Ok, I'm ready to pull the front end off of my '55. Which is the preferred method? Pull the entire front end off as one section and then break it down, or, break it down while it's on the truck? And, how about reassembly? Piece it together on the truck or build it off the truck and attach it when it's complete. Thanks, from a newbie.

 

If you're in a hurry and you have some help to lift it I'd take it off as a unit. If you're going to break it down anyway and you are working alone I'd break it down on the truck. I broke mine down on the truck and put it back together that way because I like doing things the hard way...

 

I agree with Vern on if you don't have help to take it off piece by piece. I would rather take it off as one piece. That way you will be able to manipulate the clip into a position that make getting at bolts easier. If you have the clip flipped upside down you won't have to crawl under the fender to get to the rusty bolts.

As for putting it back together, I do it piece by piece, leaving most of the bolt loose. They way as your mounting parts you can adjust panels and their seems. If you bolt it altogether if might not fit properly and you'll have to loosen bolts to make things fit.

 

I broke mine down I think it was easier.

 

one suggestion...

if your metal lines up closely... drill some 1/8" holes thru mating panels (where they don't show) then when you're ready to reassemble you can use the holes with Cleco's or even 10 penny nails as alignment tools... makes it a little easier to get good alignment... just a thought

later
John

 

Thank you all. Since I'm working on it by myself most of the time I think I'll take your advice and break it down piece by piece while it's on the truck. I'm in no big rush so I'll be able to take my time. Thanks,
Ray

 

I tried breaking mine down piece by piece and got tired of rust flakes and tight spaces and laying on the ground.I decided to remove the front cap after reading a thread on here,once I got the bolts holding the front cap on loose (20 minutes but the running boards were free when I got it) I grabbed my 16 year old and it took us less than half a minute to get the whole front cap off.Then it took me two days to get the cap apart.Not one of the nuts/bolts came free when I took the front cap apart,they were all broken off,cut off or grinded off.My opinion it was much easier to look down while standing up to work on the nuts and bolts holding the front cap together.Just my $.02

-Shawn

 

I think I'm going to have the same experience with rust and such. What little I've done has already required grinding, cutting and using a big hammer! I might have to rethink my position on this one. Thanks Shawn for sharing your experience. By the way, how did you reassemble yours? The same way you took it off?

 

RNelson, I also started with the front end on my 56. I supported the frame rails on jackstands and took it apart one part at a time. I was also working alone, and with no help around it seemed way more feasible. Take pictures of everything before you remove it for reassembly help. When you get down to the axle and leaf springs remove them both together. The axle with both leaf springs will be heavy, but movable on your own. The reason I suggest this is that the leaf spring u-bolts/ nuts that attach them to the axle will require alot of torque and WD-40 to remove with a long breaker bar. You definately don't want to put that kind of torque on the front end when its on jack stands and less stable. If you have a torch or cutting wheel to remove the nuts then go ahead and remove them if possible. I have pictures in my gallery of my front end work. The brake shoe pictures were taken prior to figuring out that I had them reversed, and I have swapped them around properly since. I spent alot of time getting good advice and researching parts and info when I did this, so if you have any questions send me a private message because most of the details are still fresh in my mind. Good luck!

Mike

 

Thanks Mike. I will take you up on your generous offer to email you with questions. I'm excited about getting this old girl apart so I can get busy. It's my first total restoration so it should be exciting...and expensive!
Ray

 

I haven't reassembled it,just took it apart a couple weeks ago.

-Shawn

 

I put about 1500.00 into the front end all together including new rims and tires. I replaced alot though and got the down and forward springs from mid fifty that cost about 700 with the u-bolts, pins, and all the hardware. If you go with the original springs that are in the truck that would save alot of money. I just got the tires mounted on the rims today.

Mike

 

Thanks. Down and forward springs? I'm assuming these springs move the wheels to center of fender. Do they also drop the front end? If so, how much of a drop? That sounds like a great way to go.
Ray

 

Microb, Does the missus know you had your tires on the couch?? They sure look nice though.
Rnelson, when taking the bolts out that hold the fenders onto the inner fenders I found it best to just tighten them some more until they broke off. There is no sense trying to keep them and new ones are redly available, makes for a lot less stress on you to do it this way.
Don

 

Excellent suggestion. I'll try it tomorrow cause I'm so tired of soaking those rusted old bolts in Liquid Wrench and then laboring to get them off anyway. Thanks