Hey folks! In the process of installing my CE drop front end kit in my 1947 coupe and after fighting with the perch bolts forever I finally got them out. Only to find that I cant slip the axle out between the spring perch pins. Is this normal? Is there a way to get the axle out without damaging the spring perch pins/bushings?
Huh? You got the perch pins out, but now you can't slip the axle between the pins? I don't get it. Are the pins removed? Tap the axle forward out of the wishbone.
The axle is free, but it will not fit between the lower wishbone mount, and the pin for the spring shackle. Stand by I will grab a picture.
Out comes the shackle pin...... Most guys using a tube axle would probably replace the shackles with some urethane-bushed kind anyways.
Once you remove the shackle bolts and bushings and clean the crud off the axle/'bone mating surfaces you should be good to go.
Where abouts would a guy source these bushings? When i was playing with it. It really didnt look like if i had the pins out the tube axle would fit. But I will give that a shot this weekend.
You bought a drop front end kit, you said. Didn't it come with some new shackles? Many hot rod parts suppliers sell shackle kits, and the most common ones come with urethane bushings. C.E., Pete & Jakes, SoCal, Posies, and many others sell these shackles.
Pete&Jakes have good quality parts. Don't order your spring shackles from Speedway. They're junk. Ask me how I know! https://www.peteandjakes.com/parts/part-1052-l-spring-shackles-2-1-4x1-1-8-42-48-long-pair/
There will be a tin sleeve that needs to be removed along with that pin and rubber before you can put new shackle bushing in
Thanks guys! The kit did come with shackles (D'oh). And the bushings/sleeves came right out with 2 sockets and a C-clamp.. But now I have another headache. So it appears the axle they sent me is too narrow for my car as it sits. I dont know id maybe this axle will work if I split the wish bones? As the king pin center is 48 (2" narrowed) but the perch center is 36-3/8"(+6" narrower" But that would throw everything else off, shock mount placement ect. I think I am just going to sell it and buy another axle. Does anyone have any experiance with the axles from weedetr?
Call any vendor and make sure they know exactly what you are trying to fit before you buy. Rule number one.
Yea usually do. The issue being i bought the kit when chassis engineering was closing out. So I think I was genuinely sent the wrong axle for my application.
Weedetr has horrible pics on their website, but I doubt they make any axles themselves. They didn't list any perch widths. Try SoCal as they have forged I beam axles. If they don't have the correct width at the perches, Super Bell can make what ever width tube axle you need. Having the axle a couple inches narrower at the spindles is actually a good thing. It gives your tires more turning room under the lower fenders.
Where can i order a custom super bell axle? I cant find a website for a phone # for them. I know magum does a custom tube axle in thier 4 and 5" drop axles.
I think Magnum is the only one that makes a stock perch width drop (it is cast) axle for '42-'48. If you use a narrower perch width axle; other stuff like the spring width, wishbone length, etc come into play. There are advantages with a narrower axle that may make the extra stuff worthwhile depending on what else is going on.
Super Bell is here: https://www.peteandjakes.com/ Give them a call on the phone and tell them what you need.
OR you can go with a Ford stock axle that has been lowered. If you want stock width you can get it stretched. http://www.joesspeedshop.com/joesproducts.htm Or for later axles: https://droppedaxles.com/
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