New Front Axle

[CatMan1]

Does anyone sell a new front axle for the Model A?

[nkaminar]

You can buy new forged drop axles that are meant for hot rods. I don't think new stock type for the Model A are available. You can restore an old axle or buy a used one that is in fairly good shape.

What is the reason for your question?

[CatMan1]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

You can buy new forged drop axles that are meant for hot rods. I don't think new stock type for the Model A are available. You can restore an old axle or buy a used one that is in fairly good shape.

What is the reason for your question?

I'm thinking ahead on a possible complete front end rebuild. It might not need it, but thinking ahead. I've got the 'Death Wobble' and really stiff steering! I did notice that when I wiggle the steering wheel the whole front axle moves front to back. Maybe just tighten some things up? I also can just drop the king pins in the axle holes without any force at all.

[Will N]

If the whole axle is moving, take a look at the ball at the end of the wishbone where it attaches to the bell housing. I'd bet it worn way way out.

[katy]

Check the tightness of the U bolts that hold the front spring to the crossmember.

[Gary Karr]

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If you are going to rebuild your front end, have your axle checked and straightened.

[Ruth]

The whole axle moving could be a lot of things, including, as mentioned, the wishbone ball, spring u-bolts, even the shackle bushings and lose spring perches.

[chrs1961815]

Rarely are front axles not repairable. They are sometimes bent but they can be straightened on a press. The difficult part can be removing perches if they are damaged.

You can check your axle for straightness. Ask around and see if anybody has a jig for that. There were period made ones for the Model A and I am sure somebody has also made a homemade fixture.

[rotorwrench]

Ford used alignment rods that had movable tapered cones to center the rods in each of the 4-bores There was a gauge that could be connected to either the perch bores or the spindle bores to check the angles. I believe they were 7 degree angles from the I-beam vertical centerline for all four and the rods were to be in alignment with the I beam lengthwise center line.

Axle bores can be milled oversize and fit with a repair bushing to repair for excessive wear. A person can keep looking at flea-pay or swap meets for decent ones or call parts sources that also sell used parts. If you have a local club chapter, a person can check with them too. They will generally help with a number of things depending on member capability.

With death wobble, looseness in any steering pivot point can contribute to unwanted steering feedback. I always roll each front wheel and tire to see if i they roll straight. Tread separation can really make a tire get off track.

[chrs1961815]

Rotorwrench the 7 degree specification is correct. A friend has a set of the gauges just like that.

[springerpete]

Bert's in Denver selected a really good used axle for me. That was 2500 miles ago and all is well. Bill

[GeneBob]

You can probably stick with original but Posie's Rods and Customs sells a new forged 1932 "heavy" axle to the stock dimensions. This would lower your front end by about 1 1/2".