General TR Lower wishbone arm attachment bracket advice needed

[ichthos]

I have a 69 TR6. I rebuilt the front end a number of years ago. While I had it disassembled, I noticed an amateur looking welding repair of the lower wishbone bracket. I know I should have had it checked by a frame shop at the time, but what do you do when the front suspension is now in hundreds of pieces in your garage? The lower wishbone arm did end up tearing a chunk of the bracket completely off last September. Does anyone know of a certified welder in Washington state that goes to residences to make these kind of repairs? Is this something critical/specialized enough that I should just bite the bullet and pay to have it towed into a frame shop? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Kevin

 

[Tr-Beg]

I you never have weld something let do it by a mechanic otherwise it is not a difficult job.

 

[TomMull]

A picture might help, but my guess is that it will be a fussy repair and in a place where access is difficult and it might also require a patch to the frame as well as a new bracket. Any good welder could do it but a frame specialist might have a better chance of getting the alignment right. Most welding shops have portable setups and will come to your place, for a price of course. But moving a wheelless vehicle is a chore too.
Perhaps a local club member or restorer could recommend a solution.
Tom

 

[Rut]

Kevin,
I know nothing about 69s...do they have the later suspension brackets and braces or is the frame more like the TR4a? If it doesn't have the brackets/braces you can get them from TRF and if you have AAA they can have it moved to a shop. I would do a search for welders in your area and call around and see what services they offer. As an FYI I had my frame blasted, front and rear suspension/diff braces welded in and everything powder coated for <$300, but it was a bare frame.
Rut

 

[Popeye]

Sorry to hear!

I'm thinking take a few pictures and bring them to a frame repair shop. Do you have a good one?

Alternately you could disassemble the front suspension to give some more room and have someone do the repair at your house.

Did the car track "straight" before the damage? (I.e. was the frame fundamentally straight?)

 

[TomMull]

Kevin,
I know nothing about 69s...do they have the later suspension brackets and braces or is the frame more like the TR4a? If it doesn't have the brackets/braces you can get them from TRF and if you have AAA they can have it moved to a shop. I would do a search for welders in your area and call around and see what services they offer. As an FYI I had my frame blasted, front and rear suspension/diff braces welded in and everything powder coated for <$300, but it was a bare frame.
Rut

For that price I'd strap the frame to the roof on my Saab (done it before) and drive to Tuscaloosa. I paid more than that just for blasting.
Tom

 

[ichthos]

I already have the suspension removed from the damaged side so I could get a clearer look at the damage. I will get some pics and post tonight.

 

[Rut]

For that price I'd strap the frame to the roof on my Saab (done it before) and drive to Tuscaloosa. I paid more than that just for blasting.Tom

Tom,The company is in Fairhope, AL across the bay from Mobile and they do a great job. I've had seat frames, hardware, bumper supports...even the defrost vents on the dash. He's a great welder and their main business is wrought iron fencing, gates, and railing...I'll probably use him for our deck railing on our new house if it ever gets built!Rut

 

[DavidApp]

Local company wanted $125.00 per wheel to blast and powder coat. I said they were already blasted and was told they always reblast so they can be sure their powder coat stays on.

I painted with rattle cans.

David