Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

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Plowell
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Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by Plowell »

While pulling apart the leaf springs on my 65, I came across a couple of spacers buried in the axle pads. The top one is in great shape (almost new) while the lower one was pretty rusted. I wasn't quite sure if they were a critical component or just a handy spacer to keep line workers from over cranking the pads on the assembly line.

Image

I started making calls to parts suppliers and was kind of surprised that a few of them didn't know what I was talking about. One did and was very helpful - to the point of going out to the yard and inspecting old leaf springs to see if there was any to be salvaged. No luck but good information.

Also found this post on the 61-63 forum which leads me to believe that those who live with snow and salt on the roads rarely see a spacer that isn't rusted. The spacers fuse themselves to the springs and when the old springs are tossed, the spacers go with them.
http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/p ... php?t=8746

Due diligence required me to call the local Ford dealer to see if there was a replacement part (I know, you're laughing :) Not a totally fruitless call - I got the complete part # C1VV 5A537-A

My new springs came with a set spacers that were short and with a small OD. I'm not sure what others have done in the past to replace this part (there seems to be a few ways to go), but I found a great metal shop and had new ones made to the specs of the one good spacer.

Image

To keep the cost down, I had four extra sets made. I figured others must come across this situation as well.

The short of it is that I'm glad I went to the "trouble" on this small piece. It fits the assembly perfectly and although it may not be a critical component in the leaf spring assembly, I think it's helpful by not over torquing the rubber pads and it's that much closer to stock. :)

The fun continues,
Pete
1965 Convertible / Currently PO Orange / Black Interior
1965 Hardtop / Red, Light Aqua and Rust / Beige, Red, Aqua and Dirt Interior
sleeper bird
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by sleeper bird »

Yea one of mine was corroded as well not that bad but still ate up,i to was wondering how important it was to keep rear end aligned.Mine is a 1966.
tbird
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by tbird »

Part of the intent for these spacers is to keep all the leaves in line and not have them wearing the bolt away as they move.
Jim Mills
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Mrbillyd
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by Mrbillyd »

HEllo PETE,

I sent you an e-mail.
I would like to buy 4 of them for my 65 Lincoln.

-Bill
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paulr
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by paulr »

Jealous of the new avatar, Pete. :cool:
Paul
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"Beer, now there's a temporary solution!" ~Homer Simpson
jtschug
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by jtschug »

My new springs from Detroit Eaton spring came with those already installed
1966 Thunderbird Convertible (Emberglo / White-Emberglo)
Modified 428 - stroked, rollercam, aluminum top end, headers
Livermore, CA
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paulr
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by paulr »

Eaton will include the bushings. Custom spring designers like some truck companies, etc. won’t.
Paul
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sseebart
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by sseebart »

paulr wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2020 2:23 pm Jealous of the new avatar, Pete. :cool:
Pretty sure that's a 6 year old avatar :-)
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paulr
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by paulr »

sseebart wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:20 pm
paulr wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2020 2:23 pm Jealous of the new avatar, Pete. :cool:
Pretty sure that's a 6 year old avatar :-)
:lol: Nah, pretty sure Pete hasn’t posted in over four years. Mostly, he just drops off cars at my place to fix. He used to have a photo of one of his cars for an avatar. This white doughnut is a new mystery—either he’s unaware of it or Photobucket is finally in full dementia.
Paul
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"Beer, now there's a temporary solution!" ~Homer Simpson
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Plowell
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by Plowell »

" Mostly, he just drops off cars at my place to fix. " paulr

Well.... here's a 65 I dropped off at Paul's that seemed to have a starter problem. Just wouldn't turn over.
I dropped by a couple weeks later to check on the progress since I hadn't heard from him.
There must have been some miscommunication along the way.


Just joking. It's the sad end to our parts car. Paul has been quite the friend over the years.
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1965 Convertible / Currently PO Orange / Black Interior
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jtschug
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by jtschug »

I've seen worse bodies that people wanted to "restore" :roll:
1966 Thunderbird Convertible (Emberglo / White-Emberglo)
Modified 428 - stroked, rollercam, aluminum top end, headers
Livermore, CA
RAVEN
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by RAVEN »

Nice that Paul has the room to keep the car. Will give him about 6 months to breathe new life into the tired carcass.
I have seen worse, but cannot remember for a while.
In regards to the Avatar, I think I have seen it for awhile, A tire buoy "a life raft To save a tired body" or, help my sinking ship. Paul, do you feel an anchor around your ankles or neck, in Chicago it's cement overshoes. LOL
CDN Member since 1975 #2086
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paulr
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by paulr »

Plowell wrote: Fri Feb 14, 2020 3:51 pm " Mostly, he just drops off cars at my place to fix. " paulr

Well.... here's a 65 I dropped off at Paul's that seemed to have a starter problem. Just wouldn't turn over.
I dropped by a couple weeks later to check on the progress since I hadn't heard from him.
There must have been some miscommunication along the way.


Just joking. It's the sad end to our parts car. Paul has been quite the friend over the years.
Fun times, huh Pete? Counting us two, that HT donated organs to three forum members’ Tbirds, at least!
Paul
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"Beer, now there's a temporary solution!" ~Homer Simpson
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paulr
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Re: Axle Pad Spacer / Part # 5A537-A

Post by paulr »

RAVEN wrote: Fri Feb 14, 2020 5:14 pm. Paul, do you feel an anchor around your ankles or neck, in Chicago it's cement overshoes. LOL
Wally, the story on that car is much stranger. We rebuilt electrical, steering, brake, carburetor, suspension, fuel system, and some other major issues I can’t remember anymore. Then, for various reasons it was decided to strip and part out the whole car which we did. Pete’s pic shows the flatbed hauling off body with no axle, suspension, drivetrain, interior, nothing! Sometimes plans make themselves!
Paul
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'64 Landau HT
"Beer, now there's a temporary solution!" ~Homer Simpson
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