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+--- Thread: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 (/showthread.php?tid=3342)
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - goodwoodweirdo - 25-09-2019
Fantastic many thanks Ian for the details, just what I was looking for ... I'll certainly keep in mind the castor angle...
Now off to find myself a bowed axle, ideal time to do so as she's all in parts...
Thanks for the other comments, the DOR and C suffix we're advised by the clubs DVLA representative... Personally also seen GN**** numbers ... was told she came down from Scotland but could also be so wrong...
cheers
Matt
Been told by a couple of different people, London registration October 1930 .... however no idea where they get their info from ...
cheers
Matt
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - Zetomagneto - 25-09-2019
I have had good service from this co https://www.jones-springs.co.uk/vintage-car-springs
Austin seven springs currently £130 each, for front or rear. They will make them to whatever camber you want, same price.
Recently heard of a member paying £650 for 3 springs, ouch!
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - Terrytuned - 25-09-2019
Matt photo of dropped axle (done by Ian Dunford at the time) and home made drop plates it also has a brake tie rod as hydraulic brake are fitted, there is a wedge on top the spring as the chassis had very little castor built in. The radius arm ball joint is dropped to match the 6 degrees of castor. Terry.
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - Tony Griffiths - 25-09-2019
"....the 750 Companion will give you a very good overview and is still available. However some of the advice is rather barbaric and somewhat dated."
A good summing up! One gets the impression that some of the work was propably carried out at night, in the rain, under a flickering gas lamp. Rather like selling a car in the 1950s/60s; a quick coat of brushed-on Valspar; pop it in the paper to appear on a preferably rainy, dark evening and bobs your uncle, it looked superb...
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - goodwoodweirdo - 25-09-2019
haa haa I have the book and as they say its a collection of published articles... great reference but ... personally think there are so many tried and tested cars out there, just need to pull it all together :-)
Fantastic looking car Terry ... any build tread or info online ?
cheers
Matt
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - Ruairidh Dunford - 26-09-2019
(24-09-2019, 07:17 PM)Steve Jones Wrote: And Ruairidh does a very good job as the one I have here that he did confirms.
Steve
Thank you Steve, here are some examples for those interested:
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - Lance Sheldrick - 26-09-2019
Am I right in thinking that they end up a tad shorter than an original sports axle? Also do the tapered holes for the shock absorber mounting bolts stay round?
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - Ruairidh Dunford - 26-09-2019
We loose about 1/4" in width Lance - mainly as it cools.
The tapered holes are suitable plugged, to ensure they are not deformed.
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - Jamie - 04-03-2025
(25-09-2019, 11:27 AM)Terrytuned Wrote: Matt photo of dropped axle (done by Ian Dunford at the time) and home made drop plates it also has a brake tie rod as hydraulic brake are fitted, there is a wedge on top the spring as the chassis had very little castor built in. The radius arm ball joint is dropped to match the 6 degrees of castor. Terry.
I know that I am resurrecting an ancient post, but is the the axle shown in this photograph a later one with the extra hole for a brace or is this a standard axle that has been modified?
Jamie.
RE: black art of ‘Bow front axles’ - Special GN312 - Ruairidh Dunford - 04-03-2025
It's a later Girling axle, Jamie.