CTCI – Technical Article Index

Ball bearing idler arm

• Author: Lester Stevenson
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1964
• Page: 4

Noisy rocker arms

• Author: Editor
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1964
• Page: 2

Power steering shimmy

• Author: Kelly Jewell
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1964
• Page: 4

Front-end shimmy

• Author: Hugh Harris
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1965
• Page: 2

High quality grease

• Author: Harry Zapolski
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1965
• Page: 7

Suspension modifications

• Author: Harry Zapolski
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1965
• Page: 5

Chassis restoration

• Author: Jim Schmidt
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1965
• Page: 6

Plating & chassis assembly

• Author: Jim Schmidt
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1966
• Page: 8

Improving handling

• Author: Gino Pasquini
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1966
• Page: 4

Replacement of springs

• Author: Jim Schmidt
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1967
• Page: 4

Adding power steering

• Author: Jim Schmidt
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1967
• Page: 8

Shimmy repair

• Author: Jim Schmidt
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1967
• Page: 8

Improving ride

• Author: Jim Schmidt
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1967
• Page: 9

Stabilizer bar conversion

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1968
• Page: 12

Frame flexing

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1968
• Page: 2

Idler arm repair

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1968
• Page: 2

Power steering conversion from car

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1968
• Page: 2

Vibrations in front end

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1968
• Page: 2

Increasing strength of suspension

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1968
• Page: 6

Front end replacement

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1968
• Page: 5

1955 power steering on a 1957

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1969
• Page: 10

Bottoming suspension

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1969
• Page: 13

Re-arching rear springs

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1969
• Page: 13

Correct model Koni shocks to use

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1970
• Page: 9

Spring anti-squeak pads available

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1970
• Page: 9

Springs and shocks for a 1957

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1970
• Page: 20

1955, 1956, 1957 power steering units interchange

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1971
• Page: 3

Bad feel in the steering

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1971
• Page: 21

New power steering bushings help shaking

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1972
• Page: 28

6-leaf rear spring on 1956

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1972
• Page: 15

Serial number location on frame

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1972
• Page: 32

Coil spring shim for left spring

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1972
• Page: 12

Steering wander – check idler arm

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1972
• Page: 19

Correct paint for frame and under fenders

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1972
• Page: 18

Correct idler arm for Thunderbird

• Author: (no author listed)
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1973
• Page: 18

Chassis detailing

• Author: W.C. Butts
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1973
• Page: 7

Correct power steering hose numbers

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1973
• Page: 16

Power steering valve and cylinder interchangeable

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1973
• Page: 16

Left turn only shimmy 1956

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1973
• Page: 12

Rear spring clamps

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1974
• Page: 15

Rear springs and clamps

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1974
• Page: 15

Fuel lines

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1974
• Page: 22

Steering sector & worm

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1974
• Page: 22

Power steering valve, pump position 1956

• Author: Paul Hudgins
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1974
• Page: 19

Front springs interchangeable

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1975
• Page: 10

Hard steering 1955

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1975
• Page: 28

Serial numbers

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1975
• Page: 29

Ball joint

• Author: Ted Otcasek
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1975
• Page: 21

Steering gear

• Author: Ted Otcasek
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1975
• Page: 21

Power steering & power brakes

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1976
• Page: 25

Power steering control valve 1955

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1976
• Page: 27

Power steering control valve 1955

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1976
• Page: 32

Paint, auto frame

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1976
• Page: 33

Power steering correction

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1976
• Page: 42

Sway bar

• Author: Wilson Irvine
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1976
• Page: 22

New springs 1955

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1977
• Page: 30

Frame steel welded to 1956

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1977
• Page: 40

Extra metal on 1956 frames

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1977
• Page: 28

Another ball joint remover

• Author: Doug Thrasher
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1978
• Page: 15

Ball joint remover

• Author: Doug Thrasher
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1978
• Page: 15

Hard steering 1955

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1978
• Page: 32

Serial number on vehicle frame

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1978
• Page: 32

Body shimming

• Author: George Barlow
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1978
• Page: 18

Steering gear failure 1955

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1978
• Page: 32

Serial number on frame 1955

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1978
• Page: 38

Authenticity – finishes undercarriage & rear axle

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1979
• Page: 10

Finishes undercarriage & rear axle

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1979
• Page: 10

Finishes, undercarriage, fuel system

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1979
• Page: 10

Chassis replacement

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1979
• Page: 23

Authenticity – Finishes undercarriage & suspension

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1979
• Page: 10

Authenticity – Rear spring clamp finish

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1979
• Page: 11

Ball joint replacement

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1979
• Page: 29

Power steering control valve seals

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1979
• Page: 31

Shimmy during turn

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1979
• Page: 25

Front spring replacement

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1979
• Page: 37

Rear spring replacement

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1979
• Page: 14

Replacement shocks

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1980
• Page: 25

1955 frame measurements

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1980
• Page: 23

Frame restoration

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1980
• Page: 28

Frame alignment

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1980
• Page: 30

Tie rod ends for 1955

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1980
• Page: 30

Replacing 1956 frame with 1955

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1980
• Page: 18

Body height fixes

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1981
• Page: 21

Shock absorber supplier

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1981
• Page: 27

Car not level left to right

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1981
• Page: 31

Re-arching leaf springs

• Author: James Lewis
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1982
• Page: 10

