40 Ford drop axle

[TJ]

As I recall I think I used 195X75 on my '40 coupe. I have 205-75 on my current tudor '40. They are a tad too big in my opinion.

[Newc]

You all Know about using '36 axle and wishbones in a 37-40 chassis? More room for the drop and the spindle arms. Wishbone 'spread' is narrower and the axle bosses are 2".Newc

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by pistonbroke

I bought the bolt on arms for my 41 pickup. They were an easy way to go and avialible in one to four inch drops. Tim

As a side note: I used a Magnum 4 in. dropped axle and steering arms. Make sure the bolts that secure the dropped steering arms DO NOT BOTTOM OUT when installed. You can see the two steering arm bolt heads in photo #3. Use Loctite.
The little red cap covers grease fitting on extender to clear steering arm.

[TJ]

I've also used a Magnum axle on three cars. Instead I used Chassis Engineering steering arms as they are bolted through the arm, spindle, and the backing plates(if using drum brakes) and secured with a nut.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

As a side note: I used a Magnum 4 in. dropped axle and steering arms. Make sure the bolts that secure the dropped steering arms DO NOT BOTTOM OUT when installed. You can see the two steering arm bolt heads in photo #3. Use Loctite.
The little red cap covers grease fitting on extender to clear steering arm.

[19Fordy]

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THANKS, Pete

[Sid]

I think I am in for a fight. I started to prepare to remove axle on 40 today. Going okay until I got ot the bolt on left perch. My impact socket my good long Snapon breaker and 2 foot cheater and still no go. Heat will be on tomorrow. I have a feeling I will need to remove wishbone from the car and leave attached to axle and work on in the open with a rosebud. My question is is the wishbone easy to unbolt from the car. I can't remember if I've ever removed one before.

[sidevalve8ba]

Heat is your friend.

[19Fordy]

Sid, Wishbone with axle and spring assembly is easy to remove on a 40 Ford. Jack car up and remove U-bolt nuts and then wishbone cup. Do not lay down under axle assembly when doing this. USE 4 LEGGED JACK STANDS. When you use heat do not hammer directly on the threaded end of the perch bolt to harshly or you will damage the threads. Be sure to keep a threaded nut on the threads to prevent distortion. Use anti seize when reassembling.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Sid, Wishbone with axle and spring assembly is easy to remove on a 40 Ford. Jack car up and remove U-bolt nuts and then wishbone cup. Do not lay down under axle assembly when doing this. USE 4 LEGGED JACK STANDS. When you use heat do not hammer directly on the threaded end of the perch bolt to harshly or you will damage the threads. Be sure to keep a threaded nut on the threads to prevent distortion. Use anti seize when reassembling.

[tubman]

Removing the spring perch bolts is the real problem here. It has been approached on the H.A.M.B. several times. Check this out : https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...4/#post-948132.

Some folks think it is better to pull them out : https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/.../#post-1548429.

There are a lot of threads over there on the subject. It might be worthwhile to spend some time going through them.

[19Fordy]

Sid, One more thought. If your 40 doesn't have a "sway bar", now is the time to replace the perch bolts that will accommodate a sway bar.

[Sid]

Thanks 19Forty... It does have a sway bar. I got the perches out. Not too bad. I heated the boss up and took my air chisel with a blunt punch and walked them out. No damage. I notice the piece on the wishbone ball is really hard like plastic. Isn't that supposed to be rubber?

[glennpm]

Originally Posted by Sid

T I notice the piece on the wishbone ball is really hard like plastic. Isn't that supposed to be rubber?

Yes they are made of rubber. Tricks for putting on a new one:

- Lube the stall wishbone ball with silicone grease, window cleaner or dishwashing fluid
- Push on the new ball while applying air pressure to the small hole in the back which expand the ball and goes on easily.
- Heating the rubber ball up in water helps and may forgo the need for your air compressor

I've also put them on by turning them inside in a vise, use lube, push on it while turning it right side out. I use window cleaner and my sir compressor nozzle to take off and install motorcycle had grips too.

[19Fordy]

One more thought:
Double nut the perch bolt. That way you can use it for jacking up one wheel ( instead of the frame or axle) without damaging the threads.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

One more thought:
Double nut the perch bolt. That way you can use it for jacking up one wheel ( instead of the frame or axle) without damaging the threads.

[19Fordy]

Thanks Pete.

[Sid]

Does the drag link and tie rod generally end up below the wishbone after a axle drop. Only did equivalent to probably a 3.25 drop. 1 1/8 beyond stock.

[19Fordy]

Sid, With a 4 in. dropped axle and steering arms my tie rod and drag link ended up below the stock 40 wishbone as shown in photo in post #36.

[Sid]

Thanks 19Fordy.. Got it all together yesterday. Had to pull the drag link and put it under the wishbone.