MTFCA Forum

Can someone post a clear photo of an "improved car" front axle? In the parts section a poster commented that all of the '26 and '27 Model Ts had a dip in the center of the axle. I have no reason to believe that the axle in my '27 has ever been swapped, but it doesn't appear to have a dip in it. I'm wondering if I'm not seeing something that others do.

I just walked out and looked at my 26 Roadster and I don’t see any discernible dip. I can never get pictures to work on this site so I can’t post one but mine is straight across.

My '26 has a very slight sway to the upper surface. Would that make it from an older car or is there a 1/2" overall dip? I need to measure it. This is from the encyclopedia.

In Sept. 1920 Ford introduced a new design axle forging which was straight between the two spring perch bosses. The older design is curved between the two bosses. The older curved design was designated T-202-B1 and was made by Herbrand. Transue & Williams and Ford made the straight design which was designated T-202-B2. (The curved design referred to here is not the same as the late 1926 and 1927 where the middle of the top of the axle is about 1/2” lower, and presents a definite distinguishable curve between the perches, than on older designs.)

My car:

The 1927 model year front axle has the swoop, eng. change August 1926.



Comments in Bruce's C-D Encyl.:

8-2-26 “Specified I section at center to be lowered .5” and upper part of I section to have a 1” true sweep instead of being straight in center.” (This refers to the 1927 front axle. It is easily distinguished by the “droop” in the axle between the spring perches. Number 15,000,000 has this axle.)

I have several axles with 26-27 spindles and none of them had the dip.

I had a 27 roadster, which DID have the dip in the axle.

Why a "DIP"?

My axle definitely does not look like the '27 in the photo.

When they lowered the spindle did they not also flatten the spring?

If so the curve could be extra clearance when the axle moves up & down.

Yes.

The Improved Car (26-27) has lower ached front spring, came along with the lowered spindles.

p/n 3800B 8 leaf front. '26-'27, and all the individual leaves are different from the '25 and earlier front spring.

Here photos of a fresh restored 1926 front axle.

Andre
Belgium

Andre,

Your axle appears to be the English Ford produced axle that they introduced with the Drop Ford cars in Jan 1924 (ref page 230 of the English Ford Book vol 1). Below is an illustration from one of the English Ford Price List of Parts showing the earlier style regular front axle and the DF or Drop Frame front axle that they produced in England.

Andre.... continued:

For a 1926-27 car assembled in Denmark, England etc. -- they used the DR front axle and DF wishbone but the standard style USA type front spindles. Ref: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/375948.html Also ref page 180 of the English Ford Book vol 1.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off