the frame to the bones changed?

 

Thats NOT the same as a dropped axle.

 

Can you explain this? as the bone verses axle does not change only the spindle height in relation to the axle?

 

Wow! What have I started?

 

Yes, JUST a dropped axle wont affect the relationship.

But, reversed eyes, flattened leaves, raised crossmember, etc does.

Rich

 

We do it because we can.

 

Of course, my question/comment was ONLY about a dropped axle.

 

lots of reasons to split em. if you were building an Av8 and didn't swap to a 32 front end and a 32 k member.... you split the bones. a bunch of variations on that same theme

 

No, I was merely pointing out why the bones would be split. HRP

 

I personally think that it was a styling thing. The Olds and Cadillac engines started it and it became a "hotrod" thing. A visual thing.

 

Wishbones are split to make a wish that will hopefully come true!

 

My bad.

Rich

 

In addition to 'getting the apex of the wishbone outa the way', splitting and anchoring them to the frame rails also utilizes the axle as an anti-roll bar.
Not recommended with a tube axle...Stuff is prone to bend and break.

"Can't torque a tube" type thinking.

 

After re-reading my post, I should have said lowering the car...not just dropping the axle. Dearching the spring or reversing the eyes brings the frame closer to the bones. Just dropping the axle doesn't...my bad. I'll be over in the corner with the dunce cap on.

 

I would disagree tommy. The round round guys were doing it well before then. Splitting the bones turns your axle into a sway bar... roadster racing, sprints, midgets all did it at least as far back as early 40s maybe into the 30s.

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Not as much as you would think with the tube axle. How many v8 60 axes were in sprints and midgets. 4 bar setups will twist an axel just as much.

I've run dirt and pavement midgets with a 3/4 bar front end. On the dirt you take off one of the bars to make the front end move independently easier. Add that 4th bar back on and you can't rotate the axel in the chassis anymore

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It all started in the 1920's with Model T Ford based dirt track cars. The engines got set back and aftermarket radius rods were sold to replace the factory wishbone. Hot Rods have copied race car features forever. Bob

 

I was just making sure I wast have an oldtimers moment and wasnt seeing something I should be seeing. No harm, no foul.

 

Thanks everyone. I think I unnerstand now.

 

Shouldn't that be 'Deuce' cap? No dunces on the HAMB.

 

A dropped axle does nor get the suspension closer to the frame, it only lowers the king pins. As sgtated previously a madel A crossmember in a Duece, or removing leaves fcrom the spring will bring the suspension closer to the frame

 

'Cause Chix dig it!!

 

I thought that it was done to improve handling by lessening the body roll of 2 transverse springs.