Hey gang:
A very nice man and his wife need some help. They have a 1914 Touring car and I guess it runs OK but he was going to take it out on a drive to a local picnic and give the kids a ride. So he rented a uhaul trailer and promptly drove the car up on an then off the trailer. This bent the wishbone and axle pretty good. The wishbone is like a pretzel and the front axle has a pretty good bend in its center much the same as if you decided to try and push a fire hydrant over after a 15 foot head start to get it up to speed. He has got the whole front axle and wishbone off the car and is bringing it over tomorrow. The axle and spindles are DB marked and the whole car is a survivor belonging to his grandfather who I think was original owner. He is kinda new to things but has just now retired and wants to get it all working right.
Just in case this wishbone is too far gone, does anyone have a decent early wishbone for his January 1914 Touring. I have an accessory brace that I will donate to him that is NOS but when last viewed the axle had about 15 degrees of negative caster on it and at first I though he had mounted the axle on backwards but nope - its just all bent up. He said it dropped down on the trailer tongue and then slid forward with a thud with the axle hitting the hitch ball of the trailer. I really really want to play Sir Galahad to the rescue here since I have nobody this close to me that I could befriend and take tours with.
Could the axle be corrected in a press?
John: Take a close look at the crankcase in the area of the wishbone socket. It may have been pushed in when the axle went backwards. JP
I straightened pretzels, i mean axles in a press. Not difficult.
John,contact Ron Patz. he'd likely have a wishbone close to you.
Being hollow, the wishbones are kinda tricky to straighten. I make hardwood forms that fit the wishbone's shape so the press doesn't flatten the tube.
What a shame--he would have been better off driving it to the picnic!
Good luck! And good for you helping too!
Good idea Jack and thanks to all. I have a press and the axle doesn't scare me as much as the radius rod. I will indeed check the pan fitting. That is a good call.
I'm trying to sell some T parts for a widow of a friend. She has a complete early front axle assembly with wishbone, spring, accessory brace, spindles, etc. Let me know if you need all or part of it.
Best not to use heat when straightening the front axle as you will remove the temper.