1961 Bird Pulls to Right when Braking

[GeoffInCarlsbad]

'61 Strut Bushings

I am going to stick to the '61 Shop Manual and subsequent guides and the B3187B Bushings recommended by the OEM. Since my suspension has the Sway Bar not shown in the diagram, but in the Shop Manual, I thought something was different, but conferring with another local restoration person, '61 p/n is correct.

There must be something else going on with the suspension that is causing this issue with wearing the strut bushings so quickly.

Taking it back to the alignment shop for a front end specialist, as I have replaced all bushings and ball joints in the suspension, and the idler arm bushing.

Amendment: Alignment shop wants me to use 1970-71 Ford F-150 bushings.....I am sticking with the OEM.

[GeoffInCarlsbad]

Final Update

Took '61 to a reputable restoration shop. Here's what we learned:

1) Drums that were turned by general automotive shop were not in round. Restorer sent them to a specialist and came back round.
2) Shoes/linings did not fit properly to the drum. Right lining was cracked due to all the excessive heat created by the faulty drum.
3) As a pre-caution, I replaced the inner and outer wheel bearings of both front wheels, re-packed properly.

Result: no pull to either side. Brakes very effective. Strut bushings do not appear to be getting chewed up.

Next Step: Proper front end alignment should do the trick. needs a toe-in, and currently there is a slight drift to the left, but all correctable.

[Randy]

Happy cruising down the boulevard,