[65 falcon]

What up guys, I have a 65 falcon station wagon and I wanted to jack up the rear end and get alittle more lift out of the rear. Bought the lift shackles and tried to install them. Ran into a snag, on the right side of the car is the spare tire hub that comes down just far enough to not let me get the stock shakle out. To make things worse the bracket that connects to the frame is bolted and fused to the frame and the bolts rusted and snapped the treaded protion of the frame and just spin freely and not come out.

What can I do to fix this problem? Or is this even fixable with minor repairs? I do not have access to a strong enough welder or frame contact lift.

Thanks folks.

 

[sdbcivic]

your going the wrong way! don't have an answer for ya but couldn't resist....I dropped mine.

 

[FORDBOYpete]

Mr 65 Falcon Wagon,
I'd cut an access hole in side of spare well for repairs with room & angles the
cut out panel would provide. Repairing a spare tire well is no BIG issue. Not like suspension, handling, stopping, traction etc etc etc. it's only "body work".
I slotted structural part of an Aerostar Frame to install a tapped (threaded)
3/8" steel plate to bolt a receiver hitch mounting frame to, rather than bolt it thru the "body steel" sub frame. Falcon is pretty much same construction, just weld up the slot you've cut in the frame if you use a threaded plate like I did. Weld it up very well (I mean a Good weld by "Very well") when finished.
Receiver hitch has pulled 600lbs or more of tongue weight and is still good & solid on there.

FBp

 

[just_ed]

you can even put a rubber plug in its place

 

[65 falcon]

Thanks guys

 

[Ashzo77]

an other thing you could have done was to get wagon springs for it. the car is lighter than the wagon in the back, and it would keep it up. it also stiffens the rear, plus, you've got new springs...

 

[just_ed]

add a leaf

 

[65 falcon]

an other thing you could have done was to get wagon springs for it. the car is lighter than the wagon in the back, and it would keep it up. it also stiffens the rear, plus, you've got new springs...

It is a wagon and the front shakle bolt aren't coming of without a saw, same as the rear shakles. The stock springs have sagged.

 

[65 falcon]

add a leaf

It also has an add a leaf on it. I've thought about adding another one or getting some F-100 springs.

 

[Ashzo77]

It is a wagon and the front shakle bolt aren't coming of without a saw, same as the rear shakles. The stock springs have sagged.

oh, i didn't realize that... how long have they been on the car? PB B'laster and a torch might help some. do you have air tools?

 

[65 falcon]

oh, i didn't realize that... how long have they been on the car? PB B'laster and a torch might help some. do you have air tools?

I can get pb blaster, but don't have a torch, and the impacts breaker bars, none of them did anything more than strip the nut and bolt even more. There stock shakles and springs.

 

[Ashzo77]

i'm just not use to hearing about factory equipment lasting that long around here.

they're welded to the frame then huh?

 

[65 falcon]

By now they have to be welded to the frame.

 

[Ashzo77]

are you switching the springs too?

 

[65 falcon]

I wasn't at first but if I can afford it I will.

 

[Ashzo77]

well, because i was going to suggest to cut the spring through the bolt, take the bolt out, and get another one from hardware store, or the shackles i've seen usually come with new bolts anyways...

 

[65 falcon]

You mean drill the bolt? That could work thanks.

 

[Ashzo77]

yeah. that would work too. i actually meant throught the middle of the bolt, but drilling sounds like a better idea

 

[65 falcon]

Ok thanks

 

[yank with ute]

well, because i was going to suggest to cut the spring through the bolt, take the bolt out, and get another one from hardware store, or the shackles i've seen usually come with new bolts anyways...

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER trust "hardware store grade" bolts for ANY application that needs to carry a load. The bolts from a hardware store are typically ungraded, and if from China, the grading can't be trusted as China makes replicas of bolts, not bolts that meet ASME standards for loading, etc.

You won't install bolts made of the same steel used for coat hangers, right? Typical hardware store bolts lack even that quality.

"If" life was as simple as using "anything that looks like a bolt" then engineering standards are a waste of time and money. Meeting engineering standards is your goal if you wish to risk your life and that of others one the hardware you install in the car's suspension!