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How much pedal free play should I have in my 1957 Thunderbird with the three speed manual transmission? Currently, I have zero free play at the pedal and I know that must be incorrect.

Replacing my front brake drums and ran into a rubbing issue with the right side. Noticed my new drum is missing a chamfer in the area where the drum fits over the backing plate flange. Anyone run into this??

Anyone have experience separating the front brake drum from the wheel hub? I need to replace both front drums and have come to understand a press is needed to separate the hub from the drum.

Anyone out there use their lift to pull the hardtop off of a T Bird? I need to come up with something. I've seen the rope and pulley system. Just thought I might rig up something with the lift arms to pull the top off and hold it temporarily while we go out *******.

Anyone out there have experience with the KYB shock set offered by several dealers? I'm ready to replace our Thunderbird shocks and don't want to make a mistake.

I need a recommendation on the best place to buy a new heater valve. Previous one suffered an internal rupture. It doesn't look to be really old so I'm wondering if it is one of low quality. Thanks for any suggestions!

My '57 Thunderbird has a set of Coker Classic radials. When my right front brake locked up, the wheel got very hot and fatally damaged the tire. I'll buy a new one to replace it but my question is, how reliable are these tires? I've read good and bad but wanted to hear some member experiences...

Seems I have an out of round brake drum. Am I mistaken in thinking the front drums and hubs are one piece? I see offerings from vendors for front drums less the hubs but I believe my hubs/drums are one piece. Maybe the hubs are riveted to the drums? Referenced my shop manual but have not found...

This is the push rod as it came out of my '57 master cylinder. I've seen a couple different ends on these. A flat end with what looks like an o-ring and a rounded end with the same o-ring. Which one is correct? The pic to the right is the rod as offered from NPD.

Anyone out there have success purchasing a downloadable shop manual? I prefer a pdf version but want to make sure the vendor is reputable.

I don't like doing drum brakes...really don't. In the middle of a complete brake rebuild on the '57 Thunderbird. Fronts done, moving to the rear I discover the shoes are 1 3/4" wide compared to the kit replacements 2 1/2" wide! Ordered the "complete brake rebuild kit" from Ecklers (Macs)...

Rebuilding the brakes on the '57 Thunderbird and I noticed something missing from my front brakes. Everything looks good except the horizontal spring in the image I found on the internet. Is this spring necessary? The pic without the spring is one of my front brakes. Have not looked at the rear...

Second attempt to drive the Thunderbird to our new home. Everything great until about thirty miles from our destination the right front brake locked up. It got so hot the paint was burnt off the wheel and the valve stem blew out. This occurred after I'd pulled over to the shoulder. I had...

We were on our way, in the Thunderbird, to our new home, about a three hour drive when about 40 miles into the trip the car overheated. Upon inspection, evidently the heater valve diaphragm ruptured and allowed coolant to escape. The top radiator hose was very tight so maybe the thermostat stuck...

Anyone have experience with the regal brand soft top assemblies? I want a complete soft top for my '57 Thunderbird. Thanks!

What voltage should I read at the battery with the engine running? I've measured voltage on other vehicles (12V Systems), and the voltage at the battery is usually around 13-14 vdc. I am reading just less than 12 volts on the Thunderbird with the engine running.

Going to install the new dash pad tomorrow. Read a post on a different site where a pad was installed without glue. This installation was successful as the pad hasn't moved in nine months. I figure it is worth a try as if the pad begins to shift, I can glue it down then. I'm just concerned about...

I did receive several words of advice several weeks ago concerning the installation of my rear glass. I had two experienced car guys help me install the glass and haven't had an issue until now. The glass came out again and I have a couple questions. Anyone ever use polyurethane or sealer when...

Took the Thunderbird out for a ride yesterday and became aware of a nasty noise while in first gear. Doesn't really make the noise accelerating in first but coasting in first the noise is very noticeable. Doesn't seem to make the noise in second or third. I have not been under the car yet but...

The dash pad in our '57 is marginal. Has a couple tears that we could live with except the foam padding has deteriorated to the point it is coming out in fragments each time someone touches the dash or opens the glove box. New dash pads run about $450 and we really do not want to spend that...