How to lower the A.

[Chris Haynes]

I know there was a thread about this however a search turns up everything else but.
In searching for a 1932-1934 front axle I find them to be made of unobtainium. I have found a '37 front axle. However the spring perches are much further apart than the A and '32-'34. My question is if I fit it with Model A perches and a '37 spring will it work on my A?
Secondly what would I do for the wishbone as the A isn't wide enough and widening it will shorten it.
Should I toss this idea and continue my search for the '32-'34 axle?
TIA for your help.

[harryc]

you can go pretty low by reshaping the springs

[pooch]

Sounds like you want to do it on the cheap., or you would just buy a dropped axle and bolt it in.

You can easily re-arch the front main spring leaf the opposite way in a shop press to make it a reversed eye, and straighten the other leaves a bit to also lower the whole spring.

Will gain you a 2 inch drop easy.

[Bob C]

Here are new ones. http://www.posiesrodsandcustoms.com/...y-i-beam-axle/


Bob

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

You can go 32-36 I have another stock 36 axle I might be interested in selling. Not sure of shipping cost etc.

[Brendan]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

i got a 4 in dropped axle in my car

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by pooch

Sounds like you want to do it on the cheap., or you would just buy a dropped axle and bolt it in.

You can easily re-arch the front main spring leaf the opposite way in a shop press to make it a reversed eye, and straighten the other leaves a bit to also lower the whole spring.

Will gain you a 2 inch drop easy.

By using the '32-'34 axle and reversed spring eyes you will get a 2"drop and still look stock. I have no desire for a dropped axle.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Once again 32-36 are the same part number
B3020. 37 is part number 78-3010 Interestingly enough there is a larger 32 axle, but it’s not listed in the orange 28 to 37 parts book.

[Mike V. Florida]

These are great answers and on the HAMB forum (sister to this one) they specialize in these kinds of mods. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...l-hot-rods.57/

[updraught]

Google "fordbarn model a ford lower front axle"

[Kahuna]

Chris
I may be able to help
PM sent
Jim

[Dodge]

I’ve bought 3 of those axles off of eBay. They come up every once in awhile. Keep looking,
They only hard one to get is the early “heavy” 1932 axle.

[1931 flamingo]

According to David G there is NOT a heavy axle. FWIW
Paul in CT

[Jim Brierley]

'32-'34 have the same contour, '35 and later have the wider spring perches as you noted. '32 had both the std. and heavy axles. Good luck.

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

These are great answers and on the HAMB forum (sister to this one) they specialize in these kinds of mods. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...l-hot-rods.57/

True. But sadly they don't have a SEARCH function.

[redmodelt]

Don't need a search function on HAMB try this in your google search box;

hamb; dropped axle


I just tried it and a whole bunch of links to HAMB and dropped axle.

Works with fordbarn; xxx too.

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

Don't need a search function on HAMB try this in your google search box;

hamb; dropped axle


I just tried it and a whole bunch of links to HAMB and dropped axle.

Works with fordbarn; xxx too.

Thank you. But I am looking for a stock axle, not dropped.

[wensum]

I am running a '32 front axle which gives a 1 1/2" drop but it also brings the tie rod that much closer to the chassis and under extreme conditions the tie rod rubs on the chassis. I did have a 4" dropped axle, but that caused all sorts of problems with the tie rod and a goose necked tie rod causes all even more problems. Unfortunately it would appear that no-one makes dropped steering arms to fit the Model A Stub axle.
Heating the original steering arms to lower them has the effect of moving the ball joints closer to the axle centre line and that makes fitting the tie rod very difficult.
Bob Drake sells perch bolts that enables you to keep the Model A Brakes with the '32 axle.

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by wensum

I am running a '32 front axle which gives a 1 1/2" drop but it also brings the tie rod that much closer to the chassis and under extreme conditions the tie rod rubs on the chassis. I did have a 4" dropped axle, but that caused all sorts of problems with the tie rod and a goose necked tie rod causes all even more problems. Unfortunately it would appear that no-one makes dropped steering arms to fit the Model A Stub axle.
Heating the original steering arms to lower them has the effect of moving the ball joints closer to the axle centre line and that makes fitting the tie rod very difficult.
Bob Drake sells perch bolts that enables you to keep the Model A Brakes with the '32 axle.

