1957 Ford Fairlane Rear Shocks

[JimNolan]

For years I've been telling everyone that a 1956 Ford Fairlane Rear Shock would allow the bigger sized tires to be changed easily. With these shocks the top of the tire is below the fender lip when car is jacked up. Last Sunday, we took a couple out to eat after Church. They were average size people and I had a full tank of gas. The shocks bottomed out if I hit a large bump. I have had luggage, tents, dogs and everything else in the car on trips and never had the 56 shocks bottom out before. In essence the 56 shock takes about 1 1/2" of travel from the top of the shock and adds it to the bottom so it will let the tire down farther. Since I haven't had this problem before I'll leave the car alone and keep the 56 shocks. But, I thought you should know since the top rear shock mount on a 57 Fairlane is the weakest part of the car as far as I'm concerned.

[RICH MUISE]

Good to know, thanks for the update/heads up. I've never had any bottoming with mine. I do have the 6 leaf Ranchero springs in mine, which would make a difference. What is your spring setup?
Also the fact that almost all of the added weight of a Fairlane compared to a Custom is in the back. That alone would be like adding several average size people. I guess what I'm saying is this setup may be an almost non existent issue for the Customs.

[JimNolan]

Good to know, thanks for the update/heads up. I've never had any bottoming with mine. I do have the 6 leaf Ranchero springs in mine, which would make a difference. What is your spring setup?
Also the fact that almost all of the added weight of a Fairlane compared to a Custom is in the back. That alone would be like adding several average size people. I guess what I'm saying is this setup may be an almost non existent issue for the Customs.

You may be right. I have 5 leaf springs. I've got a new set of Monroe Coil over springs (58539) that I may put on this winter if I decide not to change tires and wheels again. If someone has run these shocks let me know how you liked them.

[Jeff Norwell]

I don't run a 56 shock... but I will agree with Jim about the weakest point on a 57 Ford rear suspension is the mounting points of rear shocks through the rear upper point of the floor/trunk area.
I have often thought about a simple long plate (1/8 or 1/4) welded on the inside of the body,wheel housing to wheel housing for greater added strength.

[terry_208]

...I will agree with Jim about the weakest point on a 57 Ford rear suspension is the mounting points of rear shocks through the rear upper point of the floor/trunk area.
I have often thought about a simple long plate (1/8 or 1/4) welded on the inside of the body,wheel housing to wheel housing for greater added strength.

I don't understand your statement as the upper mount point is welded to the frame crossmember at the top of the arc over the rear end. Is this where you are thinking of welding the plate, on the crossmember, frame rail to frame rail, incorporating the mount points?

[Jeff Norwell]

Sorry... this is what i meant.... gave the wrong meaning.

[Jeff Norwell]

I don't understand your statement as the upper mount point is welded to the frame crossmember at the top of the arc over the rear end. Is this where you are thinking of welding the plate, on the crossmember, frame rail to frame rail, incorporating the mount points?

Yes Terry... sorry.

[RICH MUISE]

See what happens when you do posts at 3 am

[Jeff Norwell]

.........yea......

[JimNolan]

Concerning rear shock top mounting bracket welded on cross frame. The 57 Ford is the only car that I've seen a replacement aftermarket clamp type mounting bracket sold. The cross member I think is strong enough but the bracket itself is flimsy and will not stand the pounding of a shock that bottoms out. The drivers side on my car was broken off and a clamp type bracket was used. So far I haven't had problems with my car but I've never ran air shocks or spring assist shocks on my car either. My quest to find a shock with a 10.75" collapsed / 20.75" extended length shock with stem mounts have been futile.

[terry_208]

I'm having trouble posting today. I've tried to post on here twice and another thread twice also.  I'll try again, sorry if I have two similar posts.   

I have trouble getting my point made regardless of the time of day!  I asked because I thought that perhaps some of the '57's were made differently.

I had a retractable that had a left side upper shock mount that was broken, a couple minutes with a welder reattached it.  My current custom had an aftermarket left side mount installed when I bought it.  I made another mount from 3/16" and installed it before having the frame powder coated. 

[59meteor]

The station wagon/Ranchero/Sedan Delivery used a similar crossmember, but with the 2 bolt tie bar mount on each side for the upper shock mounts. Ford likely thought the more  rugged nature of these models needed a sturdier shock mount. I had a factory upper shock mount tear off of the crossmember on my old 57  Custom, I am sure the "overload" shocks with coil springs on them didn`t help. I would imagine air shocks would be even more destructive. Back in the 70s, the upper shock mounts ripped out of the floor pan on my 70 Mustang fastback, I am sure the fact that I had to keep my air shocks pumped up pretty high was a major factor. But, when you didn`t want your new L60-15 "Road Huggers", on aluminum slot 15x8" wheels to get cut up by the wheelwells, you had to take serious measures!

[lalessi1]

I didn't realize I was playing Russian Roulette, I am running '56 air shocks!!!

[Jeff Norwell]

I agree Jim.. and now these cars are 60+ years old,with the abuse they may or may have not seen.....the welds on some 57 frames are not "Job 1"...
Now saying that,... I am not suggesting you have to run out and make supports for the upper shock mounts... but if your at that point of working on your car....body off or on.... it would be simple to strengthen that area.Ford never intended these cars to be around now.

[troublemaker427]

One of my rear shock mounts has broken off over time.  It now has what appears to be a clamp on repair mount using what looks like exhaust clamps.  I've seen these type of kits advertised before.