what year wishbone?

36tbird

Well-known member
What years are the front wishbones more "U" shaped at the back where the ball is versus a sharper "V" shape. I was thinking that '46 to '48 wishbones were "U" shaped in the back but I saw one this weekend and learned I was wrong. Now I'm thinking that earlier wishbones like '34's are what I'm looking for. Are Model A's wider in the back? Are the balls all the same size throughout the years of wishbone suspensions? In other words, please look at this picture and tell me what year wishbone it is from. Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • wishbone 001.jpg
    wishbone 001.jpg
    45.3 KB · Views: 13
I think what you have there is a model A piece. '32-'34 ends are broader yet and the forging is not rounded. I believe the later balls are a larger diameter too.
 
32-34 wishbone rear yokes and ball have a flat web between them with a "B" part number in raised figures. The 32 bones are otherwise longer than the 33-34's (the opposite of what you might think...) but they use the same rear yoke.
 
Thanks for the info. Now, if anyone has one of the '32-'34 yoke pieces left over from someone splitting the wishbones, please contact me if you wish to part with it. Thanks, Lou
 
Lou. I think you are looking for a Model A drop off. The A's came in two styles. An inverted U and a X cross section. The 32-34"s all were X's. I have an A piece you can have. I don't know much about 46-48 bones so never offered before. I took some pics of 32 and both styles of A. I had been saving the piece for maybe use as the terminus on '36 bones.
I think all the balls are the same. I heard A's did not use the rubber ball so they are apt to be worn.
 

Attachments

  • P1020981.JPG
    P1020981.JPG
    102.9 KB · Views: 21
  • P1020982.JPG
    P1020982.JPG
    100.6 KB · Views: 31
  • P1020983.JPG
    P1020983.JPG
    99.2 KB · Views: 23
Thanks, Andy. Carry that thing around in your pocket until next time I see ya'. You'll be "Mr. Popularity".:D
 
Here's a link to Vince Falter's web site- http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/wishbones.htm
The part you're showing is from a '28-'29 Model A. '30-'31 is similar, but has the "X" profile forging. Model A's are much shorter than '33-'34 which are about 2" shorter than '32. Model A's also are set up for a thicker axle and appear to have a steeper caster angle. (Not too sure about that last bit.) I'm in the midst of making a '32 length wishbone using an A "yoke" in the back and '48 legs to go into an AV8.
Back to your original question, only A's and '32 thru '34 had the "U" back end. I'm pretty sure that '35 thru '48 had the sharp "V."
Additionally, if you want to use a Model A yoke with longer arms, you'll have to heat the yoke and bend one side at a time to get it to line up so the arms will go to the right places on the axle.

(Twice edited 5 Dec 10, rev link)
 
Last edited:
Back
Top