bending the front axle?

Art Bjornestad

Art Bjornestad

Senior Member
There is a recent post that advised not to jack the car up by using the center of the front axle. Anyone else have an opinion on this? I have been jacking A's by the front axle for years but willing to learn something new.
 
Same here.

The additional question I have is they say not to pull an A by the front axle. If you don't tie something to the axle, what do you tie it to?
 
I would think you would need a lot more weight to bend the axle when jacking it up? They are pretty strong.
 
2935ford said:
I would think you would need a lot more weight to bend the axle when jacking it up? They are pretty strong.
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Absolutely. There's no way you could bend an axle simply by jacking the car at the middle of it.

As for towing, I think it would be possible to bend an axle if a strap/chain/cable at the middle got slack in it and was jerked hard. I would attach straps at each end of the axle just outside the spring perches for anything more than a short low-speed move around the yard.

Joe
 
Towing by the axle would make me apprehensive. The axle is connected to the flywheel housing and this connection is great for breaking the housing when curbs are hit. It is best to use the bumper brackets but not the bumper. Some bumper clamps provide about a 1/16" of pot metal holding them together.

As for jack placement under the axle is the way to go. If I recall the spec that axle has a tensile strength of 61,000 lbs. So figure around 30,000 lbs of stretch on the bottom plus a like compresson on the top of the axle I just can't see the axle being bent past its critical rebound point.
 
I'm with Joe on the towing method. Connect the tow rope or chains around the spring perches. If you tow it from the middle you will bend it. But towing is only a good idea for a very short distance anyway, due to potential damage to the trans.
 
If you happened to be so lucky to have to call AAA, I assume you would want them to tie their straps/cables/etc. on the bumper brackets to get the rig on a flatbed? If you had them put them around the spring ends, it would seem like it would be hard on the flywheel housing also. Just trying to get some thoughts for that fatefull day when I may have to do this. (Guess I should have more faith in my rigs to get me home but I am a chicken)
 
In 1971 when I moved to AZ from MN I towed 3 Model A's with a tow bar attached to the front axle. No problems with either the axle or transmission. It is a 2,000 mile tow using mostly freeways. Transmissions had the the regular level of 140W and was not filled to the top. I don't understand where the problems are. I have never experienced any.
 
Fred K-OR said:
If you happened to be so lucky to have to call AAA, I assume you would want them to tie their straps/cables/etc. on the bumper brackets to get the rig on a flatbed? If you had them put them around the spring ends, it would seem like it would be hard on the flywheel housing also. Just trying to get some thoughts for that fatefull day when I may have to do this. (Guess I should have more faith in my rigs to get me home but I am a chicken)
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Fred, you and I are suffering from "Model A Paranoia", at least, That's what I call it. Its when everything is working right and you still don't want to take her out for the fear of a breakdown and having to be towed home. Many things I can fix at home, but have that fear of something happening in the worst of places and not having the parts, tools, or skills for making an "on the spot" repair. So I stick around the neighborhood and baby her... any trip over 5 miles is an adventure. I hate the feeling and wish I could be more confident in myself and the Ford.

Richard
 
RcT said:
Fred, you and I are suffering from "Model A Paranoia", at least, That's what I call it. Its when everything is working right and you still don't want to take her out for the fear of a breakdown and having to be towed home. Many things I can fix at home, but have that fear of something happening in the worst of places and not having the parts, tools, or skills for making an "on the spot" repair. So I stick around the neighborhood and baby her... any trip over 5 miles is an adventure. I hate the feeling and wish I could be more confident in myself and the Ford.

Richard
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I wish I had a dollar for every "A" we towed by the front axle. I think some people just over engineer and think too hard. You know,"long range worrying" The "A" was made tough and it was made for the times. We were young, we just jumped in and drove, water, gas, and oil was all we were concerned with. A blowout was a major problem but the "A" mechanicals, meaning the parts that turned and supplied the power to the road were some thing we knew we could depend on. We carried some wire, pliers,friction tape a crescent wrench, string and soft hand soap (the last 2 were for leaking copper gas lines), and a jack. AND a piece of rope or chain to tow or be towed with! On a pleasant Sunday afternoon I would put the 3 older kids in the back and the baby between my wife and I and go for long rides in my 29 RPU.
We had faith in the "A". Guess we just didn't know better. I hear all of this re-engineering and I guess it could scare you. We just drove em!
 
Worry warts, you are!! Worrying about the ruggedness and dependability of an A Model is kinda like worrying about a MOSQUITO, large enough to carry you off while you sleep.:p
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
Worry warts, you are!! Worrying about the ruggedness and dependability of an A Model is kinda like worrying about a MOSQUITO, large enough to carry you off while you sleep.:p
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Ha,ha ! What would a guy from 'Fresno' know about mosquitos:)! It you want to know the truth about them (carrying people off)...talk to the boys in Alaska:eek: , or are they missing!!
Anyway, I'm with the 'model a axle is tough' crowd here. But, when you have bumper arms attached directly to the FRAME, why tempt fate. by pulling on the axle?
But, I've jacked them up in the middle of the front axle forever..no known damage.
BTW..if you're afraid to drive your A...all the way, mabe you are not confident in your work and your As overall condition.
Try this....when going out, take no spare, no tools and no tow rope. Only do this AFTER you are sure of your cars' condition/tires, etc:) Steel belted tires and bullet proof condition (read..new) instills confidence,eh!
 
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hardtimes said:
Ha,ha ! What would a guy from 'Fresno' know about mosquitos:)! It you want to know the truth about them (carrying people off)...talk to the boys in Alaska:eek: , or are they missing!!
Anyway, I'm with the 'model a axle is tough' crowd here. But, when you have bumper arms attached directly to the FRAME, why tempt fate. by pulling on the axle?
But, I've jacked them up in the middle of the front axle forever..no known damage.
BTW..if you're afraid to drive your A...all the way, mabe you are not confident in your work and your As overall condition.
Try this....when going out, take no spare, no tools and no tow rope. Only do this AFTER you are sure of your cars' condition/tires, etc:) Steel belted tires and bullet proof condition (read..new) instills confidence,eh!
Click to expand...

Steel belted tires! How old are you? Hell, tires were good until the second ply started to show! (on the rear) Have you ever heard of Recaps? Or Boots? If the car was stuck that deep where you thought you might bend something you got a shovel!
 
I asked on the original post, I've not had a problem jacking any front axle in the middle.. I do not however jack a rear drive axle in the middle..
 
About ten yrs. ago I bought a large collection of Model A parts. Some had come from a wrecking yard that specialized in A's. There were a few front axles that were bent. I tried to straighten one in my 20 ton press & it didn't budge. I don't think they bend very easy.
 
"BTW..if you're afraid to drive your A...all the way, mabe you are not confident in your work and your As overall condition."

You are correct. I am not confident with my work. Guess I need a few more years under my belt working on this thing. But it has been fun and as time goes on and a few more miles I put on it, I will venture out. Last long trip was about 45 miles on a rally type tour. She purred like a my wife's kitten! Ended up with third place!
 
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