MTFCA Forum

Hi all,
Can anyone tell me how to tell if my spring perches are bent? Do they normally become bent through use, overuse, or from an accident? The both perches were installed facing forward on the axle (boss facing forward not backward as it should be). The passenger side of the axle had a SMALL amount of correct (negative) caster. The driver side had positive caster. In addition, the axle was slightly bent. Judging from damage on the driver side fender, it had been in some kind of accident. Not only that, the wishbone had been broken welded back with a piece of angle iron added for strength.
So driving down the road was a little sketchy at any speed above 20.
What have anyone's experience been with finding if the spring perches have been bent?
Thanks in advance,
John

They do not normally bend, but an accident might bend one or both. If the spring perches are installed in the axle backward, that will destroy handling stability. I'd replace the damaged wishbone and check the wishbone socket area of the pan for evidence of damage or poor repair. Intalling the spring perches correctly should make a big difference in how the car handles. For best ride and handling and maximum safety and reliability, all worn, bent, cobbled up, or mis-matched steering parts should be corrected.

If the perches are backwards as you describe, the axle was put in backwards. This is a huge problem. Remove the spindles & turn it around. First step. Then see how everything looks.

It would be difficult to determine if the perches bent without removing them & comparing them together.
"overuse" no, but, check the bushing wear.
From your description you have multiple issues. The way to cure it right would require a full tear down & checking the axle with parallel rods. How bad are the other wearing parts of the steering system?
Removing the perches is a delicate job to not ruin the threads. (How to's can be looked into from past posts)

The method for readjusting caster ( the cant of the axle) is to put a big bending tool outside the perch on the axle & bending back into spec.
I use a 3' pipe wrench with a 6' pipe extension. I might try this, if needed after getting the perches located correctly, As a stop gap until you tear apart the front end & restore completely.

With all the variables/damage reported, it is time for a rebuild, starting with a bare axle. This is a task for someone with a knowledge of what he is doing, the necessary alignment pins, and the equipment to make necessary corrections.

Allan from down under.

As stated above you first need to get the axle & its parts back to their correct position.
There may be a reason that the perches are on backwards and that is if they had bee-hive Hassler Shocks (pancake style did not have the reversed)
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Now here's the rub.... what else is wrong with your setup. Rotating the axle 180 degrees corrects the perches but then what about the spindles will the left hand threaded nut be on the correct side?
Removing perches can be an impossible task most of the time.
A few ways to check the axle