Questions on frame bending

[robe]

I need to spread my dropouts to move the wheel back to center. My frame has wish bones top and bottom.
I re read the thread on frame bending from September, good info there. Also, I've watched several you tubes on frame bending as well as the venerable Paul Brody on frame alignment. So I have some idea what needs to be done.

My questions are, if I spread the dropouts apart with all thread, how can I ensure that both sides will spread equally? Also what if any draw backs are there to using heat?

I'm thinking of spreading them apart and using heat on one side at a time to set them in place, I can make a gauge to measure a line from the head and seat tubes out to the dropouts to get both sides the same. After this is done, I would make a spreader block to go between the arms and pull the chain stays in using the same method to make them parallel to each other.

Am I on the right track?

I would appreciate any input on this. Thanks.

 

[GW's Motorized]

Heat could potentially cause a harder spot in the frame. I personally just cold set my frame a little wider than I needed and put spacers to make the wheel centered.

 

[darwin]

I've done that a couple of times. Just grabbed by hand and pulled them out a lil bit, not much was needed. Don't remember if the frames were steel or alloy. Good ? on getting them equal, you want the wheel to track straight.

 

[meridianPeteJ]

Something like this might help?

2 Pcs 11" Strut Coil Spring Shock Compressor Suspension Clamp Remover Installer | eBay

Remove Coil Spring to Replace or Repair Shock Absorbers, Spring Set Struts, etc. Use Externally to Compress MacPherson Strut Coil Springs. 2 x Shock absorber spring disassembly tool.

www.ebay.com

 

[darwin]

Something like this might help?

2 Pcs 11" Strut Coil Spring Shock Compressor Suspension Clamp Remover Installer | eBay

Remove Coil Spring to Replace or Repair Shock Absorbers, Spring Set Struts, etc. Use Externally to Compress MacPherson Strut Coil Springs. 2 x Shock absorber spring disassembly tool.

www.ebay.com

Turn those clamps around and that would be perfect. I'd still do it by hand myself.

 

[Amwicr]

Turn those clamps around and that would be perfect. I'd still do it by hand myself.

View attachment 206189

Hey...how'd you get a picture of me????

 

[darwin]

Hey...how'd you get a picture of me????

Mugshots.com

 

[Risk Man]

I used the threaded rod trick on my heavy steel Whizzer frame. It sprung back quite a bit. But it worked fine

 

[michael whiteman]

Assuming you have a steel frame, Gordy has the right idea in post #2.

 

[Wyvern]

Turn those clamps around and that would be perfect. I'd still do it by hand myself.

View attachment 206189

I agree, if you are strong enough to controllably move metal I'd do that.

If not, threaded rod would be my next choice.