The Ford Barn

JunkyJud · 02-17-2022, 07:49 PM

I am putting new king pins in a '30 roadster that I bought recently. I didn't notice it when I took them out but the tapered pins install from the rear and the nut installs at the front of the axle. This spindle stop nut should normally go towards the rear if I'm not mistaken which tells me that my axle is turned around backwards. I'll probably flip it around but it makes me wonder if there is any difference in geometry with the axle turned around.

Keith True · 02-17-2022, 08:04 PM

The axle has no front or rear.Those holes are drilled straight,if they are tapered then they are egged out.You drive the bolts in from the front.The nuts on the rear are the spindle stops.

chrs1961815 · 02-17-2022, 08:36 PM

The tapered part of the pin is caught by the groove in the king pin. I do recall that the axle was supposed to go a specific way due to geometry but I cannot remember at the moment.

Bob C · 02-17-2022, 09:01 PM

As Keith stated there is no front or back to the axle.

JunkyJud · 02-17-2022, 09:18 PM

Thanks for the replies. Why would the lock bolt not go in one way but will go in the other? I have a spare axle and it is the same way. If I try to put the bolt in on the one side, at the point where the threads end and the shaft starts, it will not pass through the hole at all and is slightly larger than the axle hole. I even tried doing this with the old lock bolts that I took out and they are the same way, they only start into one side. Would it be possible that the stop nut side of the hole got closed up somewhat due to the tightening of it?

Mikeinnj · 02-17-2022, 09:51 PM

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The nut faces the rear as per Brattons Catalog.

Synchro909 · 02-17-2022, 10:48 PM

As has been said, The nut on the cotter pin goes to the rear and acts as the steering stop. Don't drive it in - just pull it in with the nut or you are likely to stretch the hole. That's one of the first things I look at when inspecting a Model A.

gdmn852 · 02-18-2022, 10:59 AM

Hello, I believe the kingpin are right and left handed to orientate the brake shaft correctly.This would be the slot in the kingpin that aligns the part you are talking about as mentioned the nut is towards the back and acting as a stop .

katy · 02-18-2022, 11:32 AM

The pins and nuts on my '31 were installed back to front when I bought it. I removed them and re-installed them in the proper orientation w/out any problems.

02-17-2022, 07:49 PM	#1
JunkyJud Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 93	Front axle direction I am putting new king pins in a '30 roadster that I bought recently. I didn't notice it when I took them out but the tapered pins install from the rear and the nut installs at the front of the axle. This spindle stop nut should normally go towards the rear if I'm not mistaken which tells me that my axle is turned around backwards. I'll probably flip it around but it makes me wonder if there is any difference in geometry with the axle turned around.

02-17-2022, 08:04 PM	#2
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,989	Re: Front axle direction The axle has no front or rear.Those holes are drilled straight,if they are tapered then they are egged out.You drive the bolts in from the front.The nuts on the rear are the spindle stops.

02-17-2022, 08:36 PM	#3
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Front axle direction The tapered part of the pin is caught by the groove in the king pin. I do recall that the axle was supposed to go a specific way due to geometry but I cannot remember at the moment. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

02-17-2022, 09:01 PM	#4
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,754	Re: Front axle direction As Keith stated there is no front or back to the axle.

02-17-2022, 09:18 PM	#5
JunkyJud Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 93	Re: Front axle direction Thanks for the replies. Why would the lock bolt not go in one way but will go in the other? I have a spare axle and it is the same way. If I try to put the bolt in on the one side, at the point where the threads end and the shaft starts, it will not pass through the hole at all and is slightly larger than the axle hole. I even tried doing this with the old lock bolts that I took out and they are the same way, they only start into one side. Would it be possible that the stop nut side of the hole got closed up somewhat due to the tightening of it?

02-17-2022, 10:48 PM	#7
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Front axle direction As has been said, The nut on the cotter pin goes to the rear and acts as the steering stop. Don't drive it in - just pull it in with the nut or you are likely to stretch the hole. That's one of the first things I look at when inspecting a Model A.

02-18-2022, 10:59 AM	#8
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: Front axle direction Hello, I believe the kingpin are right and left handed to orientate the brake shaft correctly.This would be the slot in the kingpin that aligns the part you are talking about as mentioned the nut is towards the back and acting as a stop .

02-18-2022, 11:32 AM	#9
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Front axle direction The pins and nuts on my '31 were installed back to front when I bought it. I removed them and re-installed them in the proper orientation w/out any problems. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!