Aerostar springs

Paul Selfe

Paul Selfe

Senior Member
Has anyone put Aerostar front springs on a 55-56 Ford stock suspension? If so, what year, can you use stk. spring pads, and how much drop do you get from this setup? Thanks, Paul Selfe.
 
Thanks for the HAMB info Ron, that's what I was looking for. I don't want too much drop. Since I will be replacing front bushings this winter, along with a disc brake kit, I may as well put in some new springs. Paul Selfe.
 
Aero springs should be available locally, I think I heard around $50 a pair or so. Also, if you're wanting to save a few $$$ you might consider converting to power drums instead of disc. That's what I did and they're fine, lots of stop with not too much effort. I got the booster/master cylinder setup from a guy on ebay, it's a very nice fit. If you want more info (price, contact info etc.) let me know - I'll have to look it up.
 
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Take Ron's advice just add the power brake unit,the discs are a waste of money on these Fords.What a lot of folks don't know is back in the mid 50's these Fords had the shortest stopping distances of all other cars of the same year,it comes down to contact area total on the '54-56 Fords is 173 sq.inches the front shoes are the same as '67-69 Big block Mustangs and the rears are the same as early 70's Ford F-100's.For the sake of comparison a 1996 Ford Taurus (almost the same weight) with radials,discs and power brakes 173 feet 60 to zero,the 1955 Ford as tested in Motor Trend was 183 feet with skinny bias plys and old tech linings and no power brakes,you do the upgrades and you will have some stopping power.
 
I've often said that its very ironic thatwhen I was young and stupid, I drove my 55 customline like I stole it, and somehow it always got stopped without wiping it out. Now that I'm an old fart, drive like an old lady, I put disc brakes on my 56 - power no less. What's wrong with this picture?? :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Paul Selfe said:
Thanks for the HAMB info Ron, that's what I was looking for. I don't want too much drop. Since I will be replacing front bushings this winter, along with a disc brake kit, I may as well put in some new springs. Paul Selfe.
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Since you are working with counter guys who only use computers,the Autozone part number for the Aerostar springs is FCS5850V the drop will be 2 1/2"-3" ,If you look into the HAMB 52-56 social group there are before and after pics and one member has posted pics of the step by step install.For less than $50 you can also pick up polyurethane sway bar links and bushings by Energy Suspension which will improve the handling as will the Aerostar springs.
 
re: sway bar? I think there was also a discussion about a Tbird bar that's a bolt-on replacement on the 56's. I got a used one off ebay (less than $40) from a mid 80s 'Bird and looks like it's going to work without any problems. (NOTE: I also bought new end links & bushings - another $40). That 'bird bar has gotta be at least twice the diameter of the original '56 swaybar. I'm hoping to install it soon, I think it's gonna stiffen up the front end "float" quite a bit, along with new springs and wider tires. Winter-time projects. . .
 
The quality of the brake linning we get now is much different than in the 50's because they cant legally use the same materials, asbestos is bad stuff. My drum brakes worked great in the city. When I applied the brakes at 75, by the time I was down to 40 they had faded to the point where I was really standing on them to continue to slow. The Granada discs dont fade.
For a really good sway bar, call The Thunderbird ranch in Texas. 1-800-722-8697, www.thunderbirdssouthwest.com Look around in the website to see about the local sights. Geat people to do business with.
 
I love this site, you guys are a wealth of information, now I just have to decide which way to go. I'm leaning more toward the ECI disc kit, I really don't want to fool with PB canisters and hoses. Thanks for the help. Paul Selfe.
 
Hey
I agree with you jeff.Have had these fords and Mercurys since 1957 and have been driving them every year since then. NO DISC BRAKES FOR ME EITHER.No power brakes too.Never had a problem stopping or fade.Have had (4) four 54 Merurys and a 1953 Lincoln. Now have a 1955 Mercury Montclair,1955 Crown,1955 Mercury Camper all with manual Drum Brakes.
 
I did the aerostar coils and granada disc swap. Couldnt be happier with either. Always had drums before, you can have em :) No more pedal pumping and slight praying for me. However I am not running a stock motor by any means either. To me its like power windows or electric wipers or many other fun things they invented since the 50's. We can make due without them, but they are all a hands down improvement in my ride. Just depends on what you want.

I also added the heavy sway bar up front from http://www.thunderbirdsouthwest.com and use KYB gas shocks. Great additions!

P.S. if you decide to use a kit, check with Dave at dropnstop too, real nice guy for a complete kit.
 
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I just put a dual master cylinder on my 55 and bought some lowering blocks on E-bay and got the look I was looking for. The dual cylinder works great too. I keep brakes adjusted as much as I can or when I think I'm using too much pedsal to stop a short distance. I guess this is a just "what your comfortable with" thing. To each his own
 
djpink1947 said:
I just put a dual master cylinder on my 55 and bought some lowering blocks on E-bay and got the look I was looking for. The dual cylinder works great too. I keep brakes adjusted as much as I can or when I think I'm using too much pedsal to stop a short distance. I guess this is a just "what your comfortable with" thing. To each his own
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You can change your brakes to make them 'self adjusting' by purchasing hardware for a newer car, and installing it on yours. ;)
 
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