I put Granada spindles on my 54 Ford (same suspension as a TBird) and don't have any bump steer problem. Had the alignment done by a pro shop.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I actually put the Tbird on a friends alignment rack this morning when I stopped by to get his thoughts. That's when we found the ball joints out of whack. My alignment was reasonably close, the wheels were straight and it didn't pull. Here is a link that goes a long way in explaining bump steer. Mustang(Pinto)II front ends use the same kind of spindle but with rack and pinion steering and bump steer kits are available for some those applications. Mustangs often use the Granada swap and bump steer kits to reposition the tie-rods are popular with them. Once I have the new ball joints in, plotting out the bump steer will be on the list just because I want to know. Also included is a link to a popular bump steer kit for Granada spindles and Mustangs.

http://dazed.home.bresnan.net/bump

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/baertracker/

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Guys I have been trying to find a set of lowering spindles for my 55' Tbird and there are none to be found. I'd like to keep the drums for a few reasons and so I'm working toward making a set of drum brake drop spindles. The first hurdle is when the drum is dropped 2-3" the ball joint is directly in place of the outer channel for the shoe area, and therefore the spindle will be pushed out 20-25mm, sorry about an inch. Though this can be accommodated by the wheel centre. However widening is a desirable effect when in moderation of the original design.
I think the spindle and backing plate could all be cast together and appropriately machined to to take shoes etc. at the desirable height with the tie rod end aligned with the ball joints as original.

Oh and you can by spindles for the disc brakes with the original alignments too.
I have read the Granadas have this hassel, your only ment to use the disc's and calipers with the new spindles.

CK,

Have you checked with these folks?

http://www.dropnstop.com/page2.html

They have been around for a long time.

Another one that is mentioned some is Fatman.

http://www.fatmanfab.com/

I have no experience with them but others may have.

HTH

Jim
Norfolk, VA

"MABLE"
1956 Thunderbird Green / Brown Interior (ZE-XG)

"MEAN GREEN"
1956 Mainline (FG-BE)

I have spoken to these guys. Yet no drum brake spindles.

CK - If you simply want to lower the car without changing brakes - why not put the aluminum lowering bars in the front A-arms? They are easy to get and simple to do...... Yes, it will change the distance to the bump stops.

You can get similar results and a better ride by installing the Aerostar front springs. The variable spring rate springs are a useful modern mechanical change to the little cars. And they change the distance to the bump stops as well.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona