Thread: Front suspension question for a Bentley

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I finally got my car going again after sitting for a few years. It's a 1946 bentley, rodded out with the original front suspension. Coil springs and lever action shocks. The thing is heavy at 5000 lbs. I'm running a 350 Chevy in it. The lever action shocks are useless and probably need replacement. I've priced out repair on them and it's around $650 more or less (probably more) but still the technology is 60 years old. Without welding in a new front end. I'm looking for some ideas to soften the ride. I don't know anything about airride or shockwave systems or if they'd work for this beast. One of the coil springs was broken when I got the car so I replaced it with a mustang one that a machine shop/auto parts place matched up. Any ideas or help appreciated here. Looking for ideas. Thanks.

Pictures would help, but here are some thoughts. Years ago there were various conversion kits to replace the lever shocks on Fords with tubular hydraulic units. You could possibly make up some mounts for the top and bottom and mount conventional shocks that way. Do the shocks serve any other purpose, such as locating the suspension? If they are strictly shocks I think it would be a relatively simple matter to make regular ones fit.

You can go on http://monroeshocks.com/ and find ones with the correct length and rate once you have the mounts built. Good luck.


Don

Don Meyer has a Rolls Royce sitting on a modified GM frame, you could PM him about it...joe

If the mustang coil spring fits there should be many other options as well.. I did an old Bentley for a guy once but used an aspen system under it. that was an easy way to get disc brakes and power steering. I'd be happy to take a look at it for you since you are in Englewood. Maybe I can come up with some ideas for you..

I'd just rebuild the original shocks and put in a little heavier oil. If they are not leaking just change the oil.

I used a Camaro clip on my 54 Bent. I used a modified El Camino frame under my 66 Silver Shadow which is unibody.

Don Meyer

Thanks for all the input. I've got some good feedback to go on. Daffy, PM me and I'll get my phone number to you. I'm in South Gulf Cove east of Rotonda. Thanks again for all the feedback.