Dropped axles

Can someone tell me if you need to drop the spindles the same distance as a dropped axle. I've also seen where the tie rod was flipped and the spindles re-reamed any imput? pics?

 

i think you mean heating and bending the steering arms? how much depends on your hairpins/wishbones/4-bar . yes , you can flip the tie rod and re-taper the steering arms.

 

On a mild dropped 33-36 that I did, there was no need to drop the arms, with split 35 bones & 37-up spindles...so, yes, it all depends on how much of a drop and what bones, etc.

Just do a normal mock up to see what hits where, and how much of a bend you need.

 

Putting the tie-rod on top is easy. The reamer is about $70, just ream halfway through, go slow, so you don't go too far. Test fit frequently as you ream.

 

Thanks for the replys, If I put the tie-rod on top do I still need to drop the spindles, and what about the spindle stops I've seen?

 

It's easy to tell if the tie rod will clear above the wishbone, the question is will the steering arm hit the axle and limit the amount that you can turn the wheel.

 

Also depends what car it is going into. On a '34 Ford the stock tie rod crosses above the wishbone, and bolts to the top of the stock steering arms, but there is not much clearance under the front pulley.

With the right amount of axle drop, the steering arms can be tapered from below and the tie rod mounted from underneath, but still on top of the wishbone, and will still clear the front pulley. The potential problem with this is, as Dreddybear said, that the stock steering arms may foul on the underside of the dropped axle, so you may still have to perform some adjustment.

 

Sorry guys, I didn't mention the project it is. I am doing a 32 ford coupe, new rails, original front and k-member 40 rear cross member, and un-split wishbone. 32 4" drop I-beam axle, 40 ford spindles and backing plates. any help from the masters would be great!