how do I drop a 1940 ford axle myself?

F&J
I wouldn't have any problem suggesting that you drop your own axle, I also would not have any trouble dropping my own, it is just hard for me to suggest some things when I do not know what someone is capable of doing.

This is no reflection on the OP but we have too many on here any more that don't have sense enough to poor piss out of a boot. I don't mind suggesting to one of those yahoos that they try and change their own cam shaft but I would hate to think that one of those people was out there dropping axles.

 

I've spent years fighting the same "Don't Do it - everyone will DIE" mentality at another popular board...looks like I'm needed here!

x100!

Instructions - heat until red and soft, bend, let cool.

What for? None ever where and none need to be. If there's a crack, it likely aint from heating and you'd see it.

How do YOU know who can piss straight and who can't? You been to everyone's place to watch them?

Kidding of course, bit I just can't help it. If a man has the gumption to ask how to do something and then sets about to get er done, then he likely also has the balls to get 'er done - plain and simple.

These forums where started by guys who did it themselves and then told others how to do it too - not how to sit on the sidelines. Of course being "real men' many were also socially challenged (ie rude and condescending). It's nice to see that things have calmed down in that department (Thanks Ryan!), but jeeze, we don't need to cut off everyone's nuts and become resident safety monitors too?! I think not.

 

You can't see microscopic or tiny cracks. Any forged steel that has been heated and cooled after the original forging process is susceptible to cracks, if cooled at an improper rate. Basic metallurgy, not rocket surgery. Skip the Magnaflux step, and you, or an innocent bystander, could end up with a unpleasant surprise. It is pretty cheap, and easy to do. Why skip the safety check? How many customers or friends can YOU afford to kill?

I personally check every axle, spindle, pitman arm, etc. that has been modified, regardless of the source, and irrespective of any guarantee that it has already been done, or not.

 

Well said.........

Ray

 

I totally appreciate that you personally do it - because you "want" to. I also understand that in the litigious country you live in, you may feel you "need" to....but....

To my (or Googles!) knowledge - after 35 years of being in this game - I have never heard of anyone being killed by a dropped axle coming apart. Guys have been dropping them - right and wrong - for 60 years - without a single recorded mishap. There's a huge difference between what MIGHT happen and what actually DOES.

But the point of my post was that we shouldn't be telling others NOT to do something - especially if they've asked how! It's not in the spirit of this board and not in the spirit of hot rodders and customizers.

/end rant.

 

Since I cannot lay claim to a successful longevity in the industry as you, as I am not yet old enough, I have had to rely on the wisdom of my elders. I had occasion, prior to his passing, to work with a gentleman who had been dropping axles since just after WWII, until just a few months before his passing. He was kind enough to impart some his knowledge to me via working with him in his shop, and coming to mine to assist me on projects that I had underway. He had, in his shop, a collection of roughly eighteen axles. Among these were a few rejects from his own process. The remainder were ones from others, that he had collected, that had indeed failed. There were over ten forged steel Ford axles, broken. He told tale of a few that were involved in fatality accidents. While he was not specific if the axle was the cause, it was enough for me. It was at his urging that I Magnaflux everything. It was he who taught me to use my rig. It is a simple step, and one, litigation aside, that could prevent harm to another human being.

I can live with being sued, if I have done something to deserve it. Harm, I cannot abide by. Do as you wish, and I will as well. I urge anyone embarking on this endeavor to follow his or her conscience.

Rest in Peace, Marty Costello. Mor Drop is no more, but your memory will be with me, always.

 

Hey Twin Terror,
Titus created a Drop Jig he uses all the time, I have also built my own Jig based off of his redesign. Very Simple, easy to build, works all the time and anyone can do this. Its not hard. So I would say to anyone here saying to send it out DONT... This is the entire reason you asked and we all do our own work so we can learn and pass it forward. The Name of the Thread is Suspension: Drop Axle Jig 2ND Generation pics it will take you through it. Like I said I have done this... a total of at least a dozen axles at this point and they all have been show quality perfect. Do it yourself and have fun.
You can also PM TITUS.
here is the link; http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198214

 

let a pro do it for you, it's worth it

 

Let go of it and watch your toes, har-har.

 

Also, man... no one wants to hear all this nonsense about metallurgy, safety, accidents, axles coming apart, bla bla bla.... this is not what the man is asking for. Answer the questions specifically and let them worry about what they feel is safe or not and or if they can handle the job. There is nothing more irratating then asking a simple question then having to get lectured on the metalurgy of a LANGSTROM GANGLEY WRENCH WITH A ONE HALF TWIST and if it can be used on SMITH SPRICKET without exploding rat feces. Maybe we should just tell everyone to buy third party aftermarket and be afraid of using our tools cause were AFWAID OV DA DARK!..... Since cars have been made all of us have been heating and bending springs, axles, and frames..... If everyone is saying send it out then we should just close this entire HAM Blog Site since everyone is scared to crimp a piece of wire....? So get a grip, be pointed with answers that our fellow Hammers want.
Like I said here is the thread for the Jig PM TITUS if needed; The Name of the Thread is Suspension: Drop Axle Jig 2ND Generation pics it will take you through it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198214

 

I was curious if someone would post this before I found the thread
and, indeed they did. I concur, everything you need to know is there.

 

I've been thinking about this since December. Just about the only way I ever learned anything about cars was I did it for myself. The first time I did anything, from changing over to a four barrel carb, installing my first cam to body work, to building my own race cars,- I read everything I could get my hands on and then jumped in and did it.
If you have some resources, skills, and the desire, I say go for it. If it doesn't turn out, throw it on the scrap pile and move on.
I've rebuilt or modified just about every part on a car except for an automatic transmission and a front axle(dropped spindles don't count). I still had Sid do the axle on my wife's 37 GMC for previously stated reasons, however, don't let my concerns be yours. It is you car, build it the way you want it !

 

Twin!! i built a jig with help from the above mention thread. went to a friend with a welding shop business. we used 2 rose buds and his big press. i was thrilled with the results and he said THAT WAS FUN!! my dad always said you cant do that! i always told him YOU CAN'T....I CAN!!