Hot Rods Model A spring shims

See post #22 above.

 

The crossmember is welded to the frame at each end. It is installed on a 5 degree tilt. The spring is attached to the crossmember by the spring clamps. Both are in a fixed position and cannot move. The adjustable perches swivel so you can set the caster on the axle then lock in place with the adjustment of the hairpins. The problem is the aftermarket crossmember is not made close enough to the design of a factory Ford type. It's doesn't seem to flair out on the end on the front side as much as a factory piece. That's the best I can explain it.

 

So do you have a plan in place for repairs?

 

P.S. 5-degree tilt don't mean much without taking ground profile to frame rails.

 

I get what you're saying, but it's pretty easy to combat those issues. That said, if the crossmember is pinched at the bottom near the end welds, then he's SOL.

I meant if the thing is pinched in the middle, you could spread it with a porta power and gain an 1/8th or 1/16th without issue and possibly solve the problem.

 

Not yet.

 

Let me ask this. What is the actual problem with the spring making contact inside the crossmember? Did you buy the car as is or have you been driving it and it just happened?

 

It might be for you or me that may have already done some repairs. Bikelessbill sounds fairly new to both Fab repairs and Suspension work. I preferer not to assume one quick move will fix it all. I'm more interested in knowing what caused the issue to start with. That's the best place to start.

 

If you drop your spring down, you can take a short top leaf about 6" long and radius the front and rear top edges. remove the center bolt and place it on top of the spring. This will allow for some discrepancy in the radius of the top inside corner radius of the crossmember and keep the spring from being bound against the corners and allow it to be at the 5 degree angle of the top of your crossmember. Also at that time you can make sure the top and bottom is the same measurement on the crossmember.

 

Thinking about it some more, the simple test is to establish how the spring sits in the crossmember with the shackles removed, and move forward from there.

Chris

 

I'd like to give you 3 likes for that comment. The first step in finding the actual issue. Sooner or later the spring has to come out to do anything previously mentioned.

 

In your pictures, what are the other brackets that are welded on top of the frame? I still do not understand why you can't move the front axle by adjusting your hairpins. If you loosen the "U" bolts and bring the axle back, the spring will move with it. Can you show a picture of the entire frame and front end? Did you measure your wheelbase side to side as I asked in my original post? I have been building street rods for over 60 years and never had to modify the front crossmember to get the spring to fit!. Hair pins and four bar set up's are designed to adjust your axles caster and wheelbase. Am I missing something?

 

Car Builders and Car Owners often look at things differently due to the understanding or lack of. What an Owner will see as a big problem the Builder often sees as just maintenance and adjustments. Seems this O.P. may be in the deep end of his understanding so tape measure numbers and degrees may just add to his confusion. I still have a feeling his spring center pin sheered the head off and the connecting links whatever they are pushed it forward due to the way they are installed.

 

Many recommendations posted already need to be checked,

Have your Vehicle off the ground sitting on Jack stands on ""all 4"" corners so the weight of the car and ride height is on jack stands or other,
The way it would actually/naturally
sit on the ground.

Jack stands or Other
Out Near the Wheels / Spindles.
& Level left to right,
& Rake Front to Rear . You want .

4 plum bobs ,
Straight edge
Angle finder
Marker / pencil
Wheel's On & wheel's Off .
Mark floor , for wheel base

Strait Edge for Wheel's off with Angle finder for Additional marks on the floor.
Using Two studs .

& IT sounds like spring Not setting Square up in flat of Cross Member the way it was Pressed ? Massage , File , grind side of spring so fits clear the radius ,1 or 2 top of pack that sets in
Against inside of Cross member .

You need to See where all is setting Now
Then Go from there into What Needs change , Adjustment , or wack crossmember Out & Restart

 

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Oh My!

 

Well, @Bikelessbill , have you decided what you will do first?

 

Still checking