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By junkyardjeff - 16 Years Ago
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I got Fatmans spindles along with lowered springs on my 55 and when turning right the right tire rubs the fender and it does not rub on a left turn plus I have a good case of bump steer on decent sized pot holes so I am thinking about taking everything out and starting over when I put a Y block back in,so does anyone know if there is a kit to put the granada brakes on the original spindles since the brake parts only have a couple thousand miles on them and would like to retain them.
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By bloodyknucklehill - 16 Years Ago
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i didn't read it all the way through but this might be what you're looking for http://www.ndgearheadscruiserproducts.com/id23.htm looks like their kit comes with spindles but maybe they'll sell you a kit without since you've got them already..
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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If you pick up a pair of 75-80 Granada Monarch Versailles spindles they will fit the original a-arms and all you have to do is have the lower hole where the balljoint bolts in reamed to an angle the origial ball joint bolts are.Thats what I am doing to mine when I get the front end apart.I already have the required parts.Just need to get the spindle hole reamed.Apparently these spindles only lower the car 1 inch.The Versaoles spindles require no modification.Just hard to find.These Granada spindles are also sought after by the 60's Mustang owners because they fit those cars also.Cost me $200.00 for a pair here in Ontario.Harder to find.Most of those cars are long gone for scrap.The yard owner I got mine from pulled them off before scrapping and most of his spindles are sold.
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By junkyardjeff - 16 Years Ago
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I did have a pair but dont know what happened to them,I took all the parts off them for the dropped spindles and probably threw them in the scrap pile thinking I would never need them.
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By MoonShadow - 16 Years Ago
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Did you contact Fatman about the problem your having? They are usually pretty good about helping. Are you steering adjustments (tie rods etc.) centered? This is the first I've heard of interference or bump steer from this type of conversion. Chuck in NH
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I chose not to use Granada spindles on my '54 Mercury. I went to the local boneyard and found a set of spindles with new brakes from a 1975 Cougar. The calipers are bigger and they bolt on with the help of a sleeve that I made on the lathe. The sleeve fits over the original ball joint to take up the slack. Everyone uses Granada spindles, but they have to be reamed out at a 7 degree tapper for the lower ball joint to fit. If you choose to go the route that I took, I can make you a set of these sleeves. Also the Cougar spindles have a 1 inch drop, which gave my Mercury a better stance and better handling in the curves.
The Cougar spindles also came with 11" rotors. My only regret was that I didn't do this 3 yrs ago. I am also rebuilding a 1960 Thunderbird rack so that I can have power assist steering, it only cost me $20.00 and that to me is a lot better than paying the big bucks for the racks I have seen on the net.
All together I have paid less then $100.00 for power disc brakes and power steering.
Buy the way, I used a brake booster and master from a 70's model Ford truck that was bolt on.
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By junkyardjeff - 16 Years Ago
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I also have lowered springs on it too and it all looked like it was centered up when I put it togather and when I had it aligned I was told of no problems,I have it lowered too much and need to get it back up some and I might put drums back on it if I cant get the granada discs to go on the original spindles. I know where a couple 55 wagons are with the brakes still on them so that might be what I do and while I am at it get the front sway bar if its thicker.
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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When you had the alignment done, did they shim the control arms. If the front dropped that much, they would have shimmed the control arms and if they did, they might have one side shimmed too much. The tire should not be rubbing on one side only unless there is an alignment issue.
Also of the ride is too low, just replace the springs to get the body off the tires.
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By 55Birdman - 16 Years Ago
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Drop n Stop in Calif has direct bolt on discs for the 55.
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By Fordy Guy - 16 Years Ago
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Hey guys, hope I'm not changing the subject here but do the early Birds have the same spindle as the 54-56 sedans and hardtops? I know that Prestige Thunderbird has a front disc brake kit that adapts to the factory spindle for the early Birds and includes everything to do the job. What I would like to know is if anyone has heard if this setup is ok or not. I would love to have disc brakes on my 55 Bird but don't want to change spindles to do it.
