Iv been lookin on line and I can't seem to find the info im lookin for. (I may have seen it and just not known what I was lookin at) im fixin to rebuild my front suspension on my 55 crown vic, n my mechanic son in law was askin what the "stock ride hight" is/was. How do I find that info? He says its important so we don't put "twist" in the bushings when we set it back down.

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca

I don't know where you would find that info, but I don't think it is important.  In general, you want to torque a-arm pivot bolts, and such with the suspension loaded, sitting on the ground, or ramps (as level as possible), or a four post lift, for example.  You want to roll the car a few feet to allow the suspension to completely settle.  Back it off the lift, put it back on the lift, back it of the ramps, put it back on the ramps, etc.  This way the bushings are not twisted at ride height so they only twist when the suspension is compressed or extended.  I think this is the best way, because no two cars will be the same, so even the "correct" specification may be off a bit for a given combination.

If you replace everything, you could go back and retorque everything after you've put a couple hundred miles on the car, to make sure all of the new components have settled.



Lawrenceville, GA

Thanks Charlie, that info makes me feel more comfortable. We are replacing everything. All new bushings, tie rods etc. Gonna be a lot of work but I think well worth it. Ill let ya know how it goes.....

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca

The front ride height is published in the shop manual. If I recall it is 34 inches from the ground to the center of the headlight.

When we pulled the drums off the front end we found the rt side had the primary and secondary shoes reversed? Lft side is correct with the longer shoe to the rear and shorter shoe to the front. Oops! The rebuild on the suspension is going swimmingly! No problems so far. Just a ill update.

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca

Ive seen people throw shoes on like that many times before.  Generally its by people that really don't know much about drums and figure going forward you want the bigger shoe on the front not realizing these using the rotating force of the wheel to apply the brakes so forward shoes are mounted to the rear and reverse shoes to the front.  Honestly its a easy enough mistake if you are not knowledgeable about the operation of drum brakes.

I did mine few weeks back and I only had to replace the front shoes as the primary shoes were paper thin the rear shoes were still like new and still had the groove in them.  Front ones don't have grooves in the shoes now but they are bendix relined shoes though.

As far as the ride height goes, I wouldn't worry about it too much just use the correct parts and make sure the vehicle is sitting on its suspension before tightening up the control arm bushions.  If new springs are being installed let the car sit a day or two before tightening the bushings as the coil springs will settle over a few days if they are new or if they are original ones that were left uncompressed for multiple days.


1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi