O/T Model A Axle

On the inside of the wheel hubs are four botls that appear to hold the wheel hubs to the axle. They have castle nuts, four on each one. I removed the nuts and I thought the wheel hubs would cone off the axle but it doesnt. I can get a little gap between the hub and the axle but just enough to get a crow bar tip in there and then it dont budge. The bolts are loose and could be pushed into the hub so I know they arent binding.

This is my first time at doing anything like this so could someone tell me what I am doing wrong or what I havent undone?

Take the dustcap off on the outside of the hub and remove the cotter key and then the big nut that holds the bearings. Then slide the hub off the spindle. That'll get you to the brakes and those bolts you loosened.

Gotta say though, they just flat ain't making Modle A Ford axles anymore. I understand you like the wires, and sometimes a guy needs to make do with what's laying around....but I'd bet you could sell that axle and original model A wire rims to a restorer for more than enough to buy a regular trailer axle and whatever kind of rims you want to put on it. Seen just a set of rims go on ebay a few weeks back for about $150. I just pulled apart an old farm wagon with '36 Ford axles under it- gonna be a moneymaker for sure.

Also, those Model A wire rims are liable to be 16 inchers.....that'll take darn narrow tires. Be sure, if you follow your original plan, that you can get tires for your rims.

Whichever way you go- it's yours, good luck!

TW

I slill have one axle with the tie rods still on it. Any of yall that are close is welcome to it if you want to come get it. I tried it out and it steers fine.

The wire wheels...two are good and two are pretty rusted around the valve stem. Ill use the two good ones and keep the other ones unless someone wants them. I think they will take a 4" X 16" tire.

Heres a pic but I think you told me what I needed. I havent messed with the caps but just cleaned em off while I was waiting.

Honest, I had already bought a small trailer but wasnt happy that it didnt fit thru the doors at my store where I keep the tractor. The axle was from an old trailer we used at the farm to haul out plants but had been sitting in the woods for 20 years. I hate to throw things away but the wheels are so rusted I think I can only salvage two out of the four and thats only after patching.

Yes! 16 inch wheels and the tires that were on there were to small and like to have never came off. Good suggestion, will check if the tires are available.

I restored the tractor that was my fathers that he started the business with. This old trailer was used on our farm for as long as I can remember.

I'll still have the axle, I have two, they are yours if ya want em.

Thanks! That's a nice thought but actually shipping 'em up here to NE would probably eat up more money than I could make selling them....they's kinda heavy! It's the wire wheels that are worth more, if they're in good shape.

Just for fun, go to ebay and type in some searches for Ford wire wheels, and Ford axles...oughta give you an idea of what they go for.

Also, if you don't know any "old car guys", next time there's a car show in your area, go look for anyone that has any old Fords('49 and older, earlier the better), tell 'em what you have(don't forget to mention the hydraulic brake backing plates since they're sought after) and I bet one of them could take those axles off your hands for a decent price.

If all else fails, next summer when ya get too hot in TX, throw them in and take a road trip north- I'd be glad to have 'em!

The Ford spoke wheels have a tendency to break spokes. You should rap each spoke with a light hammer and listen to the tone. They should all sound the same.

If your are using a rear axle, you need to understand that the end of the axle shaft is tapered. The hub has to be pulled off the axle. You will see an annular notch where a special puller grabs the hub. Once tension is applied, a swift blow with a 2 pound hammer on the puller screw head will pop them off.

That's no Model A axle.

Allan

Yall might be right.

I have been told several things. Some say they are off a Model A pickup and some say other things. All I know is that the hum cap covers said V8. But two guys said those were just covers that were added and the wheels were off a Model A. Frankly I dont even care, I just like the wheels/rims.

Anyway I got it off now and cleaning it out. It was full of dirt dobber nests.

Thanks to all the others on the info regarding the old Ford wheels sizes....I wasn't sure, just knew that the big pile of early Ford wirespokes I've accumulated were all 16 inchers.

Wardner- those big bolt pattern '38 wheels are what the racecar guys run(they call 'em "wide 5's) and often they'll buy some original narrow wheels to mount tires on so they can load their racecars on narrow trailers. Seen that alot....although I have to admit I've hauled a pair of those wheels to several racing swap meets without selling 'em.

I got them apart pretty easy after I undid the dust cover thing. About a quart of dirt in each one.

Checking on tires tomorrow before I go any further.

Thanks guys. Yall have been a lot of help.

Randy

For instance, my '32 pickup has '46 brakes, '41 rear end, '39 tranny, a shortened torque tube from the middle '30s, rear cross member from some later Ford, steering box from I don't know where, and a '62 (?) Mercedes 220 Diesel. I did all this work 40 years ago with the exception of the Diesel which was done about 30 years ago. Before that it had a '51 Mercury engine followed by a 283 cu in Chevy. It also has three extra leafs in the rear spring. I retained the original wheels and one has to look carefully to find the changes. It appears stock and sounds like something Ford built. It is an altered vehicle but not a hot rod. That was part of the allure of the early Fords. They were easily modified.

I made all these changes to beef up the load carrying capacity of the truck. I built a oak and ash ice cream vending body complete with compressor, cold plates, and soda fountain. It was very heavy. In the winter, I ran it with the pickup body and used it everyday until 1981. It only needs a battery to drive it out of the barn. I don't have pictures but I can take and post some.

Everytime I broke something, I made it stronger.

That being said- I'd MUCH prefer to see one with the actual "working" modifications that you've done rather than a "show queen" with unfunctional chrome crud slapped all over it. Please post pics!!! If you decide to post them over on the "classic trucks" forum, where they probably oughta be, at least post something here to let us know.

From a fellow 650D owner..... .

Don't ya have to take that center nut/hub/thing loose?

Can't remember,

Allan