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By 55Birdman - 16 Years Ago
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MP Brakes in Mooresville NC has direct bolt on disc brakes for the bird too.
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By Tom Compton - 16 Years Ago
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Heere's another to look at. http://hotrodsandbrakes.com/fordbrakekits.aspx
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By ejstith - 16 Years Ago
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Jeffs54Merc (11/22/2009)
I chose not to use Granada spindles on my '54 Mercury. I went to the local boneyard and found a set of spindles with new brakes from a 1975 Cougar. The calipers are bigger and they bolt on with the help of a sleeve that I made on the lathe. The sleeve fits over the original ball joint to take up the slack. Everyone uses Granada spindles, but they have to be reamed out at a 7 degree tapper for the lower ball joint to fit. If you choose to go the route that I took, I can make you a set of these sleeves. Also the Cougar spindles have a 1 inch drop, which gave my Mercury a better stance and better handling in the curves.
The Cougar spindles also came with 11" rotors. My only regret was that I didn't do this 3 yrs ago. I am also rebuilding a 1960 Thunderbird rack so that I can have power assist steering, it only cost me $20.00 and that to me is a lot better than paying the big bucks for the racks I have seen on the net.
All together I have paid less then $100.00 for power disc brakes and power steering.
Buy the way, I used a brake booster and master from a 70's model Ford truck that was bolt on.
I like this idea. I don't suppose you have any pictures?
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I will have a some pictures within the next few days. I am kinda busy at the shop at this time, but I will pull the wheel off and give you a shot of the disc brakes and other shots as well. I have to pull the picture of the sleeve off my other computor, but I will have that as well.
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By junkyardjeff - 16 Years Ago
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I like the idea of the 75 cougar brakes as I am not all that impressed with the stopping with the granada as it does not seem much better then the original drums.
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 16 Years Ago
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Junkyard, I find that hard to believe? I went the Granada route and couldn't believe how easy and cheap it was! I used 77 Granada spindles from a bone yard, $20.00 to have them reamed 7 deg. and the rest came brand new from Napa, off the shelf! Everything bolted in, including the standard (non-power) master cylinder and now my 56 stops on a dime!  Total investment was under $300.00 and conversion took me a weekend. I was amased that when I went to bolt up my tie rod ends, they required very little adjustment to get my toe in correct. Only adustment from the alignment shop was camber. This was also with the front end lowered. Granada spindles dropped me 1 inch, lowering blocks on my lower control arms dropped me another 3 inches.
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By 55vickey - 16 Years Ago
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I'll be converting to front discs on my 55 vickey this winter. ECI has a complete conversion kit that will mount onto my original spindles, with no machine work required for $450. I'd also like to lower the front end, with the best ride in mind....dropped spindles or Aerostar coils? I've heard the coils give a nice ride, just need a little help on this one? Thanx, Gary
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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Folks, it is cheaper to do a '55 or later Ford/Mercury. The 1954 is all to it's own when it comes to adding disc brakes. The kit alone will cost $1,200.00 and up. I found it easy to add Cougar spindles.
Spindles with calipers and new drakes from the bone yard cost me $15.00, new brake lines for the front $18.00. Brake booster and master cylinder $10.00 from the bone yard. Sleeve for the ball joint - free, I made them.
Here are the pictures to show what I did.
Here are the sleeves that fit over the lower ball joint.
I am not sure if the 55 and up cars use the same lower ball joint. If they use the bigger one, this becomes a bolt-on unit.
Can somebody explain to me why everyone uses Granada spindles instead of Cougar spindles for these heavier cars? I'm not trying to be a smart #@#*^, but to stop a big truck they use big brakes. These are big cars and they require more stopping power. My Mercury stops with such ease now and it is not a chore to slow it down in the mountains of southern Ky.
I hope this will help someone in their quest for better brakes.
