Bent wishbone

[NY John T]

Hi all,
I've been driving my 25 Touring a bit and have to pretty much hold the wheel tightly all the time. I looked under the engine and noticed that one of the radius rod arms has a very slight bend in it. Possibly from a long ago accident I assume. Would that have a lot to do with the car's tracking problem? Also is there a way to straighten the bend? it's not a severe bend, but I can detect it. Thanks,
John

[Norman Kling]

You need to check all the Ford Specs. I had one which the frame was bent leaving the right side about 5 inches lower than the left. That will cock the wishbone and also the u joint. So the whole car to pull to the side. You need to get the handbook and check all things from the frame to the wheel alignment.Even a spring which has slipped to one side where it is mounted to the frame or broken leaf. A lot to inspect.
Norm

[Steve Jelf]

My first thought is pressure with a hydraulic jack, and a yardstick to check straightness. That will take three non-yielding holding anchors, one at each end of the bent arm and a solid backup for the jack, facing the bend. If you can take it to a shop that straightens frames, that may be less hassle.

[NY John T]

Thanks Norm and Steve,
I was thinking the same. I was thinking I'd have to disassemble the whole front end, which is a winter project. Where can I find the specs on the frame/axle/suspension items? I would check all these before disassembly.
John

[RajoRacer]

Quite a simple task to remove the front wishbone - piece of wire, 2 cotter pins, 2-9/16" nuts & 2-15/16" or 1" nuts.

[Rich P. Bingham]

Where can I find the specs on the frame/axle/suspension items?

The MTFCA manual on axles is a good start. There is good information on front axle specs and geometry. Checking a frame “in full dress” is more of a problem. Stripped to the frame, it’s not difficult to check for square and straightness of the rails. Others will know better.

As for straightening the wishbone in the car by using a jack, i would be very leery that any force powerful enough to correct a bend might be too much for the connection at the oil pan. Best remove it from the car before working on it I would think.

[TRDxB2]

Thanks Norm and Steve,
I was thinking the same. I was thinking I'd have to disassemble the whole front end, which is a winter project. Where can I find the specs on the frame/axle/suspension items? I would check all these before disassembly.
John

This should help for specs https://modeltfordfix.com/front-axle-al ... el-t-ford/
This too ??

[TXGOAT2]

A bent wishbone will almost certainly affect the caster angle on one or both sides. Uneven caster will cause the car to pull to one side. If the bend is a result of hitting a curb, the axle and pan may also be bent. A bent wishbone could cause the axle to run at an angle to the center line of the car. A Model T in good condition is a pleasure to drive on any reasonable excuse for a road. They have good "road holding" and are quite stable up to and beyond 50 MPH on good roads. If your car pulls, shimmies, wanders, or fights the steering wheel, it needs service or repair.

[John kuehn]

If it were me I would take it to frame straightening shop or do it yourself. It’s not that hard to do. If you have a stable mounted vise mount it in the vise and use a 2” cheater pipe 4-5ft long and place it over the wishbone and carefully straighten it a little at a time.
Try that first, reinstall it and see how it drives.
If the frame is bent or the axle out of alignment the wishbone would have been knocked out of one or two on the 3 points where it’s attached.

Wishbones are fairly plentiful and usually in good shape too. Maybe somebody has one close to you.

[NY John T]

Thank you all,
I will be taking the front end apart this fall/winter. I did the same job on my 27 Tudor and got great results, although the axle wasn't bent. Next job is to put the car in the garage and say "goodbye" to this year's driving. Sniff... I do have the book on front axles and will be doing all the measuring before taking it apart. Thanks again all!
John

[TXGOAT2]

Get everything correct, and be sure the car's frame is straight, and you will be very pleased with how the car handles. Proper tire inflation is important for good handling, and frequent lubrication of the running gear, including the springs, will keep the parts in good condition and assure the best ride possible. Model T's in good condition ride reasonably well on most road surfaces. The engine/transmission serves as a frame cross member in the T, and both the front and rear axle assemblies are attached to it. Be sure the engine mounts are in good condition and secured to the frame properly. The clamps that hold the springs to the frame need to be tightened evenly. The Ford steering system is simple, but each part, from the steering wheel to the road, has to be in good condition for it to work as it should. It works very well when its working right, and with proper care, it will keep working right for thousands upon thousands of miles.

[big2bird]

Take it off and lay it on a flat floor. You'll see it.