Hey guys,
In the process of rebuilding my '14s front axle, I was removing the spring shackle bushings. One came out fine, the other I found was brazed in! Started to remove the brass and finish taking out the bushing. When the bushing broke free, it took the remaining brass with it. Turns out, a small chunk had broken out at one point. Its a triangle shaped break, and it goes right up to the center of the perch and the larger side of the triangle to the outside of the perch. Has anyone seen this before? Worth repairing? Having a hard time finding any for sale.
Sorry for no pictures, I keep forgetting the camera at home when I go to the shop.
Broken perch? Replace it. Start with Model T Haven. If no luck there try all the usual parts dealers. Most of them have used or NOS parts that aren't in their catalogues. If that doesn't get you one, let me know and I'll suggest a few more sources. Come to think of it, I may have one myself. Right or left?
Darn, since it is only where the shackle goes I was hoping someone had a reputable "Fix". Drivers side perch.
Repairing spring shackles is generally not considered a good idea.
I think this actually has later perches on it, the owner/driver did not know it had been welded until after the exciting ride.
On the plus side, a non-lowered front end drops the end of the spring onto the axle which is not quite so radical a drop. Maybe? Even so, steering could get pretty squirrely with only one end of the spring held to its perch. And if the wishbone ball yanked out, it could be all over really quick!
I have seen quite a few of the perches on eBad over the past few years. I even bought a couple of them. Sometimes they get awfully pricey. Then again, what is your life worth?
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
If you're willing to fill up the oiler hole to make it correct for your '14, those early perches turn up often on ebay. The ones without the hole are more scarce.
I think I have some NOS and used ones like your looking for danuser88@ktis.net
To save an otherwise nice early perch in which the bush had worn through and the perch too was worn, I did the following.
I turned a brass rod to the size of the OD of the bush. With this in place in the perch, I heated the eye of the perch and beat it down to fit the brass drift. This gave an acceptable hole for the bush. I then used my MIG welder to build up the outside of the perch eye, keeping the brass rift in place to act as a heat sink. The weld was hand filed to restore the original look.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.
We do about the same thing for Model A rear perches.
Allan, that is a great idea. I'll inspect it more. It seems a shame to call it a goner, when the rest of it is in such great shape; and when the missing piece is on top.
Thanks for the tip Mike!
John, I may be sending you a email.