Re-arching leaf springs

• Author: Roger Hayes
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1982
• Page: 15

Checking front end looseness

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1983
• Page: 17

Power steering cylinders

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1984
• Page: 20

Handling stability of a 1955 T’Bird

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1984
• Page: 20

Frame markings

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1984
• Page: 25

Replacing seal in steering box

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1985
• Page: 38

Outside front dimensions for the 1955 frame

• Author: Dan Deane
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1985
• Page: 22

Authenticity – Steering gear

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1985
• Page: 34

Replacing idler arm seals & bushings

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1985
• Page: 29

Authenticity – Similarity of 1955 & 1956 items

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1986
• Page: 15

Alignment diagnosis guide & adjustment manual

• Author: Bill Brown
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:1986
• Page: 30

Power steering system

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1987
• Page: 39

Front alignment

• Author: Fred Artus
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:1988
• Page: 38

Serial number stamps on 1955 frame

• Author: Lois Eminger
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1988
• Page: 25

Steering hops and jiggles in left turns

• Author: Barry Thomas
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1988
• Page: 38

Reverse shackles

• Author: Greg Garmer
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1995
• Page: 45

Shock absorbers removed from D.O.T. hazardous material list

• Author: Old Cars
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:1996
• Page: 44

Air shocks

• Author: Serviss
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1998
• Page: 50

Authenticity – original black paint – gloss or satin

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:1999
• Page: 52

Authenticity – getting ready for the regional

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:1999
• Page: 55

Springs measurement

• Author: Pete Shields
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1999
• Page: 49

Rear shocks

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:1999
• Page: 51

Authenticity – inner and outer tie rods

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:2000
• Page: 47

The shocking truth – air shock

• Author: Pete Shields
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:2000
• Page: 53

Stock shocks

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:2000
• Page: 44

Winter car storage tips

• Author: Old Cars
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:2001
• Page: 44

Authenticity – fasteners and finishes

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:2001
• Page: 48

Wiring and springs

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:2001
• Page: 37

Loose Steering Remedies

• Author: Pete Shields
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:2002
• Page: 41

1957 T-Bird Rear Springs

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:2002
• Page: 50

Authenticity – 1956 Frame Welds

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:2002
• Page: 48

1955 vs 1957 Tie Rods

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:2003
• Page: 42

Chassis Reinforcement Plate

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:2003
• Page: 42

Left Front Spring Spacer

• Author: Dave Tulowitzky
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:2003
• Page: 47

Taking the Body off the Frame

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:2004
• Page: 46

1956 Thunderbird Frame Reinforcement

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:2004
• Page: 37

Left Front Spring Spacer

• Author: Jay Raine
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:2004
• Page: 38

1957 Rear Leaf Springs

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:2004
• Page: 53

Alignment Plate

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:2004
• Page: 42

Rubber Mounting Bushings

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:2006
• Page: 41

Tech Tip 10 Reason For Skirt Rub

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: May/Jun
• Year:2006
• Page: 24

My 55 Issues

• Author: Dick Stern
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:2006
• Page: 47

56 ‘Bird Front End Heigh

• Author: Jim Dinunzio
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:2007
• Page: 18

1955 Thunderbird Field Modifications

• Author: John M. Smith
• Issue: Nov/Dec
• Year:2008
• Page: 18

1957 Thunderbird Rear Shocks

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Mar/Apr
• Year:2009
• Page: 52

1955 T-Bird OD Cable

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:2009
• Page: 52

Sagging Springs

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:2010
• Page: 52

1957 T-Bird Body Mounts

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:2010
• Page: 64

57 T’Bird body mounts

• Author: Gil Baumgartner
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:2010
• Page: 64

T-Bird suspension changes for handling improvement

• Author: Multiple Authors
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:2011
• Page: 16

Shimmy

• Author: Don Hyde
• Issue: Jul/Aug
• Year:2012
• Page: 26

Wheel shimmy

• Author: Mitch Reed
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:2012
• Page: 48

Assembly Tips when mating the Body and Frame

• Author: Gerald Snyder
• Issue: Jan/Feb
• Year:2013
• Page: 57

56 Leaf Spring Specifications and Advise

• Author: Jesse Raine
• Issue: Sep/Oct
• Year:2013
• Page: 57