Hello All. So i have a 56 ford fairlane victoria. It has power steering and front disc brakes. I am not sure if the disc brakes are original or not. (the car was so hacked when i got it, it's hard to tell). So the power steering rack looks really bad (i know its original). It leeks really bad and just looks worn out. Now i know these are rebuildable, but it is really expensive. So i was thinking about changing it all out to something a little newer. I dont think i want to use mustang 2 because they have been priced out of my price range. plus i think they are a little on the small side. But what something out of a bigger car like a T-bird or something. What would you guy's recamend using??? i have also herd of using ford van parts. I want to keep it ford also.
Do some research on here. You already have IFS and ball joints etc, so why go through all the work? M2 and subframes are for solid front ends or king pin fronts etc where adapting power ammeneties or better brakes are hard. That said, the Granada power unit has been adapted to the earlier Fords, 54-56. You dont have rack and pinion, you have a steering box but a power ***ist cylinder. Kinda looks like a rack, but it isnt. I would say honestly if you have a tight steering box just rebuild it. I did a bunch of work on a 56 w/ a nice working steering ram, and it was a pleasure to drive. Plus you already have disc brakes.
That is good to know about the 56 not really being a "rack". But i would say its in pretty bad shape the way it is. when the column was in, it had major play in the wheel. And the steering ram leeks like a siv. So how hard would it be to use the power rack from a Granada. I have done a ton of research on here and all over the net. there just is not a lot of info on these cars with any sort of conversion. And how can i tell what the disc brakes came off of. Looks like factory spindle and A-arms for sure.
the Disc brakes and spindles are Probably 70's Granada, they bolt right up, and work *****in, I've done the swap a couple times myself. The ford part number should be cast into the spindles, that'll give you a clue to the exact year. Also I agree with what others have said, don't clip it. The original suspension works great, also lots of parts available, including air bags, dropped spindles etc, for it. As for the power steering, I'd just eliminate it, and rebuild the stock box. Manual steering on these car is not too bad at all. My two cents. Drew
I've got a '56 Customline Vicky and it has no power steering and it steers just fine and I've got a little wider tires on it than what came on it .. With that big ole steering wheel ya have a ton of leverage .. lol !!
The Jalopy Journal
