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By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

Wallowing/rolling indicates my Monroe gas shocks may have reached the end of their useful life (45K miles). I wonder if any of the expensive high-end brands included with hi-po suspension kits sold by T-Bird suppliers would last longer?

I remember a time when OEM oil-filled shocks were routinely tossed with only 15K miles on them. The original parts on my Acura are still providing a very acceptable ride after a quarter million miles.

By 55Birdman - 17 Years Ago

I used monroe coil over rear shocks and they have been working for about 7 years now.

By PWH42 - 17 Years Ago

I have two 56's,one with Gabriels from NAPA and one with KYB from Concours.The Gabriels do a lot better job.The car with the KYBs handles awful on a wavy road.They do a terrible job of controlling rebound.

By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

Paul,

Do you have the Gabriel/NAPA part #, by any chance? One front shock has definitely failed, so I need to buy a spring compressor, I guess (?).

Also, the T-bird catalog KBY model description suggests they are adjustable?

By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

Oops (should have read the manual first). I guess the shock just drops down through the spring.

Would welcome any tips/advice re: parts not included with the shocks that should be replaced, whether the A-arm needs to be supported, etc,.

Anyone have experience with Bilsteins? Harsh rebound like the KBYs?

By paul2748 - 17 Years Ago

DANIEL TINDER (6/26/2008)

Daniel - the shock goes in from the bottom. There is a plate on the bottom that is bolted to the lower A arm that comes off, holds the lower end of shock

By oldcarmark - 17 Years Ago

Hello all,2 numbers that were recomended by another 56 Ford owner are ,Front Gabriel 82026 and rear Gabriel G63398 Ultra which are actually listed for Ford pickup but are correct length and mounts for 56 Ford car.Chuck Gardiner came up with these after much experimenting and catalogue searching. www.chuckgardiner.com/1956ford.htm. (If you have not seen his car on his website have a look.A really excellent restoration)Regards,Mark

By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

55Birdman,

Do you have a part #? Monroe web site does not include LoadLeveler/coil-over type in model specific, catalog listing.

P.S. The only front shock they recommend for T-Bird is a more expensive, limiting travel type (might consider for combating nose-dive). Gabriel site only lists the cheaper #82026 gas shocks.

By sundance241 - 17 Years Ago

Danial, I have a monroe # 1007 for a front shock....wrote it in the back of my old 55 ford shop manual, when i was playing with t-birds...Dont know if the number is still good , but maybe it will help.......Sam west central Florida

By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

Sam,

Thanks anyway, but must be an obsolete # (can't find in current catalog).

By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

If anyone is interested, the Monroe tech. rep. referred me to a place called "Shock Finders" that custom-builds coil-over/LoadLeveler type shocks for applications no longer serviced by Monroe/Gabriel, etc.

They are a bit pricey, but you can specify the amount of lift/support needed, and the model of base shock you desire.

I ordered a set of low-pressure gas shocks with lighter (700#), progressive (?) springs for the rear of my "55 Bird, and will report later on the outcome.

By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

FYI/update:

Finally installed the "Load-Leveler/coil-over" gas shocks from Shockfinders (800-344-1966/$160) today . As I requested, they raised the rear about an inch, the ride is firm but not harsh, and they fit OK with no interference (had to pry on the second one just a bit to squeeze it into place). Sometimes you win one.

By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

DANIEL TINDER (10/4/2008)

Didn't occur to me until the next day, but for the benefit of anyone else changing rear shocks for the first time; If you remove/insert both instead of changing/tightening one-at-a-time, no prying would likely be required (duh....)!

By bird55 - 17 Years Ago

Daniel thanks for the update-I've had an extra leaf in my bird for a jillion years and should probably remove it and go your route. less sway, but a harsher ride-which was fine when I was a kid. your deal seems to make more sense. would like to hear more.

By DANIEL TINDER - 17 Years Ago

Alan,

Did that extra leaf raise the rear end any? I likely would have gone that way if my springs had needed replacing, as that upgrade is an often recommended improvement for 55s. Since the shock change was overdue anyhow, the coil-overs were a simple way to gain a bit of rear-end height, and firm up the handling just a tad.

If you order a set from the same place, be advised that I specified a weaker-than-standard helper spring, and insisted on low pressure gas instead of the standard oil-filled (invoice # was 24107, if that's any help). Ride is just barely firmer than the Monroe gas shocks I took off. You might not want to sacrifice ALL the extra handling you are used to, and with a jillion miles on your springs, you may need more height than me if you pull that extra leaf.

My rear springs weren't really sagging (going by 50's photos of new Birds hubcap-skirt distance), and I think it likely my slight reverse rake was the result of new front coils a bit longer than stock, installed by a previous owner (again, from vintage photos of tire/fender relationship)?

Since all the springs were fine otherwise, the car has now been leveled with a minimum of fuss, and the extra inch of ground clearance just makes it easier to work on.