I think I read somewhere that you should not sand the weld that runs down the legnth of the wishbone tube on the top. I have split mine and would like to clean them up. Seems like it would be ok to me but what do you say? OK or NOT OK ?
I don't think I've seen wishbones with the weld on top. Are you sure you have them right side up? The ones I have and have seen have the weld on the bottom, and no I'd leave them.
I don't know if it's ok to sand them. The A's I have are welded on the bottom, the others I have are welded on the top. Lucky667
Ya, A bones have the seam on the bottom. The a rears I have aren't even welded. If I remember correctly the later V-8 bones have a much thicker wall then the A bones do. So if you have A bones, I wouldn't grind them.
I could never understand why some folks say not to grind the weld on a wishbone or a dropped tube axle like a Superbell etc. What good is a bit of weld sitting up on top of and axle or radius rod?
I left mine when we chromed them because the chromer showed me where his broke back in 62 after he ground them smooth. Split the weld and then then bent about 30 degrees. Good enough reason for me to leave em as Henry intended.
i wouldn't grind on them. i'm leaving mine alone, scares me to think what would happen to have one let go out on the freeway.
When I built my rear axle locater "A" frame I made it from some late 30s rear wishbones and I ground the weld off to make them smooth. My rear suspension consist of my "A" frame that is connected to the bottom axle housing with pretty stout tabs on both sides of the center section and the center of the "A" frame has a 3/4 inch Heim joint that mounts to the center crossmember right under the drive shaft front U joint. To keep the rear end from rotating I have a pair of adjustable links that connect to the top of the axle housing and then to about the center of the links that I made from the wishbones. Well I have a habit of doing a short burn out when I come into my garage and I think this practice is what have caused the lower wishbone sections to start bending and one is cracking along the weld area that I ground smooth. Now I have a little shit box 2 liter 4 banger for an engine and my car weights around 1500 so if this can happen with this small motor a good V8 would have bent these into pretzels a long time ago. One of the things that you will find when you grind Henry's weld off is that it is pretty poor and is filled with pin holes and slag. If I were to do it again, I would grind out most of the original weld and then completely reweld, which is what I am presently doing. I am also adding some section to the area that is bending to eliminate that problem. Probably won't stop doing the burn outs. Rex
Having cut them apart and seeing first hand the crappy weld...no Vee in the joint so no worthwhile penetration...I personally wouldn't even dream of grinding the weld! Having said that...It's very likely that not all the bones out there exhibit the same lack of penetration. The problem is...how do you tell the good from the bad????? If I simply HAD to grind them I'd first slice the original weld, then Vee properly and reweld with good penetration. That way you know what you have.
I've seen some that had water in them then freeze causing the weld to crack, a good indication about the weld's strength. Also, if they're pitted on the outside there's a good chance they look worse on the inside. Could be that grooving out the weld and rewelding would be a good way to go.
Grind the weld down, take your cut off wheel and cut a line down the seam... Then re-weld with proper pentration and grind them smooth. You'll be fine.
These are not A bones. They were spring in front and I cut that part off. They are very thick and heavy. I like the idea of rewelding them. That big ol narley weld on top looks like crap. I also like the idea of spending time on something else, like finishing the car.
I have the later thicker ones with the weld on the top. I cut them through about 2" behind the pin, rotated them 180 degrees and welded them back up. Now the weld is on the bottom. A little tip. If you ate going to have them chromed take all 4 parts to the polishers before re-welding, your polishing man will appreciate it! Here's mine after polishing and before I re welded.
I mag-partical tested mine, and both showed a crack the full length of the seam. Hogged them out and rewelded them.
Thats a good idea. My shop next door neighbor does that. I love it when a plan comes together. Thanks for all the help, good answers here.
Sure enough, I cut them to length today and the crack was very visible on both bones from the inside headed out. They didnt get anywhere near full penetration when they welded them. The crack had not yet made it all the way out, but if I had ground off the welds I bet I would have seen it. It was almost to the surface. I will be rewelding them.
Check this site, they make nice stuff, http://shop.hotrodwishbones.com/cat...D1640043367496AC445.qscstrfrnt02?categoryId=2
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