ford spindles

[chiliman]

what is the difference between mid 30's and the later 40's spindles on the cars thanks

[Flatout]

About 10 to 15 years.

[Fordors]

'35 has a longer axle stub than '36, and the '36 stub is same length as '37-'48. Hydraulic brake backing plates are not a direct bolt on to the '35-'36 spindle, but can be adapted.
'37-'41 are the so-called round back style and use a 5 1/2" long king pin, while the '42-'48 spindles are known as square back and there is a raised projection on the top of the upper axle yoke making the correct (six inch long) king pin necessary. Hydraulics came along in '39, but the backing plates are a direct bolt on for the '37 and up spindles. All '35-'48 will have two tapered holes on the right steering arm (LHD, naturally) one for the drag link and the other for the tie rod.
Zephyr spindles may look similar but the king pin inclination is less than the Ford spindle and your camber would be off on a Ford axle.

[chiliman]

thanks for the information fourdors I have a pair will just have to check out what I have plan to put them on my 30 rodster pickup with 56 backing plates

[Ol' Ron]

The Ackerman angle to the tierod ends are made for the differen wheel bases. The 42-48 are longer.

[chiliman]

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AHHH I found them looks like they take the six inch king pin next get the 56 ford backing plates its like Christmas when I go through stuff up stairs

[JM 35 Sedan]

Good explaination on spindles Fordor. It would be awesome if we had labeled pictures of these different spindles posted along with this information.

[Fordors]

I might give that a try. I have loose '42- '48's, and a set of '32's on an axle (very similar to '35-'36) and a set of '37-'41 style with brake assemblies still mounted. If I can get time to separate this stuff I will get photos and post.

[FlatheadTed]

Here's 1940 spindle and axle on a 34

[FlatheadTed]

Heres a 34 with 40 hubs ,Its been welded to change it to a round flange with lager 4 mounting holes .and a 3/8 ? spacer

[FlatheadTed]

here's a 35 wheel and 36 spindle. 34 is 5,3/4 long, 35 is 5/3/4, 36 is 51/2, 40 is 51/2 ,and the 40 hub is 4" bearing to bearing OD ,

[Mart]

Originally Posted by FlatheadTed

Here's 1940 spindle and axle on a 34

With respect, Ted, these are the later squareback spindles and later brakes, and the axle looks like the stock 34.

Mart.

[FlatheadTed]

Mart you are right, just the spindles are later, going by four doors post 42? ,I was told it was 1940 , This car came with no bearing on the King pin ,When fitting new pins I had to exchange the short pins for longer ones ,the only place for the bearing is on top I had to machine of the top yoke about 30 ".

[Fordors]

Ted, I think you are referring to your second set of photos and Mart is talking about the first set. On the first three photos I see '42-'48 spindles and someone has added a hot rod style steering arm so that a side steer drag link can be used.
In the second set those spindles are '32-'34, but someone has cut off the integrally forged steering arm. Look at the upper yoke to the left of the raised boss for the grease Zerk (not sure, but I think the Zerk is missing from the hole) it looks like something was removed. The reason you had no room for the thrust bearing is because the distance between the yokes is narrower on the early spindles. Those particular mechanical brake king pins had the cup on top for the linkage and it was part of the k/p forging. The thrust washer goes under the cup on the k/p. If you are using conventional '42-'48 pins just to be able to fit the thrust washer be advised that the top of that k/p is basically a washer and will not positively retain the thrust bearing.
Now, in the first picture of that second post I see a '32-'34 Ford steering arm. Is it the one I think was removed from what I believe was a LHD spindle in the second photo? If it's a true RHD spindle it will be correct, but if it was welded on to make a RHD car then for proper geometry the ball on it should not be on the center-line of the axle. The ball should be approximately (I don't recall just how much) 1/2" ahead of the c/l of the axle. When the steering is straight ahead and the steering arm is as I described it will form a 90* angle with the drag link. The purpose for that is so the car has the same turning radius both right and left.
The '32-'34 spindles pictured have had some "wings" added. I suppose they were welded on to more easily adapt the hydraulics. The later '37 and up spindles used a greater diameter bolt circle for the backing plate bolts, and larger diameter bolts as well.

[FlatheadTed]

Thanks for the explanation The square back spindles according to the previse thread I think started in 42 ? The axle that's obvious there is a stock 34,I am not sure of the hubs and drums ,non adjustable Anchor cams .Maybe late .Nothings cut of the king pin one its just a right hand drive ,I take your point about the washer I was intending to run some weld around it .

[sanborn]

Ron, thanks for mentioning "Ackerman". Too many people don't know what it is and how to measure it. And, it can have a major effect on how a car handles in turns.

[Jefscoupe]

Yep. I saw a homemade gokart once that had the steering arms straight out the front, parallel with each other. He wondered why the steering would lock up on a hard turn.
I tried to explain it to him but I don't think it "took".