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Technical Lowered "A" with stock brakes..

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Joey Anchors, Apr 15, 2015.

  1. Joey Anchors
    Joined: Feb 21, 2012
    Posts: 109

    Joey Anchors
    Member

    I'm planning out a '30-'31 Model A build for the coming year/s. My goal is to keep the drive train (along with stock wheels - no fender high boy) and stock braking system.

    After doing some reading I think I'll be going with reverse eye springs front and rear. What I don't know is with the plan to put in RE springs and hairpin radius rods will I still be able to run the stock mechanical brakes?
     
  2. Crankhole
    Joined: Apr 7, 2005
    Posts: 2,634

    Crankhole
    Member

    Yes. But for aesthetics, I'd stick with the stock wishbone.
     
    Joey Anchors likes this.
  3. Check the archives on fordbarn.com and if you can't find anything try a post there. It has been discussed there in the past by guys building speedsters. My choice would be to use hydraulic brakes for safety.

    Charlie Stephens
     
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  4. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,097

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    I think Elrod did a post a while back on doing mech brakes on a dropped a that was pretty comprehensive Id do a search
     
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  5. Joey Anchors
    Joined: Feb 21, 2012
    Posts: 109

    Joey Anchors
    Member

    Thanks guys!
    I just tried a search and nothing came up. I would love to read that thread.
     
  6. ^ me too I turned up nothing and I am interested as well.
     
  7. Juggler
    Joined: Aug 20, 2010
    Posts: 78

    Juggler
    Member

  8. CTAV8
    Joined: May 18, 2014
    Posts: 107

    CTAV8
    Member

  9. Joey Anchors
    Joined: Feb 21, 2012
    Posts: 109

    Joey Anchors
    Member

  10. Easiest way to lower is with a 32-6 axle...gives you approx 1 1/2" of drop. Coupled with a reverse eye spring and the removal of a couple leaves, you could easily have 3 3/4" to 4" of drop. If you go this way, you can either use 32-4 spring perches or make small extensions to lengthen the mechanical brake tab on the stock A perches.

    Here is the most common set up using;
    • 32-6 axle
    • 32-4 spindles
    • 32-4 perch pins (a bronze bushing is needed to reduce the size of the 32-4 perch to accept the Model A shackle - I'm using McMaster Carr part# 6381K5, cut to length)
    • Model A king pins
    • Model A brake actuators
    • Model A spring
    • Model A wishbone (a 1/4" spacer is needed to take up the difference between the 32-4 axle and the Model A wishbone - I used McMaster Carr part# 91201A036)

    [​IMG]

    To use a dropped axle, you'd need to make sure that the axle was also stretched (aka stretch-dropped). You'll need to make an extension to lengthen the brake actuator mount when using either the 32-4 perch or the Model A perch.

    Here is my setup - copied directly from @woodiemike's thread "Lakes Pictures P.R.C." using;
    • "Dago" dropped & stretched 33-6 axle (dropped approx 2 1/4" over a stock 32-6)
    • 32-4 spindles
    • 32-4 perch pins (with '39 Ford front shackle plates as spacers to align brake actuators)
    • 32-4 king pins
    • 32-4 brake actuators (shock mounts on the 32-4 spring perches may need to be removed for brake rod clearance)
    • Model A spring
    • Model A wishbone
    **Steering arms will need to be bent for clearance with most dropped axles. Here is mine (mocked up) - still need to bend steering arms, weld shock studs onto the axle, and remove the shock mount from the spring perch.

    I'll also be running a reverse eye spring for a total of 5" of drop - the most seen on mid-late 1940's hot rods.

    IMG_20150416_141330.jpg

    Hope this helps!
     
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  11. TBone69
    Joined: Aug 21, 2007
    Posts: 833

    TBone69
    Member
    from NJ

    I'm currently building the same front suspension as gwhite. For the 34 Perch bushings I cut down Model A rear spring bushing both in length and OD.
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2015
  12. Here's another view of the dropped axle/mechanical brake setup, copied directly from the Wilmer McNatt roadster shown in the "Lakes P.R.C." thread mentioned above. Still need to heat & bend the steering arm and cut the shock mount off the perch, but otherwise, it's identical. (Original set up on the left - my 're-creation' on the right)

    Brake Setup.jpg
     
    Joey Anchors, CTAV8 and Carter like this.

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