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.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

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..

Dustin

Southern Oregon Y's Guy

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1441322018

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.

  

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.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

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

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

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.

Jeff Leydig
Stallions Auto Interiors
Stearns, Ky. USA

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.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

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.

Jeff Leydig
Stallions Auto Interiors
Stearns, Ky. USA

Drop n Stop in Calif has direct bolt on discs for the 55.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

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.

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird