What do you think happened?

S

Safari bob

Member
A few days ago, the engine in my 31 SW stopped along the road. It came home on a flatbed. I replaced the points, condenser and coil. It runs very well now.

However the problem is that before I had transported it on the flat bed, the steering seemed to be good and tight and did no wander. Now the car seems to wander. The tow company pulled car onto the flat bed using a winch and straps around the axle on both sides. To secure it for the 1/2 mile trip, they first secured the rear with straps through the spokes on each rear wheel. They were required to use another front hold down in addition to the winch. They used a strap through the spokes of the right front wheel. The attachment point for the hold down was front and right of the wheel. What should I be looking for? Thanks.
 
My God......never a strap through a Model A (or any other) spoked wheel. Every wheel that was "strapped" could be bent, as could the front axle, depending on where the winching straps were pulling on the axle, and HOW tight he cinched it down. I'd also check the tie rod for a "bow". DD
 
I agree with coopman... I would make sure they didn't initially hook the tie rod and bend it as well. I have seen this several times. An examination is in order for straightness and of course check tow in. I agree Model A wheels should not be used as the pull/stress down .

Larry Shepard
 
Find out what they bent or broke and call them for reimbursement..... Parts,,,labor plus alignment....
I would let them know what's up ASAP
If you can't see the issue with the naked eye put it on an alignment machine...
Something could also be bent in the rear causing the thrust angle to be off
 
As others suggested, check the tie rod... :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Mine when I first got the car.
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Thanks for giving me things to check out. I watched as the front straps were attached and they did not go over the tie rod. The straps were attached just inside each of the wheels between the wheel and the spring perch.

I will do some checking and let you know what I find.

Thanks for the information. I learned something the hard way.
 
Look for the axle to POSSIBLY be bent forward just outside each perch. The perch area itself is the ideal spot to pull from because the forward force is supported by the wishbone being tied-in to the chassis. Hopefully you find no damage and this was all in your imagination. DD
 
If you have a Model A expert nearby get him over ASAP Tell the towing company you are having examined to ascertain the problem and if it was caused by their serviceman you will hold them responsible. Wayne
 
I checked the tie rod and it was fine. The front wheel where the car had been strapped was bent. I put a pointer next to the edge of the rim and spun the wheel. Probably 1/2" to 3/4" out from the lowest point.. Unfortunatly, I can't say for sure that the strapping caused the bend as I believe the seller of the car had cherry picked the best for himself. I put a straighter wheel on the car and it seems a little better, but that could be my wishful thinking. Thanks for your assistance.
 
I would be "checking" on a new tow operator -

I ran a wrecker for many years during the old Ernie HOLMES days - :o

Best of luck on the repairs -

CS
 
For only a half mile trip, I wouldn't have strapped it down, other than the cable used to pull the car onto the bed. For a longer trip I'd put a strap around the rear axle to prevent forward movement, but why did he strap the tires? I've used a rollback to move a lot of cars and never strapped tires. The only time I strapped tires was when I used the stinger to move a car, but those straps could in no way bend a rim.
 
Maybe rotate your wheels front to back and back to front to see if there's a difference. While they're off, have them balanced.
 
One only can imagine how a Model A would drive at 45 MPH with one (1) right front wheel traveling 3/4" in & out ...... especially if mechanically synchronized with a slightly bent left front wheel.

Toe-in & Toe out varying at 3/4" + 1/16" = 13/16" ....... in addition to right wheel camber varying in & out at an unknown rate.

Our compassionate wishes coincide with yours ..... i.e., the strapped wheel maybe got bent and everything else appears OK.

Let us know.
 
I too think it's a bent spoke on the wheel. I have towed A's with a tow bar attached to the axle and have had them pulled onto a truck by the axle with no problems, but I have never witnessed a wheel strapped through the spokes.
 
Modern rollback operators love to run tie-down straps through modern wheels, which can take the stress. BUT no way our old thinner wire wheels were made to take such pressure. Always tie down classics with axle straps only.
 
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