1935 Ford 5 window Axle

mumbles89

mumbles89

Junior Member
i just got the body off my coupe and im starting to tear into the suspension and replace things that are in need of it. the first thing im looking at is the front axle. it needs to be replaced but im not sure if im measuring it right. i figured that you go from kingpin eye to king pin eye but i get 48" and all the axles that i'm seeing are 46" or 47" so im not sure which one i should get and all the shops that Ive talked to just say "eh it should fit the same". so i dont really have too much confidence in them
 
First and foremost........Many AFTERMARKET I-beam axles don't follow factory width measurements between kingpin centers and perch pin centers. This can really come back to haunt ya when trying to use the stock wishbone, and with fitting stock OR aftermarket springs.

So, you say that your front axle "needs to be replaced". Why have you decided it needs to be replaced? Are you looking for a dropped-type axle? These axles seldom just wear-out. There are a few folks around the country that drop stock axles and totally rebuild and straighten the axles and holes for as-new condition, and original parts will bolt-on as designed. You ABSOLUTELY cannot find an aftermarket I-beam axle that has the quality, forged steel of a rebuilt original Ford axle. So, what are you trying to do? We can help! DD
 
Coop is absolutely right.
The only things that can go wrong are Bending (as in an accident),
or that the holes for the king pins are worn, but can be bushed, if necessary.
 
it needs to be replaced because the car was sitting in a backyard that got irrigation on a regular basis for 26 years and when i started looking at the frame once the body was off the front axle looked like it was rusting some but i assumed that i was surface rust. and i broke the rust and could see the metal in the chunk. and when i took the piece off you could tell that it had eaten at the axle
 
Maybe need to get a better ID on your front axle; before proceeding.

If your axle measures 48" on kingpin centers, it may be likely that someone
installed a later front end. Many times done as way to get juice brakes.

A '35 axle should be 50-1/2" on kingpin centers and 36-1/2" on perch bolt centers; along with a 2" height at the perch bolt.

'37-'40 axles are 48" on kingpin centers and 38-1/2" on perch bolt centers; along with
approx 2-1/4" height at the perch bolt.

Makes a difference in selecting an axle and other mods to make it work.

If your not sure; post a couple pictures, lots of knowledgable people here to help.

Used original Ford axles are readily available too, if your axle is that bad. No need to go
with an aftermarket axle unless you want the drop.
 
Last edited:
"Used original Ford axles are readily available too, if your axle is that bad. No need to go with an aftermarket axle unless you want the drop."

IMHO the original axles are much better even for a dropped axle. They look much nicer, are made of better material, etc.
 
Nostalgia Sid's (axle dropper) webpage (link below) shows 1932-36 axles having a kingpin to kingpin distance of 50-1/2".

I have confirmed this, measured on a stock 1932 axle.


http://www.droppedaxles.com/FORD_AXLES.html


The only stock early Ford axles having a measurement anywhere close to the 48" you're measuring would be the 1937-41 axles with a Kp to Kp measurement of 48-1/2".

Pictures would help to identify what you're dealing with. Good, stock 1933-36 axles are not hard to find and reasonably priced.
 
JSeery said:
"Used original Ford axles are readily available too, if your axle is that bad. No need to go with an aftermarket axle unless you want the drop."

IMHO the original axles are much better even for a dropped axle. They look much nicer, are made of better material, etc.
Click to expand...

I guess that goes without saying; I should have worded it differently. Just trying to say original axles are common and reasonable.

Randy in ca said:
Nostalgia Sid's shows 1932-36 axles having a kingpin to kingpin distance of 50-1/2".
Click to expand...

Fixed that, don't know what I was thinking and we just did a small batch of '33-'36 axles yesterday.
 
IMAG43091_zpsmk52j0u4.jpg.html
 
Photo bucket pictures look like a dropped '33-'36 axle with a '37-'40 wishbone. Maybe some pictures from the front would help ID better.
 
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