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By Danny - 8 Years Ago
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I didn't know which forum to put this issue on and feel somewhat embarrassed to ask this question. The car came with 15 inch wire wheels on which I installed diamond black wide whitewall 205 x 70 x 15 inch tires. Installed new kyb shocks front and rear on my 1956 Crown Victoria. Prior to installing the new shocks, I was able to remove the rear tires with no problem. After bodywork was done on car, I decided to remove each wheel for a thorough cleaning - body work dust covered everything. Front tires were no problem. When I attempted to remove the rear tires they will not clear the rear fender well where the fender skirts sit and the brake drum. Yes the fender skirts are off. I assume the new stiffer shocks will not allow the tire to drop low enough to clear the fender well. I even tried to deflate the tire some to get it to clear but even that didn't work, so I reinstalled them and cleaned them on the car. So what happens when I get a flat tire? Anybody else had this problem and if so, how did you resolve it? Hopefully in time the shock will loosen up and this issue will go away.
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By MoonShadow - 8 Years Ago
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Not uncommon problem when wheels, tires and shocks are changed from stock. My car is lowered so this really became a problem. One solution was to remove the bottom bolt on the shock before jacking the car up. Once they separate there is enough room to get the wheel and tire off. Flipping those pesky rear shackles is also an option but for younger folks. Somewhere on this site, I think in the stuff that works area, are part numbers for front shocks to fit a Ford pickup. These shocks will fit on the rear of the car and are a longer bodied shock than the stock. Ride is unaffected and even with 3" lowering blocks I can still get the wheels off. Hopefully a search will turn up those part numbers. Update, it looks like the shocks are 1978 F250 4wd installed on the rear. Oldcarmark made some posts about it 6 years ago.
front shocks.
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By oldcarmark - 8 Years Ago
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You can also Purchase Shock Extenders that screw onto the End of Shock Stud at the Bottom They are threaded internally to Screw onto Shock and Externally to Thread the Nuts back on. I used the Ford Pickup Shocks on the Back of Mine because I was replacing Shocks anyway. Light sanding and spray Black Rustoleum and nobody can tell the Difference. If I can find the Shock # or Application I will post it. The Gabriel Ultra Shock # is G63398. These were for the Front of a 1979 Ford Pickup 2 Wheel Drive but fit fine on the Rear of 55-56 Ford Passenger Car. Most of the Ones Listed as direct replacement for 55-56 Ford are too short extended to allow the Wheels to be removed.
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By paul2748 - 8 Years Ago
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.This has always been a problem with 52-56 sedans. There is barely enough room to remove the stock tires, must less a wider tire. Add n the fact that the replacement shocks may have shorter travel and we (I have a 54) have the problem. Carry a couple of jacks and tools to disconnect the shock is probably the only answer other than modifying the wheel well. Oldcarmark looks like he has the answer
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By MoonShadow - 8 Years Ago
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My Vicky is dropped 3" and the F250 shocks cured that problem.
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By Kahuna - 8 Years Ago
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Hi Moon
hat year F250 for the shocks/
Thanks
Jim
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By oldcarmark - 8 Years Ago
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quote]Kahuna (11/15/2017)
Hi Moon hat year F250 for the shocks/ Thanks Jim
They are used on 79 Ford 2 Wheel Drive Trucks. Gabriel # is G63398. You should be able to cross reference that # to other Manufacturers Part #. There's a Set of those listed on Ebay if You want to see what they look like. 4 Wheel Drive Truck Shocks are different Mounting and won't work for 55-56 Ford rear.
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By 62bigwindow - 8 Years Ago
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Moonshadow, what tire size and wheel width/backspace are you running?
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By MoonShadow - 8 Years Ago
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I'm not running real big tires at this time. The wheels are MOPAR 8" wide with about a 3" offset. Next spring I hope to get some measurements and go up to as large a drag radial as I can fit. I'd like to get 10" under there but?
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By Gene Purser - 8 Years Ago
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62bigwindow (11/16/2017)
Moonshadow, what tire size and wheel width/backspace are you running?
The previous owner put P255x55R15 tires (10" wide) on 8" rims on the back of my car. The axle is a 8" Ford that measures 1/2" wider than stock. I can't get my finger between the springs and tires and have about 3/8" on the fender lip. The inner tires rub the body on drive way entrances. My advice is "Don't do it". The tires aren't real obvious tucked under the car and really hard to tell that they are that wide.
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By MoonShadow - 8 Years Ago
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I occasionally take a pass at the drag strip, like the Y-Block Nationals so I want to be able to run some slicks but only easy on and off so I will spend some time measuring.
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By PF Arcand - 8 Years Ago
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It's apparent that some shock replacement listings for the rear of 55-56 Fords are a bit to short.. I also ran into the same issue with my 57 Fairlane 500, even with stock size tires. However, I was able to install a couple of spare curved shock washers on the upper side at the bottom & just get enough clearance to get buy.
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By 62bigwindow - 8 Years Ago
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I'm currently running KYB shocks on all 4 corners. I have aerostars on the front and 2"blocks in the back. I put shock extensions on the rear and in a hard bump the shock will bottom out. The F250 shocks sound like a viable option.
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By oldcarmark - 8 Years Ago
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.62bigwindow (11/16/2017)
I'm currently running KYB shocks on all 4 corners. I have aerostars on the front and 2"blocks in the back. I put shock extensions on the rear and in a hard bump the shock will bottom out. The F250 shocks sound like a viable option.
I have 2" Drop Blocks on the back of mine to level it with Granada Spindles. The Truck Shocks work fine.
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By charliemccraney - 8 Years Ago
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Many shock vendors have catalogs which indicate dimensions. It can be tedious but it is worth looking through to find a shock that will extend and compress sufficiently. It's best to get something from a similar vehicle.
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By junkyardjeff - 8 Years Ago
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Before I put the correct shocks on my 55 I had to let the air out to remove and install the rear tires,I have 235/75/15s in mine,its tight now but they can be removed and installed aired up.
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By paul2748 - 8 Years Ago
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What are the "correct" shocks that you used?
junkyardjeff (11/18/2017)
Before I put the correct shocks on my 55 I had to let the air out to remove and install the rear tires,I have 235/75/15s in mine,its tight now but they can be removed and installed aired up.
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By tomfiii - 8 Years Ago
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I suspect different travel in new shocks.
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By junkyardjeff - 8 Years Ago
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eepaul2748 (11/18/2017)
What are the "correct" shocks that you used? junkyardjeff (11/18/2017)
Before I put the correct shocks on my 55 I had to let the air out to remove and install the rear tires,I have 235/75/15s in mine,its tight now but they can be removed and installed aired up. The set of shocks I had on were what some rod shop sold as replacements that I think were for a newer car,when they wore out I ordered some from O Reillys that were for a 55 and had no problem with removing the tires since. The ones were too short and would not let the rear end come down far enough to get the tire out.
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