I have 55 Monterrey with the WW bias ply tires.  I have been driving on surface streets since I bought the car 50 mph and less.  Yesterday I took it out on the highway at 75-80.  It drives nice but shimmies with every bump.  Sometimes it feels like the backend wants to break loose even going straight.  We have some rough roads here so you hit a lot of ripples bumps and grooves.

What are your opinions, is it the bias ply ties that cause the shimmy or suspension issues?  It does not bounce like a bad shock and the shimmy is only for a second when the road is has a groove or bump.

I thought at the time it could be bias ply or just skinny tires, I think they are 710X15

Thanks

Hi Chemist Man,  At least before investing in some new rubber, you should find a good (older and honest) front end man and have the front end checked out.  The car is over 50 years of age and although it has a good front suspension, usually you will find a tired idler arm and possibly a couple of loose tie rod ends.  However the ball joints are very tough so be leery if the shop says you need new ball joints.  Then get a proper alignment before proceeding, or at least set the toe-in before you get new tires.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you to lube the chassis while at it.  Then see how it drives, but I think you'd be wise to invest in some good radials.  The difference in how they go down a highway is considerable and they require a lot less correction.  If you want white walls, the Diamond Backs and the American Classics have been recommended by several people.  Enjoy that beautiful car!  Nick Brann - K.C., MO

7.10x15 would be correct for the car 55 years ago. Unless you have done a complete rebuild of the front end and put new shocks on it, it is probably a combination of everything previously mentioned. Following the low side of the road and bouncing around after hitting a bump was part of the experience of driving an older car 50 years ago. We kind of got used to it like driving on snow pack. Didn't like it, but thats how it was. If the suspension is right with radial tires, it will stay on the road. I have 4 56 Fords and they drive in descending order depending on the suspension from good to bad. But I don't expect them to drive like a year old cars. However, I have driven a lot of 20k mile rent cars that drove worse than my jalopies.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Chemist



Here is a somewhat strange suggestion. My 58 Fairlane was very difficult to keep straight...I needed a wide road..the front end was checked out and I replaced the A arm bushings. When I drove it next, it still shifted around whenever I hit a bump.

I decided to check the back springs..we found out that all the bushings that hold the rear leaf springs were worn out, most were onto the steel. After I got new bushings, the steering and suspension acted perfectly.



Check your rear springs.



Gt

Gordie T           Long Point, Ontario

Very good advice about having the front end looked at.The change from bias to radials will amaze you.There is a fellow I know who bought a gourgous 56 Crown Vic.The front end did need attention as far as bushings and ends which he did.Then he purchased a set of wide whitewall bias ply tires and it still handled as you describe.All over the place especially on rough pavement.He took our advice and spent more money for WW radials and the improvement is amazing.Radials as far as I am concerned are one of the top 5 improvements for cars over the last 50 years or so.As far as finding a GOOD front end guy-I got lucky.I changed my spindles to disc brakes and replaced the lower arm because it was bent when I bought the car.Also redid all control arm bushings.I found a local man who did a tremendous job.Took him about 1 1//2 hours but he got it bang on.Drives nice now and corners great.Cost-$65.00 and worth twice that.The other thing to check as mentioned is any rubber mounts etc on the rear suspension.Good input from several people.Hows the Merc run now with the carb and distributor replaced?

  

Everything is running great with all of the changes.  Updated the distributor and then put in the Pertronix Ignitor III.  That is how I found the handling issue, I was finally confident enough to take a long drive out on the highway instead of sticking around the neighborhood.

Thanks for the advice.  The front tracks well but it is the rear that seems to shimmy with the rough roads.  Thought it could be skinny tires or bias ply.  I am also going to check the spring bushings now.  I want to get some driving in before I store it for the winter.

Have a look at the rear shocks too.