MTFCA Forum

Yesterday I made a test drive into town about 7 miles away after awakening my ‘19 centerdoor from a 2 year ‘slumber’ to ensure dependability before going before the camera at a 1923 movie shoot in 2 weeks. But I experienced the infamous front end wobble - twice. After safely making it home I immediately placed 2 jackstands under the front axle and began the necessary inspections. Everything appeared tight and oiled but I noticed open or relaxed coils in the 2 wishbone ball cap springs. Removing the wire, I found that I could tighten each nut about 9 revolutions. But this made the nuts too far above the cotter pin hole. So I removed the nuts and added lock washers before tightening down the spring again and adding tie wire. Therein lies my question: why springs ? Why not a stack of washers or a 1” spacer ?

Also, despite the presence of wire, check to make sure that the studs are fully screwed into their sockets.

Opinions vary, but I personally don't think that the springs are supposed to be tightened down into coil bind. If yours are weak, consider getting new springs.

So as the frame flexes the springs will provide some flex in the wish bone. The springs coils should never be bound by cinching them up till there is no ability for some relief as the frame flexes so my mentor explained to me. I could be wrong though. Best John

CudaMan wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 01, 2024 7:14 pm

Also, despite the presence of wire, check to make sure that the studs are fully screwed into their sockets.

Opinions vary, but I personally don't think that the springs are supposed to be tightened down into coil bind. If yours are weak, consider getting new springs.

I suspect when everything was new, there was a small gap & the springs kept constant load on the cap to allow for no wiggle in the ball socket.
If the cap is tight & there is still some ball wiggle, there is worn parts that need attention.
Fun fact: Those springs are used in 2 other places as well. Radiator mount & folding windshield 14-22.

I think the radius rod ball springs are longer and heavier than the radiator mount springs.

Allan from down under.

All good advice. Thanks friends. I shall go back and open up the slightest distance between coils.

It should be loose enough for the ball to rotate freely in the socket but tight enough that it will not move up and down. There should be some grease in the ball joint. It is quite common for the cap or the socket in the crankcase to be worn or the ball worn down. So be sure to check and correct these things.
Norm