Looking for a mechanical drawing or info on a 1957-59 fullsize ford or mercury front spindle. Basically the diameter of the bearing snout, lenght, etc. Could also be 1957-61 fairlane or 1958-59 Edsel. I have struck out with google. Thanks guys.
Have you looked at the 74 to 78 full size LTD& Lincoln spindles? I put a set on my 63 Galaxie. Thay have the big 11-7/8" rotors and the 5on5 bolt pattern. All I had to do is open up the tie-rod hole in the spindle for the galaxie's tie-rod.
A Lincoln Versilles bolts right on a 57-64, with exception of the tie rod hole needs reamed and lowers it one inch. A Granda spindle is the same as the Versilles, but has a smaller lower ball joint hole and must be reammed to fit the early Fords.
It would be great if someone could make a nice drop spindle for the early Fords, that is Cast or Forged like an original type spindle.
The same drop spindle casting could be used on 64-73 mustang to lower them as well with the smaller lower ball joint hole. The early mustang car cannot be lowered much with out getting close to the suspension bumpers and limiting suspension travel.
The current Fat Man dropped spindle for Fords is made of welded together plate and looks very dangerous. The welds do not look like they have much penatration. I have bought some but am afraid to use them. I continue to use the Granda Style spindles for safety sake.
A 3" drop for the early cars, would end up being a 2" drop for the Mustangs/Fairlanes.
I have many sets of early Ford spindles you can have if you need a set to measure as well. I have done 20+ granada/versilles brake conversions on '57 Fords and often wish I had something lower than the 1".
Pat Fleischman
'69 R code Mach 1, Red Survivor Car
'57 Ford F-code 312/Supercharged
'57 T-Bird 460
Thanks for responding guys. First I am trying to put disc on a 1958 Lincoln. No one makes a kit for this being a un popular car. I want to use the stock drum brake spindle so I don't mess up the suspension geometry and steering. The stock spindle looks unique in shape and strength ( 5,000+ lb. car ). I don't think the granada spindle would be strong enough. I too saw the fat man spindles and did not like the fabbing. Don't want a 2" drop either.There is a kit for 1957-59 fullsize ford that uses the drum spindle, custom fab caliper brackets, new rotors/hoses/bearings/dust shields, rebuilt calipers, etc. I want to try this kit and make my own caliper brackets if I have to. Everything looks like it will work. I need to verify the spindle taper, diameter, length, offset, etc to see if it will work.
My other option is to try and teach my wife how to drive like she grew up in the 1950's. Her and I are under 40 years old.Women are usually so dam hard on front brakes. She has a 2007 mustang convertible for summer, a 1996 Bronco for winter. When she gets in the Lincoln ( my wedding gift to her ) she drives it like a modern car. I scream at her for extra time for acelerating, drum braking, and turning with bias ply tires.
As you can see the above is meant to be funny. Seriously though it is cheaper for me to put disc on for both of us.
Thank you, Chris
I think Dearborn Classics offers a set-up for the 57 fords. You might want to give them a look. Not sure if it will work on your Lincoln or not, but it would be cool to know. You don't see many big Lincoln's of of that year often. Good luck in your endeavor.
