[Tom Endy]

I have never removed a rear drum from a Model A and found the taper facing in and down. This morning the owner of a local Model A repair shop came to pick up a rear axle assembly I had just finished for him and I asked him how he installs the keys. He said he installs the keys with the taper up and out, but he grinds a small taper on the down and inboard side of the key to match where the axle tapers. He said that this prevents the key from riding up and jamming the drum. He also felt it was important that there be an up and out taper on the key to facilitate installation of the drum.

For my part I never knew there was any question how they installed. All I have ever seen are up and out and I installed them that way on any Model A I have ever worked on and never had difficulty.

What some have said here does make sense. Maybe grinding a separate taper makes sense.

Tom Endy