Original '32 spring shackles
 

Does anyone have a picture of an original Henry '32 spring shackle? I have looked all over and can not find a picture.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

Can't be 100% sure....but, that the way I have always seen them and do. This is on my '32. It has the inward curvature as seen on the photo. I would imagine there could be a lot of different designs since this part is neither here or there depending what factory supplied them.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

My roadster has what I believe are the original shackles.

Here's a picture.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps997657d9.jpg

The original build was as a groundsman's tractor in the early to mid 30's, so it only ever trundled across smooth grass at low speed all it's life. The shackles are the originals and in great nick. When I removed the spring to reverse it, I only undid one nut on each shackle plate. The nut with the split pin, although a little the worse for wear, is the original.

The shackle plates have a pleasant rounded appearance, more like a forging rather than a stamping.

The pins are the originals, and coincidentally, the perch pin nuts have never been removed either.

Mart.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

The shackles with rounded edges as shown in Mart's photo are originals and were forgings as he states. Those that are stamped with sharp, flat edges are aftermarket parts.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

Thanks for the pictures and info.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

I think that grounds man was a hot rodder he's turned the spring the wrong way .

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

If the shackle plates have the letter "M" stamped they are later about 1940. The original shackle bolts have holes for the cotter pins and later Ford removed the holes in replacement shackle bolts, but they can be drilled so the appearance is correct.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

The difference is more than just the absence of the cotter pin holes. The replacement shackle studs are shorter by 1/8" from the square section of the stud to the outer end of the stud and the result is that an original castle or slotted hex nut has to be modified and/or a smaller diameter than original cotter pin used to clear the opening for the cotter pin, even with the hole drilled as close as possible to the end of the stud.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

Below are a couple of photos showing the length difference between the original style shackle pin (with cotter pin hole) and the later style Ford replacement. As Dave describes in his posting above. The original style has about 2+ full threads extending past the nut and the later replacement is flush to the end of the nut. Even with the drilling of the cotter pin hole there will be a slight difference!

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

Did Ford ever offer anything like this as a replacement?

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

Yes, in the late '40s.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

Hey.....Firerod,,,,love that dropped axle....actually, I hate the look on the 'hammer drop'...and I have one on my Hot Rod that I built in 1961. You probably know that these are the first axles dropped by Ed 'axle' Stewart back in the late 40's. So, it's from the day....and we have to 'love' them because of its history.

Re: Original '32 spring shackles
 

I am going to use an original '32 axle under my roadster but I will save the "Dago" axle for something.