Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

My Axle is a 1933. The Spindles are 1937-1941. The Wishbone is a 1930. All is fitting together well, except the Tie Rod. Whether I mount the Tie Rod on top or bottom of the Spindle arm it hits the Wishbone. If mounted on the bottom it is smack in the middle of the wishbone. If on top it is about 1/2" into the top of the Wishbone.
Would it be safe to heat and bend the arms on the Spindles. Or make a Tie Rod with bends on the ends?

https://i412.photobucket.com/albums/...ps40e0e68n.jpg

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

"Would it be safe to heat and bend the arms on the Spindles."

That's how it is done. Do not try to modify the tie rod ends! With a dropped axle you have to bend the arms if you are using original spindle arms.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

That's gonna be NICE looking. Like JSeery said above, heating and bending those arms is the way guys have been doing it for 85 or so years now. When you heat them, be SURE to let them cool NATURALLY....no dousing with water or such. DD

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

When you heat and bend, do so whilst maintaining correct Ackerman geometry.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Willys tie rod ends of the era will drop your tie rod below the wishbone (the thread size is the same as used by Ford). Further, I seem to recall newly-made ones being available now.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Brian beat me to mentioning to read up on the proper Ackerman if you don't know what it is.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Just make sure you don't bend them in,or out. It will screw up the Ackerman angle.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Speedway has the dropped tie rod ends. They say they are for '48-'60 Ford truck, but they will fit '37-'48 spindles.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Just make sure you don't bend them in,or out. It will screw up the Ackerman angle.


This all depends on the wheel base of the vehicle; quite conceivably you may have to bend in or out as well as down to maintain the correct geometry.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Brian is absolutely correct when it comes to maintaining the correct Ackerman. It all depends on wheelbase length. DD

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Or, you could run the tie rod through the wishbone!
I have seen this done, but sorry, can’t find a picture now.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

One thing to consider besides Ackerman is that the tie rod moves down as the wheel is turned. Need to check this. Also Okie Joe told me to bend at the root of the arm.

John

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

If you're using a 34 type wishbone they favour the tie rod being above by the way they are shaped. You will need to retaper the holes in the spindles so the ends can go in from above and you will probably need to bend them up as well. As stated try and retain the ackermannn. Make sure you turn the spindles from lock to lock and maintain a clearance between the tie rod and the wishbone. There does not need to be a lot of clearance as long as there is some.

Re the tapers. Going half way from both sides is ok. It has been done many times before. You will need to buy or borrow a 7 degree taper reamer to do it.

Mart.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Looking at the Speedway Dropped Tie rod ends it is hard to tell how far they drop the tie rod. I put it together and measured and this will solve my problem. Its just too bad they don't have them in stainless. :-(

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Bend the arms; those dropped tie rod ends are not very cool looking.

However; if you are limited in having an adequate torch; they may be something to consider. You will also need to narrow your tie rod as they take up more length.

Here is a picture that may give you an idea of how much they may lower the tie rod.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Yahoo...I had never seen those before. They look pretty damned substantial, and judging by the Mtn. Dew can in the background, look like something approaching a 2" drop. DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1579475127

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

ugly!!! real men bend the arms

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Came to say the same. I'll post picts. of what NOS ones look like. Get your wallet out. New ones are $150 a piece. I believe they are for a '37 Willys. Which ever the model year it was before they switched over to hydraulic brakes.

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

I had the same problem on my AV8 and ended up buying Speedway dropped tie rod ends. Hangs a little lower than I like, but they fixed the problem. I have Speedway dropped steering arms, and I know they are not Ford quality, so I didn't want to try and bend them.


Bob

Re: Problem with front axle made of a mixture of parts.
 

Matt on Iron Trap Garage shows how to drop the steering arms on the 1939 Forgotten Hot Rod project episode 13. The steering arm work begins at the 8:25 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9t-Ji3w6W4

The name Ackermann was not mentioned during the modification.