Rear axle housings question

[RGould1910]

Re the bolts that hold the two axle housings together, are the nuts on the driver or passenger side when they came from the factory. Always wondered about that.

[Original Smith]

That is getting pretty technical Richard! Open up the Ford Service book and look at the pictures. I'm sure you will find something!

[jab35]

Richard: Fig 322, Para 567 of the model T service handbook appears to show differential clamshell bolts with nuts on driver side (ring gear side) of rear axle. jb

[speedytinc]

Richard: Fig 322, Para 567 of the model T service handbook appears to show differential clamshell bolts with nuts on driver side (ring gear side) of rear axle. jb

FWIW, & it aint much. I have parted out quite a few late rear ends. (20's era) The majority of original hardware, grease caked, seemingly virgin rear ends have the nuts on the right, passenger side.

[R.V.Anderson]

I'd say that they could go either way, before the assembly line came into being and the power tools used for tightening fasteners were in fixed locations. No doubt some of Ford's workers were left-handed, so, early on, they did it however it was more comfortable for them.

[RGould1910]

Some say drivers sise, some say passenger, some say either way. That solves it! LOL

[TXGOAT2]

Nuts on driver's side north of the equator. Nuts on passenger side south of the equator.

[TRDxB2]

do pictures help?

[Dan Hatch]

How about swap every other one? That will really have the forum talking a 100 years from now!

[Mark Nunn]

This photo was taken in 1913 of a tornado-damaged '09 or '10.

[John kuehn]

I’m thinking tha since Ford wanted things done in a uniform way the assembly workers put the nuts on one side and got use to it. But then again all Model T’s were black ——— weren’t they? Hmmmmmmmm

[Norman Kling]

If in doubt follow what Dan Hatch said. At least some of them will be right!
Norm

[speedytinc]

I'd say that they could go either way, before the assembly line came into being and the power tools used for tightening fasteners were in fixed locations. No doubt some of Ford's workers were left-handed, so, early on, they did it however it was more comfortable for them.

I buy this answer for pre assembly line T,s.
I note the lock washer usage in the pix. Does that put that question to bed also?

[jiminbartow]

It might depend on whether the worker on the rear end assembly line was right handed or left handed. I know that, as a right hander, I prefer to install the nuts on the right hand side. If the same goes for left handers, it seems that, for them, installing the nut on the left hand side would be easier. Since the majority of people are right handed, it stands to reason that on most Model T’s, the pumpkin nuts would be on the right. Jim Patrick

[John Codman]

It might depend on whether the worker on the rear end assembly line was right handed or left handed. I know that, as a right hander, I prefer to install the nuts on the right hand side. If the same goes for left handers, it seems that, for them, installing the nut on the left hand side would be easier. Since the majority of people are right handed, it stands to reason that on most Model T’s, the pumpkin nuts would be on the right. Jim Patrick

I'm a righty too, but I would place the nuts on the left side. I don't really know why, though. Now that I've seen the pix, I would do it the way shown.

[Allan]

Richard, which is the driver's side? It can be either left or right. If you need to get that technical, you need to refer to left and right side, rather than drivers and passenger sides.
Allan from down under, where we drive on the left side of the road