Here is the brake booster and master cylinder
here is the brake rotor and caliper
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By Rono - 16 Years Ago
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Jeff; I put a pair of 2&1/2" drop Granada spindles with 11" disk brakes on my'56 Customline from a company called "Drop and Stop". They advertise in a couple of the Y-Block magazines and elsewhere. I'm pretty happy with them although I did have to cut my springs down some. Rono
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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Hello Jeff! According to my interchange book 54 Merc uses same spindles as 55-56 Ford.Looks like you came up with a nice set of brakes on yours.Another possibility for someone doing a 55-56 Ford.Nice job!
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By Ron - 16 Years Ago
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Hey, what about disc brakes for a '59 merc? Can I use those '75 cougar spindles?
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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I'm sure they fit great, I wanted to buy a kit for my car as well, but I could only find two companies that even offered them for a 1954 Mercury.
The '54 Mercury was the first production passenger car with ball joints, the '53 had king pins. They design was new at the time and it was changed in 1955 to the style that you have. The '54 model was all to it's own and that makes it hard to find a company that sells brake kits. I have researched this for over a year with little results. So, not only being an upholsterer, I am a machinist with his own mill and lathe and it came to me to make something fit and be functional.
Another feature of doing this is that it all looks good and doesn't look aftermarket. I have had die-hard Ford guys comment on how it looks more original. I know the booster and master cylinder look way different from the '70s Ford truck, but they don't look aftermarket either.
I just can't wait to drop in the new '57 Thunderbird 312 and redo the upholstery for next springs car shows.
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 16 Years Ago
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Not sure how to lower a 54 or earlier model, but on 55 /56's I simply drilled out the rivets on my lower control arms that hold in the spring cup. I used some 1" alluminum bar stock and cut four spacers to length. Drilled the bar stock to match the holes in the control arms and bolted the blocks in between the control arms and the spring cups (use grade 8 bolts). This will lower your car about 3"s and does not affect alignment that much (Camber can easily be shimmed). This will give you a ride of somewhat softer springs, but I corrected that with a good set of gas shocks (1" shorter than stock). Car rides great, a little rougher when hitting a good pot hole, but people always ask me if I have air ride as the car sits so low and still rides smooth!
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By Jeffs54Merc - 16 Years Ago
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My 1954 Mercury use to be the fire chief's car in Bolder Colo.. It came with shorter springs and a professional lowering kit in stalled. A well done job too.
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By junkyardjeff - 16 Years Ago
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I am looking at the machined granada spindles from DC enterprises but I might be able to do the torino spindle swap cheaper but the spindles from DC would be easier so it looks like its decision time,I have all winter to decide and it looks like I am going to do some repair to the rear end as I have a axle with too much end play and it has new bearings. I have a maverick 8 inch in it and the 2.79 gears are a little too tall for a heavy car so while its apart I am thinking about 3.00 or 3.25 gears.
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By ejstith - 16 Years Ago
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junkyardjeff (12/1/2009)
I am looking at the machined granada spindles from DC enterprises but I might be able to do the torino spindle swap cheaper but the spindles from DC would be easierso it looks like its decision time,I have all winter to decide and it looks like I am going to do some repair to the rear end as I have a axle with too much end play and it has new bearings. I have a maverick 8 inch in it and the 2.79 gears are a little too tall for a heavy car so while its apart I am thinking about 3.00 or 3.25 gears.
Was that Maverick rear end a bolt in? I was wondering what kind of Maverick/ Mustang 8" rear end would bolt right up to '56 spring pads.
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By junkyardjeff - 16 Years Ago
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Tha maverick rear end bolted up and the E brake cables even hooked right up.
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By slumlord444 - 16 Years Ago
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'54-'56 sedan spindles are the same as T-bird. I have one on my '57 Bird.
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By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
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junkyardjeff (11/22/2009)
I got Fatmans spindles along with lowered springs on my 55 and when turning right the right tire rubs the fender and it does not rub on a left turn plus I have a good case of bump steer on decent sized pot holes so I am thinking about taking everything out and starting over when I put a Y block back in,so does anyone know if there is a kit to put the granada brakes on the original spindles since the brake parts only have a couple thousand miles on them and would like to retain them.
I just saw an ECI ad, they have kits for a 55. Not sure on the spindle but you can call them. Engineered Components Inc in Connecticut
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