This is the first old Ford i've messed with. It's built entirely of spares. So far, it's been fun. I've run into an issue with my combination of front-end parts. Model A chassis '36 front axle Round-back spindles. After reading a ton of threads, i****umed these parts would work as is. The wishbone and steering arms are perfectly aligned to prevent installing the tie rod. I have options, but i'm not sure where the problem is. Do i go back to the A axle with the late spindles, or switch to '36 spindles/drums, or find someplace to heat and bend these arms?
Heat to popsicle Orange & bend the same each side, let cool naturally. Run Tie rod under bones , joint on bottom Nut on top. Or change to bolt on , ( spindle) then may require the same treatment.. Mock up in way before bending to see how much needed in drop , full Left & Right , Use like a Tube nut on Tie rod threads Then bolt Or tube & mechanic wire ,
I'll find someone with torches. It may not look like much, but i spent a lot of time looking for good spindles.
Rose bud tip better , After finding your drop needed before bending make a template Clothes hanger ect .
Best bet is to heat and bend the spindle arms either up or down. I prefer to run the tierod over the wishbone, but many go under with it. Heating and bending is fairly easy if you understand the heating process and just getting the arms orange hot...not red hot or white hot. Evenly heat with a torch (rosebud) around the arm and keep it orange while making the bend. I like two people, one with the torch and one with a big crescent wrench to bend the arm. Once both sides are even and the tierod just clears the wish bone through full lock to lock turn, let parts air cool. I then like to media blast after to inspect the arms.
Isn't the wishbone upside down? I'm thinking if you flip it over there be enough room for the tie rod underneath installing the tie rod end as someone suggested earlier with the tie rod end on the bottom side of the steering arm and the nut on top. It's been a few years but I think that's how my Model A is put together. I could be wrong, it happens. Lynn
That is correct for a Model A or 32/33-34 wishbone. 35-36 were offset towards the top, so that might be what you were thinking of.
If you change the direction that the rod end enters the arm from stock, you will need to change the taper too. Taper the hole half way deep from the other direction with a 7 degree reamer. It will still fit and work perfectly. Do not ream it all the way through.
Good info. It is a model a wishbone. It may work fine, but even if the '36 spindles would fix this, i'm not excited about slotting the backplates, and f'n around with the piston ring/spacer kit (which i already have...)
After a couple more posts have been made I also realize that if my memory serves me correctly caster is built into the front end of a wishbone so if it were installed upside down the back of the wishbone would really have to be mounted low to get positive caster. Once again I may be completely off base. Lynn
When bending the steering arms you also need to maintain the correct Ackerman. I used chalk line on a concrete floor and a plumb bob relocate the tie rod hole as you bend the arm down. Snap the chalk line from the center of the king pin to the center of the rear axle on both sides Using the plumb bob. Move the steering arms horizontally until the center of the tie rod hole falls on the chalk line. clamp the spindles so they are in line with the axle and each other and can't move while bending. This is well worth the effort.
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