For decades, a common hot rod process when installing split wishbones or hairpins has been to fabricate some form of tab or bracket for mounting the tie-rod ends to the frame below the framerail. With the new through-the-framerail wishbone mounting kits from Schraders Speed & Style, you no longer need to hang the wishbones from the bottom of the frame. You can simply just go through it!
The pieces are nicely machined components designed for use in all front and rear early Ford wishbones. This allows you to use whatever year wishbone fits your needs and tastes (generally just what you have handy). In addition to the new machined pieces to go through the frame and mount to the end of the wishbone, Schraders kits also include a new pair of quality tie-rod ends to complete the installation. Follow along as we show you just how simple it is to get your wishbones mounted through the frame with one of these kits.
Schraders kits include everything...
Schraders kits include everything to split a pair of front or rear wishbones and mount them through-frame (one side shown).
We started the installation...
We started the installation by center-punching the framerail in the location we wanted to put the tie-rod end through the frame.
We started tack welding the...
We started tack welding the bung into place once we were completely satisfied with its placement.
The finished weld should have...
The finished weld should have good penetration around the full diameter of the bung.
We ran a pilot hole through...
We ran a pilot hole through the face of the 'rail using a small drill bit. We then used the pilot hole as a guide to open up the framerail with a correct-size hole saw.
Although it's not necessary,...
Although it's not necessary, we went ahead and ground the weld smooth.
We removed any burrs left...
We removed any burrs left by the hole saw with a round file so we could slip the new Schraders bung through the frame and check the fit.
The next phase of the installation...
The next phase of the installation required work on the wishbones (if that is the style of axle locator you will be running; it will not require these steps if you are using a hairpin).
The burrs and excess metal...
The burrs and excess metal were removed from the inside end of the wishbone with a file.
We secured the tie-rod end...
We secured the tie-rod end by tightening the jam-nut against the wishbone insert after the tie-rod end had been threaded into place and the length was correct in the mounting hole.
The nut was then carefully...
The nut was then carefully installed and tightened on the tie-rod end inside the bung.
We dressed the outside of...
We dressed the outside of the wishbone with an air sander and then slipped the machined tie-rod end receiver into the cut end of the wishbone.
Schraders suggests the use...
Schraders suggests the use of Loc-Tite to secure the nut to the tie-rod end since a cotter pin can't be used with this style of bung.
The finished installation...
The finished installation of the Schraders Speed & Style through-the-frame tie-rod kit is totally clean and tucked up out of the way on extremely low cars.
The wishbone insert was welded...
The wishbone insert was welded permanently in place once it was determined that it was located in the proper length of the wishbone.
The end of the tie rod was...
The end of the tie rod was slipped through the frame.