Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-07-2017, 01:47 PM   #1
brianpharmd
Senior Member
 
brianpharmd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 141
Default Front axle spindle angle template

I am wanting to check to ensure that my front axle is straight. I have watched the Diablo A's rebuilding DVD and in it they discuss maching rods to place in the spindle and radius arm mounts on the axle. I don't have a lath or other device to machine these rods - are there any other suggestions out there that are homemade or options people have purchased from hardware/craft stores?

Also, I need to check the angle at the spindes - 7 degrees I believe. In the DVD, they use a template. I reached out to the Diablo A's about obtaining a copy of the template but did not receive one back. Does anyone have a copy of a template they used or something that has worked for you? I want to check and then provide something to the machine shop that will do the work on the axle if the angle is not correct.

Before posting, I searched the forum using "template" or "axle+template" or "front+template" and did not find any threads within the past 4 years.

Thanks!
Brian
brianpharmd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2017, 02:44 PM   #2
Floats
Senior Member
 
Floats's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mossel Bay, about 300km from Cape Town
Posts: 530
Default Re: Front axle spindle angle template

Hi Brian,
I down loaded a cell phone App called ‘ angle pro’ which instantly changes your phone into an extreamly accurate inclinometer.
__________________
Regards
Chris
Cape Town
28 Model A RPU, 29 Chevy Phaeton, 67 E Type FHC, 67 250SL Pagoda, 83 911 SC
Floats is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-07-2017, 03:27 PM   #3
Chuck Sea/Tac
Senior Member
 
Chuck Sea/Tac's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma
Posts: 2,351
Default Re: Front axle spindle angle template

You can get a magnetic triangle level from any Lowe’s or Home Depot.it will tell you your axle angle ect.
Chuck Sea/Tac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2017, 05:04 PM   #4
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: Front axle spindle angle template

I made a set of rods on tapered bushes to fit in the holes and mounted the axle in a vice so that the king pin eyes were horizontal (checked with a straight edge and spirit level). An eyeball is all that is needed to see if the axle is straight and that it isn't twisted. To check the king pin inclination, The rods were about 1.4 m long (4'7") I dangled a plumb bob from the top of them and measured the distance from the string to the rod at the bottom. 1.4 X sin 7* = 0.17m. In the old imperial system, that is 4.33". Simple trigonometry.
I did 2 axles. Both were twisted and had an inclination of nearly 8*. Without a press, it was more than I could do to straighten them so I went to a guy who does standard axles and ones for hotrods. (He puts up to a 4 1/2" drop in them.)
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2017, 05:19 PM   #5
Brian T
Senior Member
 
Brian T's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Diego,Ca
Posts: 1,377
Default Re: Front axle spindle angle template

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Hi Brian,
This is the way I checked my axle for angles, the axle beam has to be level side to side, I made up a way to hold alignment rods, and used a simple angle gauge., see pics, seems a little crude but works, 7 degrees could also be 8 degrees from what I understand.
After installing the rebuilt axle I made up another rig to check the angle of the wheels, I now have that angle app as Floats mentioned and is accurate checked against automotive gauges.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0431.jpg (71.9 KB, 39 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0438.jpg (51.6 KB, 42 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0441 (1).jpg (46.4 KB, 41 views)
__________________
Nothing can be made foolproof, ---- fools are ingenious bastards.

Last edited by Brian T; 12-07-2017 at 05:21 PM. Reason: adjusted text
Brian T is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:42 PM.