In today’s installment in our continuing series, StreetRod 101 DVD guru Bob Hamilton handles the front wishbone installation on the 1927 T-Bucket Roadster Project.
Front Wishbone Installation
“The wishbone brackets were made from ½ x 3 inch cold rolled steel with a 5/8ths hole drilled and chamfered for the mounting bolt. I build a little heavier than some , but I would rather depend on a 5/8ths inch bolt than a ½ inch bolt when my life is at stake. To mount/tack these brackets to the frame, I use a small piece of 1x1x1/8 angle c – clamped together and the wishbone mounted so that I can adjust the angle from the frame to the axle.”
“With the angle clamped to the bracket, I then use a large clamp to clamp the assembly to the frame and adjust the angle to the axle. I will usually bring the rear of the front wishbone bracket to the front of the firewall and this seems to bring everything into proportion. When everything looks good, then I tack the bracket to the frame and use the same procedure on the opposite side.”
“As you can see, the stock front wishbone is too long and must be cut. Also notice the front wishbone bracket to the axle is at an angle. This is because I set the axle at a 4 to 6 degree angle for the caster angle. I need the wishbone shorter so that I can raise the wishbone up to mark the axle in order to cut it at the correct angle.”
“With the front wishbone cut at the proper angle, I block it up to where it is centered or put where I want it, and then tack it in place. I use the same procedure and set up on the opposite side to ensure that both are as close as possible.”
“With all the spacers and clamps removed, I can check to see that everything is lined up, angled, spaced, squared away and that both sides are as close as possible. If not, then I would cut the tack loose, reset and re-tack.”
“Here is a front shot to the back showing how great the whole thing looks.”
This is just one element of street rod chassis building that Bob Hamilton covers in complete detail in the StreetRod 101: Hot Rod Frame & Chassis DVD. If you don’t have them already, take a look at the incredible range of content contained in the helpful StreetRod 101 DVD Library which we make available through our sister site, StreetRodPlans.com.
If you’re enjoying this series leave a comment below and we’ll continue showing you how Bob Hamilton builds this cool 1927 T roadster. See you again soon.
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TBucketPlans.com originated in 2005 as a personal blog extolling the virtues of T-Buckets. In 2009 I blogged about Chester Greenhalgh, the "how to" genius who wrote the legendary, out-of-print “How to Build a T-Bucket Roadster for Under $3000”. That led to a friendship with Chester and our partnership in marketing the updated eBook version of his T-Bucket building bible. The T-Bucket fire burns stronger and stronger.
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