The Ford Barn

Lightning · 07-13-2017, 03:41 PM

I had an old gent tell me that the front axle on my 26 roadster is mounted backwards. Is that possible?
The previous owner drove it this way.

29spcoupe · 07-13-2017, 03:52 PM

It looks like you don't have enough caster. A few more pictures would be helpful. And yes, it is possible to mount the front axle backwards. You might only have to change the spring perches. John

29spcoupe · 07-13-2017, 03:58 PM

You should also check the hub nuts. The nuts on the spindles are threaded. They should tighten towards the rear of the car. If they tighten towards the front of the car, the spindles are backwards. If the nuts tighten towards the front, they will not stay tight when you drive. John

redmodelt · 07-13-2017, 08:31 PM

In your case yes it is backwards. The tangs on the perches should be at the rear. The easy way to fix and yes it needs to be fixed before you wreck the car, is to turn the axle around. Keeping the spindles on the same side as they are now. The spindles have left and right hand threads at the bearing mounts and need to stay on the correct sides.
The axle itself dose not have a front or back from the factory. The perches do. I also suggest getting a copy of the Service Manual.

Lightning · 07-15-2017, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the replies.
I'm a newbie.
So,
What is best way to remove and turn the axle?
Radius rods off at axle?
Steering arms off at the axle?
Spring off at the shackles?

Where's a good jacking point?

Royce P · 07-15-2017, 04:01 PM

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Jack the car and put truck jackstands under the frame just forward of the middle of the engine.

Take out the kingpins. Leave the wheels on, leave the steering alone.
Take out the shackles.
Take the nuts off the wishbone (leave it attached to the engine).
Turn the axle around and bolt everything back together.

Lightning · 07-15-2017, 06:04 PM

Thanks a lot.
Sounds easy.

What could possibly go wrong. ;/
I'll check the hubs too.

austin1911 · 08-17-2017, 07:26 AM

They should have a bit of a forward tilt, think of how a bicycle fork has a forward bend.

If it is reversed, your steering could get a little squirrely.

Jack Innes · 08-17-2017, 09:09 AM

The axle should lean toward the back of the car when observed from the top. This is caster. I have found a greater caster angle improves the steering going forward. It is the caster that makes a T not so good to drive backwards. If it is close it will be OK - adjusting the caster involves bending the axle.

07-13-2017, 03:41 PM	#1
Lightning Junior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 11	Front axle? I had an old gent tell me that the front axle on my 26 roadster is mounted backwards. Is that possible? The previous owner drove it this way.

07-13-2017, 03:52 PM	#2
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 761	Re: Front axle? It looks like you don't have enough caster. A few more pictures would be helpful. And yes, it is possible to mount the front axle backwards. You might only have to change the spring perches. John

07-13-2017, 03:58 PM	#3
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 761	Re: Front axle? You should also check the hub nuts. The nuts on the spindles are threaded. They should tighten towards the rear of the car. If they tighten towards the front of the car, the spindles are backwards. If the nuts tighten towards the front, they will not stay tight when you drive. John

07-13-2017, 08:31 PM	#4
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Front axle? In your case yes it is backwards. The tangs on the perches should be at the rear. The easy way to fix and yes it needs to be fixed before you wreck the car, is to turn the axle around. Keeping the spindles on the same side as they are now. The spindles have left and right hand threads at the bearing mounts and need to stay on the correct sides. The axle itself dose not have a front or back from the factory. The perches do. I also suggest getting a copy of the Service Manual. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

07-15-2017, 12:13 PM	#5
Lightning Junior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 11	Re: Front axle? Thanks for the replies. I'm a newbie. So, What is best way to remove and turn the axle? Radius rods off at axle? Steering arms off at the axle? Spring off at the shackles? Where's a good jacking point?

07-15-2017, 04:01 PM	#6
Royce P Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa OK Posts: 476	Re: Front axle? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jack the car and put truck jackstands under the frame just forward of the middle of the engine. Take out the kingpins. Leave the wheels on, leave the steering alone. Take out the shackles. Take the nuts off the wishbone (leave it attached to the engine). Turn the axle around and bolt everything back together. __________________ 1910 Touring 1914 Touring 1915 Touring 1917 Torpedo Runabout

07-15-2017, 06:04 PM	#7
Lightning Junior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 11	Re: Front axle? Thanks a lot. Sounds easy. What could possibly go wrong. ;/ I'll check the hubs too.

08-17-2017, 07:26 AM	#8
austin1911 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 29	Re: Front axle? They should have a bit of a forward tilt, think of how a bicycle fork has a forward bend. If it is reversed, your steering could get a little squirrely.

08-17-2017, 09:09 AM	#9
Jack Innes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 704	Re: Front axle? The axle should lean toward the back of the car when observed from the top. This is caster. I have found a greater caster angle improves the steering going forward. It is the caster that makes a T not so good to drive backwards. If it is close it will be OK - adjusting the caster involves bending the axle. __________________ Jack Innes, Brooklin, Ontario