How to lower the A.

Chris Haynes

Chris Haynes

Well-known member
I know there was a thread about this however a search turns up everything else but.
In searching for a 1932-1934 front axle I find them to be made of unobtainium. I have found a '37 front axle. However the spring perches are much further apart than the A and '32-'34. My question is if I fit it with Model A perches and a '37 spring will it work on my A?
Secondly what would I do for the wishbone as the A isn't wide enough and widening it will shorten it.
Should I toss this idea and continue my search for the '32-'34 axle?:confused:
TIA for your help.
 
Sounds like you want to do it on the cheap., or you would just buy a dropped axle and bolt it in.

You can easily re-arch the front main spring leaf the opposite way in a shop press to make it a reversed eye, and straighten the other leaves a bit to also lower the whole spring.

Will gain you a 2 inch drop easy.
 
pooch said:
Sounds like you want to do it on the cheap., or you would just buy a dropped axle and bolt it in.

You can easily re-arch the front main spring leaf the opposite way in a shop press to make it a reversed eye, and straighten the other leaves a bit to also lower the whole spring.

Will gain you a 2 inch drop easy.
Click to expand...

By using the '32-'34 axle and reversed spring eyes you will get a 2"drop and still look stock. I have no desire for a dropped axle.
 
Once again 32-36 are the same part number
B3020. 37 is part number 78-3010 Interestingly enough there is a larger 32 axle, but it’s not listed in the orange 28 to 37 parts book.
 
I’ve bought 3 of those axles off of eBay. They come up every once in awhile. Keep looking,
They only hard one to get is the early “heavy” 1932 axle.
 
'32-'34 have the same contour, '35 and later have the wider spring perches as you noted. '32 had both the std. and heavy axles. Good luck.
 
Don't need a search function on HAMB try this in your google search box;

hamb; dropped axle


I just tried it and a whole bunch of links to HAMB and dropped axle.

Works with fordbarn; xxx too.
 
redmodelt said:
Don't need a search function on HAMB try this in your google search box;

hamb; dropped axle


I just tried it and a whole bunch of links to HAMB and dropped axle.

Works with fordbarn; xxx too.
Click to expand...

Thank you. But I am looking for a stock axle, not dropped.
 
I am running a '32 front axle which gives a 1 1/2" drop but it also brings the tie rod that much closer to the chassis and under extreme conditions the tie rod rubs on the chassis. I did have a 4" dropped axle, but that caused all sorts of problems with the tie rod and a goose necked tie rod causes all even more problems. Unfortunately it would appear that no-one makes dropped steering arms to fit the Model A Stub axle.
Heating the original steering arms to lower them has the effect of moving the ball joints closer to the axle centre line and that makes fitting the tie rod very difficult.
Bob Drake sells perch bolts that enables you to keep the Model A Brakes with the '32 axle.
 
wensum said:
I am running a '32 front axle which gives a 1 1/2" drop but it also brings the tie rod that much closer to the chassis and under extreme conditions the tie rod rubs on the chassis. I did have a 4" dropped axle, but that caused all sorts of problems with the tie rod and a goose necked tie rod causes all even more problems. Unfortunately it would appear that no-one makes dropped steering arms to fit the Model A Stub axle.
Heating the original steering arms to lower them has the effect of moving the ball joints closer to the axle centre line and that makes fitting the tie rod very difficult.
Bob Drake sells perch bolts that enables you to keep the Model A Brakes with the '32 axle.
Click to expand...

Wensum,
Thanks for your knowledge. My A has already received juice brakes.
 

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