Right Hand Drive Front Axle

M

mrraford

Senior Member
Any RHDs here?
I'm rehabbing a front axle for a friend. Not may RHD A's in Oklahoma.
Can someone tell me if there are any differences between a LHD and a RHD front axle other than the steering balls?
I'm trying to run down any parts we will need to finish the project so it would be helpful to know any other differences.
thanks
 
I would think the only difference would be the steering arms. Balls are balls. The steering box would be a mirror image of a LHD car though I imagine, since it bolts to the right frame rail not the left.
 
updraught said:
What about the passenger side steering arm, with the one ball?

Same or different?
Click to expand...

It's different because about 10 years ago I bought an NOS double ball steering arm. After I got home I thought something didn't look right, and then figured out it was for a RHD.
 
The right and left steering arms with one ball are different.
Are you intending driving this car on the right or left side of the road. Set up the front end geometry differently to allow for the camber in the opposite direction.The settings given in all of the books are for driving on a LEVEL surface. You will find that the car will drive better if you make allowance for that and tyres will last longer.
 
forever4 said:
There is nothing to set up differently.
The toe-in is the only setting, and it does not matter/is the same LHD or RHD.
Caster and Camber are the same and not adjustable.

What 'geometry' are you suggesting to set up differently?
Click to expand...

The camber is adjustable - by bending the axle. Caster too, by twisting it although I see no point in doing so. It is the camber that is changed for LHD or RHD.
You are correct that toe in is the same for "both hands".
 
forever4 said:
It would be good to understand the design principles of a transverse spring solid beam axle, and specifically that of the Model A Ford and how its parts were originally designed, produced, and adjusted. Indeed!

The Service Bulletins are a good resource for all people with adequate reading comprehension. I don't even know anybody here with any of these but from what I read here, they probably are.

People are also free to bend their axles to suit their tastes. There are obviously different forces at play on a front end under a car on the different road cambers. Adjusting for that is common practice here amongst even modern car front end alignment shops.
Click to expand...

Back to the OP's question. Essentially, no difference between the two except for the steering arms. You'll also have to turn your LHD drag link end for end.
 
You cannot reverse the drag link ,it is "handed" for RHD . Before new RHD pitman arms were available in UK they were heated and twisted and "converted" to RHD ,seemed to work fine never heard of any failures .Easy check on which pitman arm you have ,lay ball up on a table ,if the ball is to the left it is RHD to the right it is LHD .

John in cool morning rain on the way Suffolk County England
 
Last edited:
The Drag Link is different You can't just turn it around .
If you do one of the Ball holes will be 180 degrees off!!

Think how Painful that would be!!
 
john charlton said:
You cannot reverse the drag link ,it is "handed" for RHD . Before new RHD pitman arms were available in UK they were heated and twisted and "converted" to LHD ,seemed to work fine never heard of any failures .Easy check on which pitman arm you have ,lay ball up on a table ,if the ball is to the left it is RHD to the right it is LHD .

John in cool morning rain on the way Suffolk County England
Click to expand...

I've converted a couple of LHD cars to RHD. The only way to use the LHD drag link after conversion is to reverse it.
John, if you take your check and turn the link end for end and rotate it 90 deg, you have the opposite hand - same drag link. Try it.
 
I have done this.

I reversed the RHD pitman arm, and the LHD drag link fits , albeit the ball is on the other side but it works.
 
midgetracer said:
I have most of RHD setup for a 30 ford including a near perfect gas tank. PM me if you need it.
Click to expand...

I'd be interested to know if you can see the terne plate in the tank?
The vintage tank clean out man here says he has never seen it. I've only seen rust, so I'm wondering about those Canadian tanks.
 
I look in the local hot rodder's workshop scrap bin whenever I am there .

Usually get a few goodies as he is not a hoarder.

A while back, I picked out an absolutely perfect terne lined 30 gas tank.

But...... it was only the bottom half and front as it had been plasma'd clean off.

I am a hot rodder, and even I cringed...

It was mint inside, still shiny with just a hint of browning from the gas.

When I wanted the room under dash for my last rod, I put away my real nice tank and bought a $30 rusty useless tank and chopped that .

I would post a pic, but some of you may have nightmares.
 
pooch said:
I have done this.

I reversed the RHD pitman arm, and the LHD drag link fits , albeit the ball is on the other side but it works.
Click to expand...

Turn the drag link end for end and rotate about the horizontal axis by 90 deg in the appropriate direction and you don't have to reverse the pitman arm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top