Hey Guys,
I am new to the board and don't currently own a 57 Ford but have a few older friends with them that are not internet savvy and I do help them work on their cars time to time. I am hoping I can get some information and or opinions from the guys here who know these cars well. On to the question at hand.
My buddy owns a 57 Country Squire Station Wagon, he's looking to install coil-overs in the front of the wagon. I told him he should reinforce at a minimum the front control arms where the shocks mount because the control arms are not designed to support the entire weight of the car in that one small area. The springs spread the weight of the car pretty evenly in the spring pocket. I'm concerned the A-arm will eventually just break with all of the weight concentrated in the shock mount area. Really looking for someone who has installed coil-overs and used a stock A-arm and if no one has what is your opinion on mounting coil-overs to a stock A-Arm.
Call Ride Tech, QA1 or one of the other suspension vendors. Some 'kits' have A-arm re-enforcement recommendations.
I can not believe I am going to say this. However, would air-bags be a smarter and easier way to go?
Ride Tech makes a air bag kit. Several years ago, I put one in my Custom.
Quote from: Gene on 2026-06-23 14:55I can not believe I am going to say this. However, would air-bags be a smarter and easier way to go?
They would work on the stock A-arms I suspect since the load would be spread out like a spring does.
The top and bottom of the airbag has attached threaded plates. The kit has a re-enforcement plate to weld into the lower control arm.
And what would be gained by coilovers in place of springs and shocks with otherwise stock components other than problems?
gasman, every time I hear the word weld I think no way. Doesn't matter what it is.
Quote from: thomasso on 2026-06-23 23:53And what would be gained by coilovers in place of springs and shocks with otherwise stock components other than problems?
coil-overs make ride height super easy too adjust. The shock side of the coil overs has 18 adjustments for compression and rebound to get the ride you like.
Hi Don,
Have you installed coil-overs on a 57 yet? I'm very interested and feel the same about the ease of ride height and ride quality. Viking has a huge variety and seems to have a good name. what other input can you offer?
thanks,tony
My buddy has or had a set of custom a-arms that were tube and might been made to work with coil overs.
I wound say the bushing at the rear of both a-arms should be reinforced.
Quote from: DonC on 2026-06-23 07:56I told him he should reinforce at a minimum the front control arms where the shocks mount because the control arms are not designed to support the entire weight of the car in that one small area. The springs spread the weight of the car pretty evenly in the spring pocket. I'm concerned the A-arm will eventually just break with all of the weight concentrated in the shock mount area.
No, you are correct, whether using an OEM or modified OEM lower arm.
The pocket opening should reinforced (IMO) and allowance made for weather drain if heavily street driven.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tubular-Lower-Control-Arm-Coilover-Reinforcement-Plate,343193.html