early ford spindles

I am fabricating a straight axle for my rod that I am building and I have pre 1937 ford spindles. My axle bosses are 2 1/4". I am aware of the fact that 1937-48 spindles are used in this application for different reasons. What I have been noticing is that there is a thrust bearing between the axle boss and the spindle boss. With the spindles that I have there is only enough clearance between the two bosses for a shim. The spindles that I got came with king pins and thrust bearings. Did the thrust bearing go on top of the spindle in the early model A front end, or was the axle boss for these early spindles less than 2 1/4''. Any insight would be great.

thanks

nick

The earlier axles had a 2" spindle boss, and you MUST put the bearing on the bottom of the spindle boss.

thanks uncle bob . . . I looked at your gallery and wow quite the automotive history. Nobody could accuse you of being a trailer king.

You always have to wonder why some hot rodder is willing to sell you his spindles. Well, it was only a $50 education, not bad.

The model A and 32-34 spindles had the thrust bearings mounted above the spindle. The king pin was longer and had a cup on top which formed a flat for the bearing to push against. The king pin was held in place with the lock pin. The lock pin supported the weight of the car!

There is nothing wrong with running the early spindles. I have them on my 32 with '40 brakes. Been that way for 40 years. I think the wheels sit straighter than they do when using the later spindles, I actually prefer the 32 spindles.