Done, the spring is out. I had to tweak my spring tensioner a little so that I could turn the nuts, the shackles are badly worn, that will also be replaced. Greetings Harald
The 32 axle still needs to be disassembled and I've started to pull the rim off, I think the rim is lost, LOL Someone tried to open the wheel nut with a torch, I milled it off and got it off, the brake drum is absolutely solid, I hope that I can save the spindles and perches, the drums may be lost, so I'll probably build the 31 brake, I probably won't find a 32 brake in Germany. Greetings Harald
What a struggle, but the brake drums are now free of their rusted-in shackles. The good thing is that I was able to save the spindles. Unfortunately, the drums cannot be saved; they are too rusted to be machining the Surface. The spring perches are not looking good either. The thread on one of them has already gone and I need a replacement. The two front brake actuating units are in good condition. I have all the important parts to install a 32 axle in the Model A and keep the rod brake. Greetings Harald
Welcome and great looking car! If you stay with the A brakes get the cast iron drums, will stop you much better than the old steel ones. Mike
The 32' axle has been disassembled, the spindles are good for further use, I pressed the perches out, with heat and a 20t press, it made a good bang, unfortunately the threads have rusted away, but otherwise it is amazing that every screw could be turned and left its place, I think the axle has been lying outside for a very long time and there is still so much usable, great. Greetings Harald
That's a good idea and worth a try. I'll have to find someone who has the skills to do it, thanks for the tip. Regards Harald
Now the frame is stripped and the 31 front axle and brake removed, while the backplate and everything around it is in a clean condition, the drums look like a vinyl record, let's see if they can still be turned out. Putting new cast drums on the old hub means a lot of work, milling off the crushed old bolts and pressing them out and and and.... Just read that the steel drums must not be turned out, if that is true, they will probably be new drums. Greetings Harald
Thanks, I have the perches in my shopping cart at Summit, I'm still waiting for inquiries to used parts dealers to see if they'll get back to me and tell me that the parts are available. Regards Harald
The wishbone is off the Model A axle, the spring perches were really resisting, I had to drill it out to get it off. 32' perches have been ordered from Summit, I will probably order the brake drums with hub, they are ready to screw on. I can't find a workshop that will caulk the wheel bolts for me, or they charge too much. Or they don't have a 50t press. I was already running around for the Mustang drums back then until an old truck workshop was able to turn them out for me. Greetings Harald
It's true. There have been a few European builds, i'm always impressed with the effort. A few years ago, i did some work on a post-war bike. It was a BSA C11, very few made it to the US. Just miserable finding parts. It's how i imagine finding model A parts in Germany to be.
Ive done this it's pretty sketchy as you have to chuck the perch in the 4 jaw chuck and you the center on the tailstock. It worked well for fixing bad threads from beating them out of the axle.
Thank you for your support. Parts for Model A are almost twice as expensive here and second hand ones are worth their weight in gold. I'm having it sent to my home in a container via a shipper, shipping is very expensive, so this is about half the price, it just takes a long time, the next container won't be with me until the beginning of February, I have to be patient and can't forget anything. And..... did I mention problems with pressing the wheel bolts, ha..., I asked at the truck workshop in question and they actually still have the brake drum lathe and even better, they have a 50t press and they will help me. I'm happy. Regards Harald
I have now cleaned everything and painted the frame and axle parts black. All the parts have been ordered, now I have to wait until February for them. Maybe I can get the motor back from the repair shop before Christmas, that would be great. We had my friend's 4 banger converted to bearing inserts there and have now completed and installed it. Greetings Harald
Now I opened the steering gear to reseal it. There was no grease left in it and the bushing with the bearing ring was torn. The sector shaft was quite loose and new bushings were pressed in. The bearings and steering are in good condition, no holes or breakages. The Adjustment was also carried out successfully. The steering is ready to be installed. I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. Greetings Harald
Hi Harald, and welcome to the H.A.M.B. If I’m reading this right, you’re planning on running the Modal A wish bone with the 32 axle. The 32 axle is 2 inches at the perch whereas the A is 2 1/4, that means you have to install a 1/4 inch spacer. Also the 32 perch bolts will be to short, you’ll have to run the A perches. Try a fit and let us know if this is a problem for you. Great car by the way.
I like reading the European build threads. They are doing it the way we did in the 60s. We spent hours saving/fixing old parts - usually because we got it free and a usable one was $5. Today most here just toss it and buy a new or rebuilt part. Since there is a lack of parts in Europe they need to use the old methods and take extraordinary measures to save them.
Happy new year to you all. @Richard, as I understand it, the 32 spring perches are essential to get the actuator arms to the right height with a 32 axle, all the conversions that I know of used the 32 spring perches for this type of conversion. What causes problems are the 32 actuator arms, from there the rods run to the middle of the car on the 32 and the levers hang down, on the Model A they run along the frame and the levers point upwards. I will probably have to adjust the 31, that should work. Yes, a spacer has to be used. The thread is just about enough to attach the spring perches to the 31 wishbone. Greetings Harald
Thanks for the pictures, you put the spacer at the bottom so that your shackle still has enough space. I've seen some people who put the spacer at the top to give the shackle more room, good pictures, very helpful. Greetings Harald
Greetings Harald and welcome to the Hamb. I really like what you have done with your "A" so far. Here's a photo of the "old school banger" that I did a few years ago...
Thank you for your kind words, it stands well on its wheels, very nice, a fine 4 banger, I like it a lot. Greetings Harald
Really like your build. It seems like you have the smarts and the connections to handle everything. However, this might help. He also owns a Model A in Germany. He might be able to suggest a local place or maybe share in parts purchase and transport. www.youtube.com/@AstraWerke/videos
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