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Thread: Front Suspension- ALMOST as easy as it looks...

  1. #16
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    I thought this was it....it was supposed to be the weekend my front suspension was back on. WRONG! The posts on the ball joints on the new Dorman upper and lower control arms are too big! All the websites for these say they will fit 1960-1965 - WRONG. Was I smart enough to compare them to the old ones before I bolted them onto the car? NO The other ones were in a bin at my storage place. Fortunately, Summit just told me they will take them back (even though I put the grease fitting in etc.). Best I can figure out...I see the upper and lower ball joints for Falcons made BEFORE october 61 sold separately. (and they are expensive.) Average $100 EACH BALL. Then I still need the inner bushings. Ouch! (the Dorman parts were around $40 each for the entire control arm including the ball joint.) Is anyone familiar with this situation for 61 falcons? I've emailed Dorman. Maybe I'll know something in the morning. Meanwhile, I still have the rear spring mount to figure out, but darn I wanted to get this thing back on wheels so we could get the motor our soon.
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  2. #17
    Keep the parts you have and locate newer spindles.
    Nathan and Jen Cooper
    63 Sprint Hardtop "Dollora"
    63 Super deluxe squire wagon "Mayble"
    * this spot is vacant for future project*

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    Update:
    Dorman confirms they won't fit my car. I wish these places would get their website information correct. I can't be the first one this has happened to.

    I did think about just finding another spindle (and still thinking about that)...but so far it seems like the further I stray from the original...the more challenge I have because one thing leads to another.
    I saw some NORS (new original replacement stock) ball joints on ebay last night. They are a third of the price of bran new ones from the usual websites selling these (which who knows how old those "new" ones are anyway....??) Average $80 per PAIR instead of $100 each for new retail. They specifically say they are for falcons my vintage and not newer. Anyone have any experience with these or with NORS parts with any rubber on them? Should I have any concerns about the rubber boots?
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  4. #19
    Don, you must be subconsciously remembering my post about the upper and lower control arms I just replaced after only 3 years of use. The rubber grease boots - all four of them were perished after a short time of action. Those were equivalent to NOS parts.

    The suggestion to get the newer spindles might be worth investigating. I bet someone may have a set laying around. I think only the ball-joint holes were standardized for the 6'r and V8 cars, whereas the tie-rod ends were small of a 6r and larger on a V8 car. So if you can find a set of spindles from a 62-65 the tie-rods should fit, as well as the brake setup.

    Sadly I got rid of 2 sets of spindles from the 2 Ranchero's I bought from Steve. I'm sure the one set I left with him is long gone, as is the one I pulled from the one I drove to my house. But it might be worth looking for them before hacking apart upper and lower control arms to change-out the ball joints.
    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  5. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    I did subconsciously remember something about that...but didn't find it.
    Anyone have a couple of the matching 6cyl spindles from a 62-65 6 cyl lying around?
    fyi, seems like the old ball joints are just bolted on...replaced at one time before I assume. I think a couple of them are already off of the old arms...so no tearing into them. Just the cost of good new joints (bushings, etc,) and to get the old arms blasted and coated.
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  6. #21
    Don, The upper and lower control arms have bushings and other parts that wear beside the ball joint. If you find the new spindles you might consider reusing the metal parts. They'll likely have Ford date stamps on them too.
    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  7. #22
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    Yes, I think I've added all that up-let me know if I missed anything:
    If I use all my old metal suspension parts:

    New pair upper balls 90
    New pair lower balls 250
    Pair top inner bracket and bushing (kit from falcon parts) 35
    Pair lower inner bushings 35
    powdercoat my old metal - ($75-guess)
    Total- 485
    Subtract credit from summit - 160
    Real cost 325
    Spend gift cert for macs...-100
    Cash outlay...225

    If I find a spindle, I have the cost to clean it up and coat it, plus the cost to buy if assuming nobody has one to donate...guessing cost is 150 for that anyway. If nobody shows up with one soon, I'll probably just pull the trigger on the above list...
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  8. #23
    There looks to be a 64/65 left and right 6'r spindle for $60 each on ebay right now. Free shipping on each.

    to find them search: falcon spindle 4-lug

    Dang, should have kept mine. Never thought there would be a need.
    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  9. #24
    Swore I saw someone selling a whole front suspension, steering, and rear end from a 64/65 six cylinder car on Seattle's craigslist for $250 obo but I'll be damned if I can find the ad now. Keep looking for ya.
    Nathan and Jen Cooper
    63 Sprint Hardtop "Dollora"
    63 Super deluxe squire wagon "Mayble"
    * this spot is vacant for future project*

  10. #25
    You might call Jake at Original Falcon Interiors to see if he's got anything kicking around. He's an interior seller, but he's had and has lots of Falcons. He's in the Shilshole marina area.
    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  11. #26
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    Yea...I saw those on ebay. Woosh...I'm a bit leery of spending that much on something I can't check out first and those aren't anywhere near as good of condition as mine are in. I got my parts out of storage tonight. I think I can clean those up at home and powder them myself. Looks like they will fit in my pizza oven...& I'll have a few more parts to be proud of. That brings my actual cash outlay down to 150 for all the other stuff...and those spindles were $120. If nobody pops up with a really good spindle locally in the next day or so I think I'll just pull the trigger and get the new parts to go on my arms....but one question. The bushing at the back of the lower control arm...there's a metal inner tube, then a rubber bushing, then a metal outer tube. Does that metal outer tube just push out of the arm? (penetrating oil and a hydraulic press??)

    Also...sending Jake a note. I need to talk to him about the upholstery anyway.
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  12. #27
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    fyi...thanks for everyone's help on the spindle search. I decided to save the time and not take a chance on another spindle, I'll use my old arms, and my wife has the list of balls and bushings to order tomorrow. If I can get the arms cleaned up this weekend, then hopefully I'm on track to get the car back on wheels next weekend. Meanwhile, if my wife is ordering this stuff for me, at least she isn't ordering clothes or shoes or furniture for anyone else in the family!
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  13. #28
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    So far finding it impossible getting the rear (inside) bushing of the lower control arm removed...and I'm bending up the control arm in the process. Too embarrassed to put a pic of the bent one! Anyone know an easy way to get these things out? So far I've tried a hydraulic press, torch ad players, torch and hydraulic press, and a hack saw! I did get it to budge slightly after using the torch and then they hydraulic press- but I also bent the side of the arm a bit. There has to be an easier way.
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  14. #29
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    Ok, I get the message. I'm "breaking new ground here." So, I just polished it a while, applied more lubricant, more fire, more support, and finally it pressed out.
    Now I just need to figure out how to get the one I bent straight.
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  15. #30
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    All right guys...I'm stuck again.
    I've spent all day trying to get the front coil springs back in.
    It didn't seem THAT difficult to get them out...
    I'm using the outside spring compressors, which worked fine when taking them out, but now it seems like I can't get the springs compressed enough to get them back in without the spring compressors in the way. I even have pictures of how I had them on when I removed the springs. BUT, I also replaced the spring perches with the $29 ones from falconparts.com...and it says these have to be mounted with the end of the spring towards the inside of the car instead of the outside...it seems like that is also adding to the problem because that's the longest part of the spring.
    Does anyone have any advice on this topic?
    Does anyone have a spring compressor like they have in the falcon service manual? (that compresses it from the inside while attached to the spring perch?)
    I found one on ebay...$70. Although it says it's for 64+ mustang...this one says in the fine print that it's also for 61 falcon...
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/64-73-Mustan..._Tools&vxp=mtr
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



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