Narrow Track A Axles

Mike Crehan said:
is anyone making front or rear axles in narrower track than original? Alternatively has anyone narrowed a rear axle?
Click to expand...

A front axle can be made in any width or configuration.
Likewise, a rear axle can be either narrowed or widened to any dimension.
Almost any big race fab shop can do it.
 
When a friend put hydraulics on his Model A, he went to ALL the trouble to NARROW his axle housings by 1/4" just to gain hub to backing plate clearance!!!----"Why didn't you just turn a little off the backside of the drums"??-----"OH, that would have been TOO EASY"!!!
Bill W.
 
Thanks for the replies - I am in New Zealand but I have the facilities to do the machining myself and I can get welding done. If I can buy a front axle then it seems the easier and safer route to go. Can you give me any pointers to possible suppliers?

As for the rear axle any tips on pitfalls to avoid from someone ho has done it would be great.
 
Streetrod axles are mostly '32-6 pattern, dimensionally about the smae as A but lower stock as well. They are generally cast (!) and all are lower than any stock A axle, but many are slightly narrowed in kingpin span to keep modern tires under fenders. I think those are the only source for anything like a narrower A axle off the shelf.
Narrowed A rear axles were once commonly done...MANY early dragsters used Model A quickchanges and drastically narrowed axles.
 
Mike Crehan said:
Thanks for the replies - I am in New Zealand but I have the facilities to do the machining myself and I can get welding done. If I can buy a front axle then it seems the easier and safer route to go. Can you give me any pointers to possible suppliers?

As for the rear axle any tips on pitfalls to avoid from someone ho has done it would be great.
Click to expand...

When a rear axle is narrowed or even welded on, it needs to be straightened, no matter what anyone says. The instant you touch it with weld heat it is bent.
Straightening involves having 4 plugs that fit in or around the 4 bearing surfaces with the same size holes in all of them. A precision ground bar is slid through all 4 holes to check alignment. If the bar doesn't go, heat and water is applied to the proper area till it slides through all 4 easily.

I used to build the rear ends for Penske Racing when they were running the Can Am series and I wish I had a dollar for every one I did.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top