Steering: steering improvements for 1965 commander

[bill matwijec]

First of all I must say thanks to everyone who has answered my previous posts. I finished the floors and finally took my car for a very enjoyable ride . I would like to improve the ride but don't plan to go crazy with it. I am in no way a mechanic but can fix things if told what is wrong and i realize my limitations. I plan to replace the shocks and put on new tires. The car now has 205-65-15 radial tires . Are they too wide ? tall? Would a narrower tire work better with my non power steering car? Is there any other simple additions to help the ride of my car? I believe I need new rear spring and plan to have them checked. IF I want to do a front end alignment will a alignment shop know how to or do I have to find one that specializes in old cars? Thanks again

[studebakerkid]

If you can find a good allignment shop you will have no problems but how worn out are your suspension parts. Those rubber bushings just do not last long. I rebuild my 65 and the 54 using OEM parts twenty and thirty years ago and they need rebuilding again......Delrin is the best way to go and will greatly improve the handling and you can get the kit from vendor and with some patience install it yourself if you have some basic tools and a shop manual.

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

A good grease job will do wonders. It made a world of difference on my car.
Make sure you get grease to the TOP of the thrust bearing [that spacer looking thing] above the steering knuckle.
The old grease sometimes solidifies and won't let new grease in.
A jackstand under the lower control arm to take weight off the knuckle, sometimes a little heat on the bearing from a propane torch.
Some even replace the gasket near the lower support of the kingpin with a 1 1/4" plumbing drain seal. It helps hold the grease and helps force it up through the bearing.
I was lucky to find an alignment guy who knew what he was doing, but he sold and now I have no idea where I would take my 55.
The new guys either don't want to be bothered, or are clueless to old cars and don't want to deal with them. Their business, their decision.
55 is the same basic front end as your 65.
Check the lube in your steering box.

[Studebakercenteroforegon]

What? The original rubber inner A-frame bushings only lasted 30 years! Sounds like they will still be around after I'm gone!

[studebakerkid]

Just cause the bushings are still there does not meant that they are not shot.