1957 Rear Spring Adjustment | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1957 Rear Spring Adjustment

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zootr
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Zootr

1957 & 2003 owner
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With new rear springs, drivers side is 1/2 inch lower than passenger side. How do I adjust them?

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You may have to go to a spring shop and have them re-arch the springs on one side to make them level.
 
It is also possible the problem is with the front springs. They all interact to some degree even though not directly connected other then by the frame. A weak right front spring will make the left rear sit higher. I think the rear springs are identical so you could swap them from side to side and see if the 1/2" moves around. As Zcode said, I'd drive it a while and see if it settles in.
 
Somewhere there should be a punch list for properly measuring ride height on this vehicle. Things like all tires inflated to spec, on a level surface, full tank of gas, remove extraneous stuff from the car, and where to measure.
 
In the 57 FORD-BIRD WORKSHOP MANUAL, under the rear suspension section and specifications, there should be a description of finding the VEHICLE TRIM HEIGHT.

It would have to be performed on a truly level surface (level garage floor or front end/frame machine).

The frame has to be straight and all body mounts good.

As mentioned, if the front spring(s) are sagging, it is going to throw off the rear trim height also.

Let them settle and then take another reading. Swapping sides or having them re-arched may be necessary.

At the worst, you can make a shim out of an old leaf.

SIMILAR THREAD - https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...ng-front-springs-for-stance-adjustment.17225/
 
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One of the issues with the question of "correct" height is that no one agrees what it is. There are a couple of suggested proper heights people cite. They are not greatly different from each other but the rear height both list is widely different from what Ford listed in it's spec book. For 1957, Ford said to center of rear light lens should be 23.3 inches. (Front light, 28.07) That rear spec is far lower than is generally consider the "correct height" judging standards are 27.5 for rear (29 for front). The photos in the Ford 1957 Sales brochures show Tbirds with very low rear stance which would seem to match the spec book.
 
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Tom Alpers said:
One of the issues with the question of "correct" height is that no one agrees what it is. There are a couple of suggested proper heights people cite. They are not greatly different from each other but the rear height both list is widely different from what Ford listed in it's spec book. For 1957, Ford said to center of rear light lens should be 23.3 inches. (Front light, 28.07) That rear spec is far lower than is generally consider the "correct height" judging standards are 27.5 for rear (29 for front). The photos in the Ford 1957 Sales brochures show Tbirds with very low rear stance which would seem to match the spec book.
Click to expand...

I am at a disadvantage here as my TECH MATERIALS have been packed up and in storage (I am 77).

There has to be listed somewhere in FORD REPAIR INFO as how to determine correct vehicle trim height. That info is needed for crash repair and a simple alignment. Give me a day or so and I will venture into my COB WEB CORNER and dig out the 1957 WSM.

In lieu (Fr.) loo (UK), I think what is going on with judging at a car event is it is easier to measure body components from the ground to body part to determine trim instead of directly measuring as to FACTORY SPEC.

Shown is the procedure for a 1961-62 MERC -

TRIM HEIGHT - 1961-62 MERC WSM.jpeg​

Determining leaf spring rating and arch -

REAR LEAF _4.jpg​

FORD issued much more detailed repair info beyond the WSM as was used for crash and alignment racks. Sometimes you can find the manuals used on EvilBay.

If one desires QUALITY SPRINGS and related parts, EATON SPRING was the supplier to FOMOCO for many years. They still have the needed info (ratings) and tooling to make OEM rated springs and also can custom make them for a desired stance.
 
KULTULZ said:
I am at a disadvantage here as my TECH MATERIALS have been packed up and in storage (I am 77).

There has to be listed somewhere in FORD REPAIR INFO as how to determine correct vehicle trim height. That info is needed for crash repair and a simple alignment. Give me a day or so and I will venture into my COB WEB CORNER and dig out the 1957 WSM.

In lieu (Fr.) loo (UK), I think what is going on with judging at a car event is it is easier to measure body components from the ground to body part to determine trim instead of directly measuring as to FACTORY SPEC.

Shown is the procedure for a 1961-62 MERC -


Determining leaf spring rating and arch -


FORD issued much more detailed repair info beyond the WSM as was used for crash and alignment racks. Sometimes you can find the manuals used on EvilBay.

If one desires QUALITY SPRINGS and related parts, EATON SPRING was the supplier to FOMOCO for many years. They still have the needed info (ratings) and tooling to make OEM rated springs and also can custom make them for a desired stance.
Click to expand...

Yes, ford provided a lot of detail in terms of spring lengths, etc. But Ford also provided the most direct and simple way to measure "ride height" and that was to list the measurements to the center of the headlights and to the center of the taillights. Both easily measured with good accuracy with a simple tape measure. They are not listed in the repair manual, you have to go to the Ford Spec manual to find them. It seems people don't like Fords ride height spec and so different specs are now used for judging. And the difference is about 4 inches in the rear. I find it an interesting example of human nature that since people don't like the spec for ride height they establish judging specs that are different while at the same time penalizing people for having the wrong kind of head on the bolt holding the hood hinge to the hood.
 
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