So school me on dropped axles.

I didn't want to highjack NealinCA's post on dropped axles and asthetics even a little bit so I'm asking here.

In the days before aftermarket axles did they really bend stock axles to get the drop, or did they just make news ones that way?

Doesn't the heating and bending weaken the metal?

Was this done with some sort of hydraulic press deal or by hand?

I know these are probably stupid questions, but I never really thought about this before, and I'm curious.

 

they did, and still do drop the stockers

 

This may help explain a little

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198214

 

And with a bottle jack instead of a press.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...6066&showall=1

 

1947 catalog.

 

Fascinating stuff. Thanks for the replies and the links. I've now been educated.

 

$19 for a dropped and filled axle? Too bad those prices still didn't hold true today.