Front wishbone bottom joint - fixing problem

[pbaker43]

Have a problem fitting the bottom joint, when I tightened up the three bolts one of the tubes split down the side, so looks like I will have to weld another in place.
But my main concern is that the bottom joint only just locates in to the bottom, the fixing tubes seem to sit high, has anyone else had the same issue and does it matter with regards to safety. (Sorry for the bad image the site will not accept photos from my camera)

[carsy]

That looks about right to me bar the crack.

[TVR Beaver]

+1.. thats how mine are... you just need to sort the tube (although It won't go anywhere if you dont as the location side to side is in the big central tube)..

[pbaker43]

Thank you carsy, and TVR Beaver (great photo) for the input, I would not worry too much about the tube if the joint sat correctly. On Monday I will ask a friend to weld a new tube on the wish bone. Perhaps I look for thing to be too perfect, but when it comes to brakes, steering, suspension all these can have an effect on life if they fail.

[pbaker43]

Thank you carsy, and TVR Beaver (great photo) for the input, I would not worry too much about the tube if the joint sat correctly. On Monday I will ask a friend to weld a new tube on the wish bone. Perhaps I look for thing to be too perfect, but when it comes to brakes, steering, suspension all these can have an effect on life if they fail.

[Harrytsg]

How have you duplicated your posts ............... 1.5 hours apart?

[pbaker43]

yes i have duplicate the post some how - sorry

[CHGRIFF]

When a tube cracks as shown you can be sure the other tubes are similar and have been subjected to the same ageing process loads and fatigue. You can be sure the others are near the same point. From the look of the WB there is extensive surface corrosion that has been painted over, therefore the wishbone must be at or near the end of its life. As a minor point, dont forget this connection between the lower ball joint and the WB is what holds the wheels on, failure hear would be catastrophic. To repair the wishbone would be like the young lad who put his finger in the dyke to prevent a flood! If you want your wheels to stay on, buy a new one. Well worth the money when you consider the consequence of failure at 100mph +. The tube in question is part of a sub asembly, pre welded before it is assembled into the WB arms where there is secondary welding ot hold the entire arm together. Welding on the outside only will be inadequate. My apologies for being negative, but don't want to see these failures on the road.

[carsy]

Have to agree. If it was mine i would be getting a new one.