Wensum,
Thanks for your knowledge. My A has already received juice brakes.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

True. But sadly they don't have a SEARCH function.

Sure it does, look for the tab with the picture of a magnifying glass

[zzlegend]

Is this it?????????????????????????????????

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...+model+fashion

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Sure it does, look for the tab with the picture of a magnifying glass

Thanks for pointing that out. I was looking for the word SEARCH.

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by zzlegend

Is this it?????????????????????????????????

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...+model+fashion

That is it.
Thank you.
Now I printed it. :-)

[zzlegend]

Ok.

[Randy in ca]

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

'32-'34 have the same contour, '35 and later have the wider spring perches as you noted. '32 had both the std. and heavy axles. Good luck.

1932-36 axles are the same dimensionally (same widths and hole locations) and are totally interchangeable (as someone noted earlier). There was only ONE 1932 axle and it has a thicker profile, thus the often used "heavy" nomenclature. The 1933 axles (at least some of them) have a thicker profile in the center section between the wishbone holes. 1934-36 axles are identical - the difference in spring mounting for 1935-36 is a factor of the wishbones only. All these axles are 1/4" thinner at the wishbone attaching holes and a spacer must be used when using them in conjunction with Model A wishbones. All but the 1932 axles are reasonably priced and should be easy located.

[lake_harley]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

In case you haven't already found this thread, here's a HAMB thread that's sort of a step-by-step progression on lowering an A. I'm currently involved with doing the same thing with my '31 Coupe. I have all the parts to do it every way listed, with the exception of a reversed eye rear A spring. Not sure just where mine will end up.....or down. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...odel-a.995027/


Lynn

[Chris Haynes]

Thanks Jake.

Originally Posted by lake_harley

In case you haven't already found this thread, here's a HAMB thread that's sort of a step-by-step progression on lowering an A. I'm currently involved with doing the same thing with my '31 Coupe. I have all the parts to do it every way listed, with the exception of a reversed eye rear A spring. Not sure just where mine will end up.....or down. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...odel-a.995027/


Lynn

[100% Matt]

Millworks sell's everything you need from Old Yankee Speed Co.

https://www.millworkshotrod.com/coll...ankee-speed-co

[Chris Haynes]

They possibly would have the used parts I am looking for. The shipping cost from coast to coast would be the problem.

Originally Posted by 100% Matt

Millworks sell's everything you need from Old Yankee Speed Co.

https://www.millworkshotrod.com/coll...ankee-speed-co

[100% Matt]

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

They possibly would have the used parts I am looking for. The shipping cost from coast to coast would be the problem.

Shipping is not that bad, I ship to CA all the time. Smaller parts can ship via flat rate boxes

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by 100% Matt

Shipping is not that bad, I ship to CA all the time. Smaller parts can ship via flat rate boxes

Axles won't fit in that box. :-)

[jukenut 16]

Hi wensum, I have a '32 axle and perches plus '32 stub axles (spindles) but these have had the arms heated and bent slightly for another set-up. I'm told we are not allowed to heat and bend here in NZ?. Having trouble finding another set of RHD '32 stub axles.
What did you end up using? I'm keeping the rod brakes.

[Kurt in NJ]

I had 6 people in the car and it was pretty low-- one of them even bought me ice cream so it was cheap todo

[wensum]

Originally Posted by jukenut 16

Hi wensum, I have a '32 axle and perches plus '32 stub axles (spindles) but these have had the arms heated and bent slightly for another set-up. I'm told we are not allowed to heat and bend here in NZ?. Having trouble finding another set of RHD '32 stub axles.
What did you end up using? I'm keeping the rod brakes.

I've still got the standard Model A stub axles brakes etc., the only thing required was a spacer machined up for the small difference in the depth of the axle at the radius arms which I guess you must have done also?
Cast iron drums and all brake components re-bushed or replaced have given excellent brakes. Heating and bending may not be legal, but done by an expert should be safe?