The know-nothing newbie is a little confused about the technique of tying a Model T down to a trailer-deck with wheel nets in the belief that this eliminates the issue of over-stressing the wishbone ball & socket. -Is that logical? -But wait—maybe I'm putting the kart before the horse...
Regarding the risk of over-stressing the ball by trailering with the axle fastened down—I wonder whether there is a statistic to substantiate this concern. -How many here have actually had the experience of over-stressing the wishbone ball joint as the result of routine, otherwise uneventful trailering? -A show of hands, please?
In regards to your second question: No, never had a problem. Don't know anyone who has had this problem, but it seems like someone did once say they had seen it when I posed a similar question years ago. I'm still not too worried about it.
In regard to your first question: It's very logical. When you tie the tire down with a net, it's net force is only down. You can tie each wheel down independent of the others. It's when you do as I do and pull the front axle toward the front and the rear axle toward the rear that you are putting the ball and socket into tension. It's just that I only put it in enough tension to keep the strap tight. I don't try to pull the car apart.
Unless the whole front end is worn out it would be impossible for a human to pull the wish bone out, you would have to bend the perches, the frame and the wishbone the axle would try to pull the wishbone straight down, think about it, the same with the u-joint ball, can't happen.
Rick
I've had the T flat bedded on a tow truck more than once, and I watched them cinch the axles fore and aft as if on a torture rack, and nothing bad ever happened. It has a double wishbone for the front brakes, of course.
Bob, I have trailered for more than 35 years and never had a problem. I cross the straps in the front and in the rear and tighten them down just enough to keep the car from moving around on the road. I put rubber chocks under the front wheels and snug the tires against them with the straps and then I put just enough tension on the rear straps to keep them taught. As far as the wheel nets are concerned, I may be wrong but I believe the wheel nets have a lower rating than the straps.
Rick G.
You would not have to bend the perches, they are attached to the springs and springs are flexible. You may have to flex or bend the wishbone along with the front spring to do damage.
A few years ago there was a national TV show where they showed a wishbone ball pulled out of the pan socket when some strong arms were securing Model T snowmobile for an airplane flight to the Alaska bush.
Not only is it possible to damage the ball connection it is also possible to bend the engine pan if you pull too hard. But not to worry, they made jigs to straighten the pan and you may be able to buy one for about $5000 now in ebay here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-T-Ford-K-R-WILSON-Pan-Straightening-Jig-/231278427 279?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d944bc8f&vxp=mtr
Jim
Ralph do you have a grocery store set up in your shop for when you get the munchies or for your T buddies when they come over.
I know it's not your shop but I couldn't resist.
Good one, John. There's nothing to eat or drink in my garage.
That's Midway City Feed. It's a 3 generation family business, run like it was 60 years ago: no computers, no credit cards.
We have a half dozen exotic hens that are pretty good layers.