I'll keep it simple...... I have a stock 28 sedan that is my daily driver. I have hit a pothole and bend my front rim. I put on the spare and noticed uneven tire wear. I'm assuming my axle is bent as the bottom of the wheel is kicked in, you can kind of see it in this pic. I have my 35 Ford wire wheels on the way 16x4 and my tires are ordered. 750's in the back and 550's up front, Firestone white walls from Coker. I was not planning on dropping the axle till I did juice brakes over the winter, but if I'm going to have it all apart anyway.......maybe just do it now. I will wait to do the brakes till winter time. Anyone have any experience doing this?
Anything is possible, but I think the additional work involved will exceed any benefits. In fact, I can't imagine any benefit, given you want to change to juicers anyway. You see that tube sticking horizontally from the backing plate? As I recall, that is supported at the axle end and dropping the axle will change the relationship of the tube and axle. So, at the least, the support would have to be modified. You can look around the linkages and see what else may be affected in that manner. Then decide. edit: Are you sure the axle is bent? A Model A has positive camber (wheel tilted out at top/in at the bottom). Put the car on as level a surface as you have and use an inexpensive angle finder against the backing plate on each side and compare the readings. Unless the right is off by more than one degree or so, I wouldn't think it is bent. 2 or 3 degrees...well, probably it is.
Since im driving, I can't find and link it. check my threads and also elrods for particulars. Also socaltex has posts on it. Use 32-34 perches, it raises the brake cross shaft, if you drop it more you can add a tab to space the shaft even higher.
Here's one of the past threads referenced: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-roadster-drop-axle-mechanical-brakes.591239/
Just drive it down to the local truck alignment shop and have it checked. After they see what it is they'll probably check it for nothing just to be able to say they did a model A. Dave.
I had a 3 in drop on my '31 pickup and kept the mechanical brakes. Like said above, I added tabs onto my stock perches to keep everything aligned. The taps never flexed and everything worked well in the end. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
It can be done but if you plan on juice brakes in the future just go ahead,bite the bullet and do it now. HRP
BE sure the front end shop checks caster and king pin inclination. (they check that on their turn plates) This will find whether you have a bent spindle. Spindles tend to bend before axles do...Seen many of them, was in the trade (frame & wheel) for years early on.
Okie Joe at Joe's speed shop will drop AND stretch your axle so you can use your stock Model A mechanical brake components. He is THE MAN!!! He did my axle and I could not be happier with it. Great guy and very professional/knowledgable. Quick turnaround and good prices. Andy
Hey Shane. Put a 32-34 front axle in it with 32-34 perch pins and Reverse the eyes on your front spring and that will bring her down. Throw a T spring in the back and she'll sit nice. Oh and your gonna have to put a spacer between your axle and wishbone but thats no biggy. Brad
Yes, it can be done, and no, mechanical brakes aren't that bad and the alignment isn't that complicated. My solution: 36 front axle, stock A-Wishbone, 32 perch pins, 30 Spindles, 30 Brakes, stock steering arm, a true bolt on:
shackle links!! don't worry about the 32-34 perches i could never find a decent pair when i ran a 32 axle (2" drop over A) with stock A everything else, A perches and i used a shackle link to use on the perch to actuator to make up the difference
It was actually a manhole cover that had lifted asphalt around it.....its not how big or deep it was, it's more about how hard I hit it. 45 - 50 MPH hit with front left wheel, steering wheel did the death shake till I came to a complete stop. After that, my rim was bent. I then put on my spare and 2 weeks later found a nice bald stripe on the (left center) of the tire.
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