Does anyone know what a set of RAJO spindles is worth? These are ones that are offset to aid in turning at speed.
They are a neat, and historic, accessory that many people would love to have. They are somewhat rare, I have only seen a few in my forty-plus years in the hobby.
That all said. I have also heard of several of them breaking due to an inferior grade material and would not consider using a set on a car that was to be driven. You cannot beat Ford tough materials for being more than eighty years old.
If you want to improve the steering for your T. First, make certain that everything in the front end is good and properly tight. Second. The one thing I would consider changing and do change on every speedster I have restored. Is to add a degree or two to the caster. DO NOT exceed about five degrees total. I did that once on a car I got together just barely in time for an Endurance Run. I knew the minute I got the front end put together that there was too much caster. But we did not have any minutes to spare to make the modification. The car drove just fine below 20mph. Over that speed it was like trying to parallel park a loaded truck without power steering. My shoulders were sore after 200 miles.
The tweak required to correct the caster required removal of the wishbone and a torch. The caster is now about five percent and the car drives beautifully! Even at 65mph.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Wayne 's right. If they're for sale reasonable, I'll buy em and put them on a car which is being donated to James Bissel's museum and won't be driven much.
I have also heard of these FAILING in use from metal fatigue. Nice wall hangers but not worth playing beat the reaper installing them.
Not trying to hijack this thread, but are these Rajo or Fronty spindles?
They do not look like the Rajo spindles I have seen.
The spindles alone, not the arms, look like European T items pictured on this form previously.
Mark, Those are Chevrolet Spindles.
Too bad some one doesn't make a quality spindle like that now. It would be a safe, easy and effective way to lower a speedster. There would be no clearance issues, unless it had fenders.
Hey Donald, I think the easiest way to get the same effect is to just get some '26-'27 spindles. They are offset just like the ones you see in the pics here. Lang's usually has used '26-'27 spindle bodies for sale. I think the drop is at least an inch, maybe two.
These have a lot more offset than the 26/27 spindles.
Warren,
In addition to the warnings that others have offered, (which I second), I'll also add that I do not believe the original purpose of the Rajo spindle was to aid in turning. I believe they were intended to bring the car back to "straight" after a turn. Basically, they would make it harder to turn, as if the caster were increased per Wayne's experience above.
Mark,
Overland spindles can also give the same offset/drop. (Don't remember what year)
Seth,
26 - 27 spindles don't drop as far as the Chev. or Overland ones. Didn't later European T's have a big drop as well?