Topic: Rear air shocks

[65springtime]

My 65 coupe came with air shocks on the rear. My question is: Should I keep them or replace them with regular shocks? My trunk floor is solid but have heard air shocks can come through the floor. I know I will need to replace the 45 year old leaf springs at some time. Just not sure about the air shocks.

[66GTKFB]

Air shocks were a cheap quick way to raise the rear part of the car, note cheap. I've seen pictures of the results of air shocks and yes the tops did come thru the body. I will admit that rust was a major factor in a few cases, so remove the air shocks. Your options are limited to either gas filled or oil filled. Oil filled shocks are still available, JC Whitney is one source, and your car was designed to operate on oil filled. If you choose gas filled, get the low pressure types and replace all four. To replace the rear springs, you need to include the shackles, especially the rubber bushings, and the rear springs' front bolt. You hit the nail on the head, 45 years - of rust.
Jim 

[Soaring]

You probably notice the rear end sagging.  That's because those old rear leaf springs have lost most of their tension.  If you want to retain the original look, then get the standard eye 4 leaf springs.  Get ready to have to cut the front bolts off to get the old springs out.  (The bolts are rusted to the spring's eye)  I used a sawzall, but it was a lot of work and I went through several blades.  My DeWalt was begging me to quit before they finally came out.  Other guys have used anything from cutting torches to cutting wheels. 
I suppose there are several quality shocks out there but I put on KYB's. At any rate, get those damn air shocks off there. 

[65springtime]

Thanks, I think I will get them out of there. Will be getting new shocks and leaf springs

[jethat]

One of the first things I did to my Mach I was take the air shocks off. I run KYB's. I've replaced the springs and I had to cut the front bolts off to. Used a sawsall blade I got at home depot called the torch, diamond studded cost about $30 but it worked great. While your at it back there you'll wanta clean up the rear underside of the car and thats another project in itself. I spent several weeks actually months ended up replacing the rear end convering to rear disc and everything.

[65springtime]

OK, thanks guys.

[sandman357]

Hi,
I strongly reccommend going with Eaton Detroit Spring for your leaf springs.  Buy directly from them, not a reseller.
They are more expensive, but if you tell them what rim/tire set up you are running and what ride height you desire they will give you the exact spring you need. 
Go to their site and post your question on their forum and one of their reps will answer it.
http://www.eatonsprings.com/index.html

One more thing to keep in mind, the Mustang was designed to have the rear end look a little lower than the front.  So if you replace your springs with original spec ones regardless of who you purchase from it will still look like the rear is sagging a bit.  That was the look at that time.  The car was supposed to look like it was launching from the starting line even standing still.

Take your time and research the different eye placements and rates of springs.  Even if you do not go with Eaton springs, I would still pick their brains a bit before you buy.

Good luck!

[65springtime]

Thank's, I will check them out.

[66GTKFB]

I think that Eaton Springs was an original spring supplier for Ford so they have the knowledge. Most car component manufacturers sell thru distributors then to retailers. They are in the business of manufacuring and not retail sales. Eton will make you a set of springs but you will pay a premium. National Parts Depot is an authorized retailer and their prices reflect volume sales.
I think that you will find Ford designed the Mustang to sit level, eg, the rocker panel was parallel to the ground with 5 gallons of gas in the tank and nobody inside. When there were people inside, a full tank of gas and a trunk full of stuff, it would sag, but the people inside didn't see it.
Jim

[Soaring]

Yep it's design was to make the rocker panel level.  Where some guys are fooled is by the way the rear quarter panel is cut.   See how the quarter is cut from the roof to the bumper? That's where you get that launching look.  My 65 ls damn near how it came off the assemly line as far as leveling is concerned.   

[65springtime]

  So from the back of the front tire to the front of the rear tire the car should be the same height? You said you installed the four leaf springs. Seems like that would have raised the rear of the car more that the OE three leaf springs would? I want my Mustang to be the same as it was from the factory. Same stance. Yes, the rear air shocks are going to go. It seems to also make the car ride rougher back there.

[66GTKFB]

Take another look at your springs and count the leafs. I think you will find there are four. The short one at the center is sometimes overlooked.
Jim

[Soaring]

Yes, your mustang should be level.  There is no such thing as a 3 leaf spring. 

[65springtime]

 I thought the OE springs were three leaf springs. My bad  Thanks

[65springtime]

Hey Glen,
  Since our cars are the same color and all, why don't we just trade cars and I would not have to go throught all this trouble and you would have more to play with? Sounds good to me. Wait, I just remembered. That is a big part of the fun so guess I will just play with mine. Sorry, I did not mean to get you all excited.   

[Soaring]

Ol' Yeller has been a part of my life for many years now.  'nuf said? 

[65springtime]

Well, since Ol' Yeller is part of the family I guess you better keep the family together. Anyway, since I am retired, I have all the time I need to play with my Ol' Yeller. By the way, I also really appreciate all the help I am getting on here.  Mustang guys are just great. Thanks

[sandman357]

Good info here.  Soaring is right the car should be level.  The sagging look is a bit of an illusion.  It is just that a lot of guys are disappointed after they go through the effort of replacing springs when the car still looks like it is sagging..... not realizing that is correct. 

I went with a bit of a modified look for my 68 coupe.  The rear tires are 245/60R15 on 15x8 rims.  That is pushing the limits of what will fit without modification.  I ended up going with a stiff spring and had Eaton add 1.5 inches of arch to them. 

Obviously I am an Eaton fan, but there are other quality choices out there.  If you are interested, here is an article about Eaton that appeared in Mustang Monthly a few months ago.  It is basically a free add for them, but it does have some interesting info.
http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/mump_1004_ford_mustang_eaton_detroit_springs/index.html

You are right, this is the fun part.  My car has been "done" for about a year and I am starting to get on my wife's nerves because I am not in the garage as much as I used to be.  The time is almost right to get her to let me pick up another project car:)

Have fun!

[Joe AZ 2 PA]

Never was a fan of air shocks on any car. I also went with 4 KYB's on my 66 fastback but I'm a fan of the rear sitting higher than the front. I'm running 195-60 14 in the front and 295-50 15 in the rear. I took the car to a spring shop, I'm older than you guys and spring shops were common in coal country, and had the springs replaced with the addition of a stiffer leaf to make for a more solid ride. . . . . 

[65springtime]

I'm older than you guys and spring shops were common in coal country, and had the springs replaced with the addition of a stiffer leaf to make for a more solid ride. . . . . 

You are older? Your age shows up as N/A. Glen (Soaring) and I are both 67 so are you still older?