'56 Rear spring setting
- Thread starter peter1956
- Start date
Help Support tbirdforum.com:
Jimz Bird
Well-known member
Hi again Peter,
Here ya go. Just off the top of my head.
These are assembled spring dimensions.
Width = 2"
Distance between mouning bolt holes on ends = 25 1/4" (one end to center), 30" (center to other end) = 55 1/4" total
Arch - Straight line between holes to top of assembled springs = 7 3/4"
Assembled thickness of all 5 leaves = 1 5/16"
I have also attached a graphic of the spring.
If you have the CASCO catalog (print or .pdf) page 20 has all the parts you need to rebuild them. Including the anti-squeak pads. Other vendors have them also.
There is a difference in the spring clamps. The older style (55/56) has rubber on the top also and the newer (56/57) style has rubber only on the bottom and sides.
OK, not quite off the top of my head. It was something I had wondered about in the past so I dug around and found the info here.
1956-1957 Ford Thunderbird - Leaf Spring (Rear - 5 Leaves) - 42-211 | $138.95
The info on the clamps is from the CTCI Restoration Manual.
If you do need to replace them I would check to see where they are made. These are less expensive than CASCO, but if they are Chinese junk steel I would "spring" for the USA steel made ones regardless of price.
There are other spring vendors also.
Let us know what you come up with and what you do.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Here ya go. Just off the top of my head.
These are assembled spring dimensions.
Width = 2"
Distance between mouning bolt holes on ends = 25 1/4" (one end to center), 30" (center to other end) = 55 1/4" total
Arch - Straight line between holes to top of assembled springs = 7 3/4"
Assembled thickness of all 5 leaves = 1 5/16"
I have also attached a graphic of the spring.
If you have the CASCO catalog (print or .pdf) page 20 has all the parts you need to rebuild them. Including the anti-squeak pads. Other vendors have them also.
There is a difference in the spring clamps. The older style (55/56) has rubber on the top also and the newer (56/57) style has rubber only on the bottom and sides.
OK, not quite off the top of my head. It was something I had wondered about in the past so I dug around and found the info here.
1956-1957 Ford Thunderbird - Leaf Spring (Rear - 5 Leaves) - 42-211 | $138.95
The info on the clamps is from the CTCI Restoration Manual.
If you do need to replace them I would check to see where they are made. These are less expensive than CASCO, but if they are Chinese junk steel I would "spring" for the USA steel made ones regardless of price.
There are other spring vendors also.
Let us know what you come up with and what you do.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Last edited:
'56 rear spring setting
peter1956,
In lew of getting "NEW" springs, if yours are not up to snuff you might try a local spring and suspension shop. They may be able to re-arch yours. It is a lot cheaper and depending on how much you drive the car will last quite a long time. Good luck...
Rusty1
peter1956,
In lew of getting "NEW" springs, if yours are not up to snuff you might try a local spring and suspension shop. They may be able to re-arch yours. It is a lot cheaper and depending on how much you drive the car will last quite a long time. Good luck...
Rusty1
Suspension low
My ’56’s suspension was sitting a bit low in the rear and noticeably lower on the left side. I fitted new top and bottom inner suspension bushes. Also 2 new coils. I also removed and dismantled the rear springs. I cleaned up the leaves, and put a bit more set in them. (re-arched them). The left one was less, but both are now equal. I also renewed all bushes, shackles, insulator pads, etc. All back together, the ride height is much better, but still sits lower on the left.
NOW! There was a spacer on the left coil. I assumed this was to counteract a weak spring, so didn’t put it back. I read somewhere that these were also put in to compensate for extra weight on the left, eg, A/C. I don’t have A/C.
Has anyone else battled with this scenario?
My ’56’s suspension was sitting a bit low in the rear and noticeably lower on the left side. I fitted new top and bottom inner suspension bushes. Also 2 new coils. I also removed and dismantled the rear springs. I cleaned up the leaves, and put a bit more set in them. (re-arched them). The left one was less, but both are now equal. I also renewed all bushes, shackles, insulator pads, etc. All back together, the ride height is much better, but still sits lower on the left.
NOW! There was a spacer on the left coil. I assumed this was to counteract a weak spring, so didn’t put it back. I read somewhere that these were also put in to compensate for extra weight on the left, eg, A/C. I don’t have A/C.
Has anyone else battled with this scenario?
56 spring setting
peter1956,
The spacer in the front coil is there for two reasons. One is compensate for the road crown and two it is there to compensate for driver weight. These cars were mostly one person cars. You should put it back. Sounds like you have done all the corrective measures to the rears. Maybe the front coils are also sagging. ??
Rusty1
peter1956,
The spacer in the front coil is there for two reasons. One is compensate for the road crown and two it is there to compensate for driver weight. These cars were mostly one person cars. You should put it back. Sounds like you have done all the corrective measures to the rears. Maybe the front coils are also sagging. ??
Rusty1
Jimz Bird
Well-known member
Peter,
Yes, as Rusty stated it is on the left only.
The Restoration Manual speaks of it as well as the vendors sell it for the left side only.
It is also listed in the Ford Parts Catalog as 5355 (55-57 S LH only) The "S" is of course Thunderbird.
Other than that it sounds like you did well on the rebuild.
Jim
Yes, as Rusty stated it is on the left only.
The Restoration Manual speaks of it as well as the vendors sell it for the left side only.
It is also listed in the Ford Parts Catalog as 5355 (55-57 S LH only) The "S" is of course Thunderbird.
Other than that it sounds like you did well on the rebuild.
Jim
Attachments
Yes, I think I will put it back. I did put brand new coils in the front. As far as the rear is concerned, I may have to put a spacer between the spring and axle on the right side to lower it. Also will try leaving the insulator rubber out on the left side, which will raise it a bit.
