Hey there. So I have a '56 Special Estate Wagon and I need some guidance on what to tackle and in what order. First I need to say it has about 4.5inch wide Coker Bias-ply tires on it, which I think I need to change for radials. Secondly, this car is all original and I would like to try to keep it that way, so no modern components. When driving I have to do all I can to keep her straight on the road. Also when driving, out of nowhere, the car will jump to the left or right. Of course when hitting bumps or dips she darts all over. And just wandering when driving. I'm trying to figure out what the issue(s) are to fix this. I jacked up the front end, I grabbed the top of each front tire and there's a lot of up/down movement, so I ordered a new kingpin set. I also ordered new shocks. The other bushings look good and nothing else feels loose with the suspension. There are new connecters and bushings on the front sway bar. The steering components under the car are not loose either and there is not a lot of play in the steering wheel (meaning when turning the steering wheel there's almost immediate movement in the front tires) So I'm thinking replace the Kingpins, install new shocks and move to radial tires then see how she behaves after that. I wanted to know if there is something else I should be looking at? Or a different way the check components or tackle this issue? Thanks, Joe
hey Joe. i would love to see some pictures of the 56. i am trying to buy a 55 wagon . love to compare the two of them and share some info. starting with those 3 things you mention will have a big difference on the ride johnny
The only way to check for wear in any of the pins and bushing in the suspension is to take the load off by removing the springs --- you might consider that when replacing the king pins. Then get a good alignment done (bring your service manual to the shop): camber, caster and toe-in. Some shops will only do toe-in. If toed-out it will be very hard to handle and even the front brakes will pull to the side. Even the best bias-ply tire will grab grooves and ridges and can be a handful until you get used to it...usually with minimal or no input it will correct itself (gotta roll with the punches). You have to drive these cars rather than just ride.
So with limited budget. I replaced the kingpins, wheel bearings, and put new shocks on and that helped a bit. The rest of the bushings looked in really good shape. I still have to get new tires. I took her out and she still wants to wonder the road excessively and if I hit a groove in the road she still wants to dart, unfortunately usually into oncoming traffic. My '55 is nowhere near as bad. I'm thinking the steering gearbox is shot or the pitman arm.
Swap the front tires from your 55 to see if it is the tires. If the 55 has radials, swap all 4 tires.
I will be able to do the tire swap this weekend. After my initial drive I tightened up the castle nuts on the hubs and replaced the cotter pins and it is much better, I can finally drive a bit with one arm!!
