Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:03 am
Re the bolts that hold the two axle housings together, are the nuts on the driver or passenger side when they came from the factory. Always wondered about that.
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Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:28 am
That is getting pretty technical Richard! Open up the Ford Service book and look at the pictures. I'm sure you will find something!
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:32 am
Richard: Fig 322, Para 567 of the model T service handbook appears to show differential clamshell bolts with nuts on driver side (ring gear side) of rear axle. jb
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:40 am
FWIW, & it aint much. I have parted out quite a few late rear ends. (20's era) The majority of original hardware, grease caked, seemingly virgin rear ends have the nuts on the right, passenger side.
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:43 am
I'd say that they could go either way, before the assembly line came into being and the power tools used for tightening fasteners were in fixed locations. No doubt some of Ford's workers were left-handed, so, early on, they did it however it was more comfortable for them.
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:02 am
Some say drivers sise, some say passenger, some say either way. That solves it! LOL
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:08 am
Nuts on driver's side north of the equator. Nuts on passenger side south of the equator.
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:48 am
do pictures help?
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 12:06 pm
How about swap every other one? That will really have the forum talking a 100 years from now!
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 12:39 pm
This photo was taken in 1913 of a tornado-damaged '09 or '10.
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 1:33 pm
I’m thinking tha since Ford wanted things done in a uniform way the assembly workers put the nuts on one side and got use to it. But then again all Model T’s were black ——— weren’t they? Hmmmmmmmm 
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 1:41 pm
If in doubt follow what Dan Hatch said. At least some of them will be right! 
Norm
Norm
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 1:48 pm
I buy this answer for pre assembly line T,s.R.V.Anderson wrote: ↑Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:43 amI'd say that they could go either way, before the assembly line came into being and the power tools used for tightening fasteners were in fixed locations. No doubt some of Ford's workers were left-handed, so, early on, they did it however it was more comfortable for them.
I note the lock washer usage in the pix. Does that put that question to bed also?
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:16 pm
It might depend on whether the worker on the rear end assembly line was right handed or left handed. I know that, as a right hander, I prefer to install the nuts on the right hand side. If the same goes for left handers, it seems that, for them, installing the nut on the left hand side would be easier. Since the majority of people are right handed, it stands to reason that on most Model T’s, the pumpkin nuts would be on the right. Jim Patrick
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:39 pm
I'm a righty too, but I would place the nuts on the left side. I don't really know why, though. Now that I've seen the pix, I would do it the way shown.jiminbartow wrote: ↑Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:16 pmIt might depend on whether the worker on the rear end assembly line was right handed or left handed. I know that, as a right hander, I prefer to install the nuts on the right hand side. If the same goes for left handers, it seems that, for them, installing the nut on the left hand side would be easier. Since the majority of people are right handed, it stands to reason that on most Model T’s, the pumpkin nuts would be on the right. Jim Patrick
Re: Rear axle housings question
Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2021 7:45 am
Richard, which is the driver's side? It can be either left or right. If you need to get that technical, you need to refer to left and right side, rather than drivers and passenger sides.
Allan from down under, where we drive on the left side of the road
Allan from down under, where we drive on the left side of the road