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Projects Lowering a front axle

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by JReece, Dec 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM.

  1. JReece
    Joined: Oct 6, 2011
    Posts: 466

    JReece
    Member

    How bad of an idea is it to move the spring to the top of the mount with a block?

    I realize the weight of the car would be hanging by the bolts, but how bad is that on a t-bucket?

    IMG_1514.jpeg IMG_1515.jpeg IMG_1516.jpeg
     
  2. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,406

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    “If” that were the only option. I’d reconfigure the spring mount so the spring is still on the underside.
     
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  3. redo32
    Joined: Jul 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,312

    redo32
    Member

    De arch the spring. Search on the HAMB how to flatten the spring by pressing or hammer it. That will lengthen the spring and let it sit lower in the shackles. You're going to run out of travel on the shocks. I doubt they make shorter ones so you will have to make new mounts.
     
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  4. woodiewagon46
    Joined: Mar 14, 2013
    Posts: 2,531

    woodiewagon46
    Member
    from New York

    What ever you decide to do, I would suggest longer bolts with Ny-Loc's or bolts with cotter pin's to mount your spring.
     
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  5. chickenridgerods
    Joined: Jul 22, 2003
    Posts: 1,550

    chickenridgerods
    Member
    from DSM, IA

    I'd just drop the axle.
     
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  6. X2 on a drop axle
    IMG_0183.jpeg
    Flattening out the spring/spring change could help the shackle angle though
     
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  7. mr.chevrolet
    Joined: Jul 19, 2006
    Posts: 9,327

    mr.chevrolet
    Member

    why not just raise the mount a couple inches?
     
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  8. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,794

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'm leery of that style front suspension, the name scares me, sucide front suspension.

    If you are going to use that set up make sure you use grade 8 bolts. HRP
     
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  9. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,699

    twenty8
    Member

    How much lower do you want to go?
     
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  10. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,406

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

  11. lake_harley
    Joined: Jun 4, 2017
    Posts: 2,443

    lake_harley
    Member

    I built my T Roadster with the spring on top of the perch. Worked just fine. Grade 8 bolts for sure with nylock nuts.

    I did it to achieve what I thought was a cleaner look than a big tall perch to get the frame height to match my vision for the car.

    Lynn
     
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  12. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,020

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'd start with taking about half the arch out of the spring. Then if it still isn't low enough have the axle dropped or buy a dropped axle.

    Another thing would be get rid of those truck tires on the front and get some proper lower profile and narrower T bucket front tires.
     
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  13. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,699

    twenty8
    Member

    Got pics...???
     
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  14. JReece
    Joined: Oct 6, 2011
    Posts: 466

    JReece
    Member

    Yea, I will have to raise the shock mounts no matter what I do.

    I didn’t do it that way, but I completely agree with you.

    I actually have a Model A drop axle put up, but it’s only about a 2” drop.
     
  15. JReece
    Joined: Oct 6, 2011
    Posts: 466

    JReece
    Member

    I have considered that.

    About 4” if I can.

    That’s exactly what I was hoping for, real world experience. I would love to see pics also.
     
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  16. JReece
    Joined: Oct 6, 2011
    Posts: 466

    JReece
    Member

    I got you. These wheels are actually 14’s and they’re are actually fairly short in real life. I’m looking at putting some 15x4’s on the front and I’m afraid it it’s actually going to raise the front in more, unless I use some 125 or 135 tires with them.
     
  17. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 16,036

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Built in 1950 spring on top of perch.

    tub29.jpg
     
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  18. RICH B
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 5,978

    RICH B
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Moving the spring on top of the mount with a spacer will make for a big change in caster which may need further mods to correct. Looks like the tie rod would be too high also.

    Dropped axle is the way to go; but a "normal" Model A drop axle is usually about 3" to 3-1/2" over stock. Maybe look for a different axle if the one you have is only dropped 2".

    I'd ditch that spring (which looks kinda on the short side anyway, probably made for an aftermarket axle with narrowed perch centers) and get a Posies 1001L spring which has a 4-1/2" arch and is made for stock width perch centers.

    May end up with a little caster change; but likely will be OK.

    Spindles don't show in you picture; but usually have to bend the arms to clear the drop in the axle and get the tie rod down.

    Should easy get the inches down you want.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2025 at 9:25 PM
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  19. lake_harley
    Joined: Jun 4, 2017
    Posts: 2,443

    lake_harley
    Member

    Sorry, but no. I sold the car and don't have any photos. FWIW.... It looked about the same as Royalshifter's photo above, but minus the chrome plating.

    Lynn
     
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  20. That’s 2 more
    That and a reworked spring will get it down
     
  21. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 8,944

    RodStRace
    Member

    Sorry if I put the thought in your head.
    Great pictures, but I can't quite see exactly how far is the distance between the tie rod and the frame.
    As mentioned you can heat and bend the steering arms so this is lower, but you need to be aware that at full compression you do not want the tie rod jammed against things.

    @RICH B mentions the spring being short.
    @Mr48chev and @redo32 mention dearching the spring.
    This is due to the angle of the shackles being 'flatter' than the suggested 45 degree angle at rest. Also this will flatten out the spring, lowering the front like you asked.

    I will also mention that if you are going in there, you might want to add some strength to that spring mount if you aren't changing it. It looks like it's only welded to the top of the square.
    Most front cross members for these are round and have more than a single plane shear. The square ones usually have 2 sides welded. This link shows both round and square.
    https://eztbucket.com/shop/ols/categories/front-suspension
    I mention this now so if you ponder your choices and end up having to do some frame work anyway, it might change those choices.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2025 at 7:57 PM
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  22. RICH B
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 5,978

    RICH B
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Here is a comparison of what I would call a "normal" drop to a stock Model A axle.

    axle 3 (Medium).jpg
     
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  23. JReece
    Joined: Oct 6, 2011
    Posts: 466

    JReece
    Member

    Just to be clear, if the spring is moved above the perch, the perch could possibly smack the axle, but the tie rod shouldn’t hit anything. It could technically just be moved to the front anyways.

    I was told my drop axle is a Anson. It’s stamped AA, but it doesn’t look like it’s a deep drop to me.

    I also don’t see how the castor could change if it just moving up vertically at the same angle.
     
  24. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,406

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Because the pivot point of the wishbone (split or not) is not being risen. Not doing so will cause bones to angle upward at the front. This increases caster. But we’re not talking about a significant number in this case.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2025 at 9:58 PM
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  25. JReece
    Joined: Oct 6, 2011
    Posts: 466

    JReece
    Member

    Ok, I can visualize that now, thank you.
     
  26. RICH B
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 5,978

    RICH B
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Haven't done the math; but I wonder about that; if you add an extra cap (maybe about 3/16") above the ball on an unsplit wishbone like we have done in the past and it adds a little over a degree of caster; wouldn't, in this case, moving the spring above the mount with added spacer probably at least 2" total make more than just a few degrees of caster change?
     
  27. ALLDONE
    Joined: May 16, 2023
    Posts: 3,836

    ALLDONE
    Member

    I've always thought the suicide front was the tie rod in front of the axel??? learned something new ..
     
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  28. ALLDONE
    Joined: May 16, 2023
    Posts: 3,836

    ALLDONE
    Member

    and as far a the perch top or bottm of the mount is the same... look at how many cars have the rear on top and below the axel
     
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  29. JReece
    Joined: Oct 6, 2011
    Posts: 466

    JReece
    Member

    That’s the only thing I’ve ever thought it was, but I would believe HRP more than most.
     
  30. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,406

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    I did say “significant” as in, relatively large in amount.
     
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