Need some measurement help.

[Guest]

Hi,
Could someone give me the measurement between the attachements of a front shock absorber from a Ford t-bird 59 - 60? I would need the measurement in driving height... not extended or collapsed... anyone who could help me??
Thank you
Wal Lie

[YellowRose]

Need some measurement help.

Is there anyone who happens to have one of their front wheels off their Squarebird that can get a measurement for our newest member from Belgium? jopizz tried, but with the wheel on, was not able to get a good measurement. If anyone can help, please do.

[DKheld]

Went down and measured mine for you. The car was sitting normally - did not jack it up etc. Measurement was 12 3/4 inches from where the shock attaches to the A-arm up to the body mount on the fender well. ........and then it hit me..........I have '77 Granada spindles for my front disc brakes. - Ooops.

Supposedly the Granada spindles lowered the front end of the car 3/4 inches but I only noticed about a 1/4 inch difference from the same point on my bumper before and after the conversion.

It's been so long since I did my conversion it seems normal to have front disc's. Hopefully someone else will get a measurement on a stock car for you.

Eric

[simplyconnected]

We normally measure driving height from the floor to the lip of the fender, at the highest point. Here's a post about a '61 T-bird:

http://squarebirds.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1965

I don't know how the shock height will help because it is a ratio between the spring and pivot point 'shut height', and not very accurate.

The fender lip measurement is very accurate, and your front springs should rest at this height. The shock has little to do with it. - Dave

[Guest]

We normally measure driving height from the floor to the lip of the fender, at the highest point. Here's a post about a '61 T-bird:

http://squarebirds.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1965

I don't know how the shock height will help because it is a ratio between the spring and pivot point 'shut height', and not very accurate.

The fender lip measurement is very accurate, and your front springs should rest at this height. The shock has little to do with it. - Dave

Thank you for your reply.. The situation is that the entire front suspension is disassembled because i had a problem with a wheal bearing this summer. Result = spindle and hub broke
So i ordered new spindle and hub and renewed all bushings and rubbers on control arms. While i was changing it i wanted also to put air suspension in front. Because Ride tech does not have the airshocks in standard version for a 59 t-bird they needed some measurements from the shocks. Extended-collpased and the measurement between the two attachements at driving height. Thats why i need this and like my front suspension is disassambled..... Or maybe sombody has experience with airsuspension in a T-bird 59? Cheers

[simplyconnected]

In 1958, Ford had a program to fit air suspension in Squarebirds and other cars. The air bags take the place of your coil springs, leaving no room for shocks inside the 'A' arms. 1958 Thunderbirds had brackets to hold shock absorbers in the wheel wells, outside the spring area.

You can still find the 'range of motion' by moving the 'A' arms up and down against the bumpers, without a coil spring installed.

Ford did mount air suspension in a few Thunderbirds, Edsels, etc., but they abruptly dropped the pilot program on all car lines. - Dave