Thread: Ford spindle differances....

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What is the diff between the Ford front spindles that have the square back, as compared to the ones with the round back plate? Im watching a couple pair on ebay but dont know which is which.......

Here are a couple of diagrams that I got off the Speedway Motors site back in 2004. I printed them off and put them in a binder, can't remember all the this stuff anymore!! Sniper The second picture is a bit large, but to see the detail of the modified arms, I had to go this route. Otherwise the darn thing was so small you couldn't see what it was about.

The round ones will go on the same backing plates as the square ones, there is no difference in the bolt pattern at all. Also, the spindle section where the hub rides on bearings is exactly the same length and dimensions on both. You can interchange them back and forth with zero fit problems, but the kingpins for the squarebacks are slightly longer than the roundback ones. Don't know why Ford changed, but they did. For some reason the roundbacks command a better price than the square ones, not sure of why that is a factor, but it is generally the case.

Don

Thanks for the info guys.....I knew I could count on CHR for an answer!! Now one more question.....I want to use the disc brake adapter that most aftermarket hot rod shops sell......I know they work with the round backing plate, but will they also work with the square one???.....For some reason the round back plate spindles are bringing in some big money on ebay but the square back ones are still reasonable.....I figure there must be a reason for this.......

The kits fit 32-48 spindles, so you can use the squarebacks if you want. The main reason the round ones are more popular is cosmetics and tradition. For reasons that I have long forgotten, rodders somehow liked the way the roundbacked ones looked better. I've sold probably 6 sets of spindles on Ebay over the years, and it just works out that the round ones bring more money. Maybe it's because I put in my ad "Here are the highly sought after roundback spindles hot rodders want!"

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

The kits fit 32-48 spindles, so you can use the squarebacks if you want. The main reason the round ones are more popular is cosmetics and tradition. For reasons that I have long forgotten, rodders somehow liked the way the roundbacked ones looked better. I've sold probably 6 sets of spindles on Ebay over the years, and it just works out that the round ones bring more money. Maybe it's because I put in my ad "Here are the highly sought after roundback spindles hot rodders want!"

Don

Thanks for the input Don.....I was watching a pair of round backs...and they went for $280...!!!!!....The square backs Im watching are only up to $38....Not to say they wont go higher, but 280 Bucks!!!!.....thats just plain crazy in my opinion!!!!......I know the Super Bell spindles are cast and not forged, but they only go for $165 brand new......and if they carry the Super Bell logo they cant be that bad!!!!........JMHO...!! Since I touched on the subject, what is ya'lls opinion on cast versus forged...? I wouldnt think Super Bell products would sell it if it wasnt a safe product.......

Actually the disc brake kits will fit '37-48 spindles. '32-36 have the smaller bolt spacing with smaller 3/8" holes. '36's have the same snout as the later ones, and will accept all '37 up drums, the '32-35 snouts and need a spacer to correctly align the drum on the shoes. You can fill the 1/2" holes in the later backing plates, and redrill them with the smaller pattern with 3/8" holes.

So, drum brakes, '28-48 spindles will all work, with the '28 to '34 spindles presenting a few steering arm issues(no cross steering), etc. If you want the current crop of available disc brake kits to fit '37-up.

Round Backs bring more purely on aesthetics. Square backs work better with the '48-56 F1/F100 brakes, they clear the wheel cylinders, you have to do some grinding on the '37-41 round backs. The $280 number is incredible - but they aren't making this stuff any more, and the traditional hot rodding scene is growing very fast. The number of guys in their 30's building 100% Ford cars with no aftermarket or repro parts is incredible.

I would prefer forged over investment cast for my car. SB & Magnum have sold a ton of cast spindles over the years, so you are right, they can't be that bad. For new spindles I actually prefer forged ones from Chassis Engineering. I think their spindles and I-beam axles are the best repros.

Thanks for all the input guys!....Im gonna go for the 37-48 (round backs). I may have found a pair for a reasonable price. They are original forged type.

Im also going to check out Chassis Engineering to see what they've got. (thanks SirSpeedy!)

Well, I got me a pair of rusty ol round back spindles on the bay for 99 bucks....they look salvagable though......but then I found these at speed way motors after the fact.....http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/3303...-Spindles.html ....coulda got a brand new set of forged spindles for 50 bucks more!! ....but I still would have had to get the steering arms an all so I guess its still a good deal.........