Technical information

75
Sizing Chart
size of bolt size of bolt
to be fishwired used to make the fishwire
¾" ............................................................................... 9/16"
9/16" ............................................................................... ½"
½" ............................................................................... 7/16"
7/16" .............................................................................. 3/8"
3/8" .............................................................................. 5/16"
5/16" ............................................................................... ¼"
¼" ................................................................................. 10
Figure A
Figure B
Figure C
Figure D
Figure E
‘Fishwiring' a bolt
Towing and Suspension Solutions
ROADMASTER, Inc. • 6110 NE 127th Ave. • Vancouver, WA 98682 • 800-669-9690 • roadmasterinc.com 85-1677-00 rev. 03 12/07
F
ishwiring is a technique used to install many automotive after-
market accessories. If the available space is too small to po-
sition an attachment bolt by hand, a length of wire is threaded
onto the bolt, and the bolt is maneuvered into position using the wire,
which is then removed.
Two bolts are used. Both bolts must have the same thread pitch, but
different diameters — the wire is first wound around the thread of a bolt
which is 1/16" smaller in diameter than the bolt to be positioned (refer to
the Sizing Chart below). Then, the wire is threaded off the smaller bolt,
and onto the larger bolt.
1. First, position a sufficient length of 0.025" to 0.035" wire (welding
wire was used in this example) along the base of the smaller bolt (inset,
Figure A).
2. Wrap the wire along the thread grooves of the bolt, as shown in
Figure A, for at least five complete revolutions.
3. Hold the wire in one hand and turn the bolt with the other, until the
wire is free (Figure B).
4. Trim the wire with a pair of side cutters (Figure C).
5. Thread the larger bolt onto the wire (Figure D). Then, center the wire
to the bolt — with a pair of pliers, twist the wire at the end of the bolt so
that it extends away from the bolt in a straight line (Figure D).
6. Maneuver the free end of the wire through the closest available
space, and through the attachment point. In this example — Figure E — a
carriage bolt and backing plate, which will be used to attach a tow bar
mounting bracket, is fishwired through an existing opening in the frame
rail, and into position.
7. Once the attachment bolt is in position, pull on the wire to remove
the wire from the bolt (inset, Figure E).