Steering on our 1953 Dragon

[Geoff Hacker]

Hi Gang...

The Dragon we bought is a great car and in nice shape.  You can check out photos on the link below:

https://goo.gl/photos/g2ijFpEnDT7UccUY9

But....like any car in the 50s the steering - even if perfect - leaves much to be desired.  I'll be replacing the shocks too.  But...has anyone considered or have experience installing a beefier front anti-sway bar?  Something that replaces the current one?  I can also consider changing the coil springs which may make sense given they are 50+ years old.  Eaton Spring in Detroit may be a good source but some of you may have other choices.

I want to drive the wheels off (metaphorically) of our new Dragon and want to reduce the looseness and sway of the drive as much as possible.

Thanks for any help you can lend...

Geoff

[dpledger]

I just rebuilt my 53 Manhattan-replaced springs all around, all suspension elements, shocks, sway bar insulators, etc, so should be back to original specs. New tires, and wheels correctly aligned. One complaint is a bit of steering wander. All steering elements are in spec, and I have concluded that the defect is vintage. As our drivers are a BMW and Audi of recent vintage, I expect it is the contrast that is causing the wandering feeling. I'm not sure that you could do much about this without completely replacing the suspension with a modern one, and of course such a kit is not available. Sway isn't a problem with mine-you might replace the insulators if there is looseness there.

When replacing front springs, be aware that the driver's side spring is speced a bit stiffer than the other, to compensate for the added weight of the battery, starter, generator, steering box, etc. Not sure new replacements always take that into account

[Geoff Hacker]

Thanks dpledger.  Were the new front springs you acquired something that can be purchased "new" or "new old stock Kaiser?"  I've not replaced coil springs on cars before.  With old leaf springs, we've just had old one's re-arced or replaced.  If you have a part number for front springs you purchased that would greatly assist.

Thanks for the advice - greatly appreciated....

Geoff

[Fid]

My '51 Special steered hard when we got it. We ended up jacking it up and heating the steering knuckles, king  pin area etc.  with a torch till the old grease melted and ran out. We then lubed it with new grease and doing all of that made a huge difference.

[dpledger]

I got NOS springs from Rudy Phillips-not sure if he still has any in stock. The part number in the books is  208368, with no differentiation for one being stiffer. Seems they were marked with paint the color of which indicated relative stiffness. When I got the pair I rigged up a device involving another car and jack , and did determine that one was stiffer, so put that one on drivers side. Seems nicely balanced now. Seems I saw some lore once that indicated it was an inexact science, where one got a pair that were a bit different and determined which was the stronger.

Not sure how much impact not doing this would have, but seemed better to get it right. I concur that old grease in fittings does mess up handling, which is why I opted to replace them all. It is important to get the wheels balanced correctly and the toe in, caster, and camber right. These can really mess up handling if not done correctly.

[Geoff Hacker]

Thanks again dpledger.  I also heard from another Kaiser enthusiast that there was a cross-reference index identifying Pontiac springs from the same era as compatible.  I think we'll replace a part and test and at each juncture see how the car handles.  Much appreciated.  Geoff