Wess Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Hello, I bought 65 Galaxie LTD late last year and while working on the rear brakes I noticed that the drivers side rear wheel toes inward. What would cause that, and how could I fix it? I need help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Bent axle housing. Either straighten carefully in a press if it isn't bent too much. Or replace it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wess Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 Thank you for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Andrews Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 The axle shaft has been under stress for as long as the housing has been bent, also the axle carrier bearing as well as the outer axle bearing have been under stress too. So you might get lucky if the housing is not bent too bad and can be straightened, the other pieces may be okay once the stress is relieved. Also depends on how original you're wanting to keep the car, or how much you want to drive it. Myself, I'd be looking for an undamaged axle. Good luck. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Get a 4 wheel alignment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 2 hours ago, Wess said: Hello, I bought 65 Galaxie LTD late last year and while working on the rear brakes I noticed that the drivers side rear wheel toes inward. What would cause that, and how could I fix it? I need help. Are you sure one wheel is toed in but the other isn't toed out? You probably know this car has a solid rear axle. It's pretty difficult (but not impossible) to bend the axle housing in that direction in normal use. Yes, a pretty hard accident would do it, but there would be other evidence of that. It's far more likely that the entire housing is misaligned relative to the car. Check for proper location of the housing on the leaf springs, possible broken spring leaf, work or damaged spring bushings, or damage to the leaf spring anchor points on the underside. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted sweet Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 rear on his car isnt adjustable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob staehle Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Spring center bolt could be broken. Easy fix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Pretty sure a 1965 Galaxy is coil springs and locating arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 18 hours ago, Wess said: Thank you for your help. Can you clarify which way it's toeing (1 or 2) in order to make sure the answer you need is correct for each situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 2 hours ago, 1912Staver said: Pretty sure a 1965 Galaxy is coil springs and locating arms. OK, you've now exceeded my knowledge of Fords. 😁 Thanks for the correction. In that case, definitely look at bad control arm bushings or damaged control arms. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 5 minutes ago, 30DodgePanel said: Can you clarify which way it's toeing (1 or 2) in order to make sure the answer you need is correct for each situation? Your drawing unfortunately doesn't specify which way is forward. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wess Posted February 23 Author Share Posted February 23 My wheel looks more like drawing number 1. The wheel is not leaning, it looks as if it is steering to the right, but on the rear. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob staehle Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 4 hours ago, 1912Staver said: Pretty sure a 1965 Galaxy is coil springs and locating arms. I thought about that right after I hit the reply button, guess I should have thought 60s not 50s and earlier. My bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 22 minutes ago, Wess said: My wheel looks more like drawing number 1. The wheel is not leaning, it looks as if it is steering to the right, but on the rear. Have you driven it at all since fixing the brakes to see if it is showing any symptoms or if you are hearing any noises? Bushings can create many symptoms that should help you determine what it is before you spend time on money on things it's not. Noises and symptoms like: clunks or rattling, poor handling or pulls to one side, noticeable tire wear, metal grinding, squeaking and vibrations are also possible if the arm bushings are bad. Definitely look for any rear damage to the control arm area that may help pinpoint other possible things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 I am sure many of us older folks can remember seeing a car “ doglegging” it down the road with rear wheels following a different track from the fronts. We were taught when looking at a car we might want to buy to drive it through a puddle and then stop and look at the tracks. If the tracks didn’t align a bent frame or suspension was a good probability. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted sweet Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 something is bent 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 On 2/22/2024 at 6:22 PM, Wess said: Hello, I bought 65 Galaxie LTD late last year and while working on the rear brakes I noticed that the drivers side rear wheel toes inward. What would cause that, and how could I fix it? I need help. Wes, I am not a Ford guy buy any means. and I am not saying this is your cars problem but be aware, a good friend of mine bought the same model car about 30 years ago, it was a one owner garage kept gem The frame was rotted near the lower control arms, when he looked into it he found out it was a common problem on those year Fords. He repaired it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 You might have a 4 wheel alignment done, front end probably needs it anyway. They will tell you exactly how far out the rear wheels are, if any, and why. As others have said, it could be worn suspension bushings, something bent, or rusted frame or control arm. On the other hand, it could be nothing. You get some odd angles working under a car and sometimes things look off or bent when they are not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 Those model Ford full sized cars had a torque box frame. Check to see one of the boxes isn't rusted or damaged. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Remember: The rear wheels steer the car, as in make the path the vehicle proceeds in. The front wheels correct for going around corners, or straight down the road! Once I understood that, understanding the rest of wheel alignment was easy.😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wess Posted March 27 Author Share Posted March 27 It turns out that my frame had a hack job of a repair at some point and trailing arm mount is welded in to the torque box 1-1/2 inches too far forward on the drivers side. It turns out that most of the frame is crap. I guess I have a parts car as it is probably not worth a frame swap. Too bad because it is a pretty good looking car. Thanks everyone for their input previously. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 Wow, that is a real shame that the frame is damaged beyond repair. Nice looking car. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 Too bad about the frame. For some reason these cars are often very rusty in the rear section of the frame. I am not sure if it is the design that is at fault or perhaps the type of steel that was used. Both Ford and GM have this problem , mid 1960's . But it seems more common on these full size Fords. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 13 hours ago, Wess said: It turns out that my frame had a hack job of a repair at some point and trailing arm mount is welded in to the torque box 1-1/2 inches too far forward on the drivers side. It turns out that most of the frame is crap. I guess I have a parts car as it is probably not worth a frame swap. Too bad because it is a pretty good looking car. Thanks everyone for their input previously. I would encourage you not to give up on your '65 LTD. There are still many good solid perimeter-frame '60's Ford parts cars to be found in the west and southwest salvage yards. Since a solid frame is what you need, locate one, have it shipped to you. While a frame swap is not a small undertaking, once the front clip is removed and your body mounts unbolted, the body is lifted completely off the rust-damaged frame. This provided open access to transfer your powertrain and ancillary parts. When that is complete the body is lowered onto the replacement frame, bolted down, front clip installed, and details buttoned up. It's a process but one that step-by-step is logical and can be accomplished with planning. Good luck saving your '65 LTD. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69merc Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 13 hours ago, Wess said: Too bad because it is a pretty good looking car. Seems too nice to give up on...😟 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 There are a number of ZooTube videos talking about frame swaps on these cars. Suffice to say that such an undertaking isn't for the faint of heart. The other problem is finding a good frame. Of course, with that much frame rust, one has to wonder what's under that new paint. And let's be honest here, more-door cars won't have the same value as two-doors, so any such effort will rapidly be underwater. The moral of this is if you aren't capable of inspecting for this sort of damage, pay someone who is before cash changes hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Thoreson Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 Nice car. I would look for a shop that does frame straightening and get their opinion. If you were to loosen all the body mount bolts and disconnect the front clip you may be able to tilt the body by jacking the rear off the frame a bit to give some working room to cut out the bad part and weld in a new section. Not a job for someone not qualified. Time for a trip to the junk yard to find an undamaged frame for a section. A good shop can fix it, align it and make it right. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 They weren't much of a frame to begin with so repairing it by a good frame shop might end up in the $1,000-2,000 range. The really good thing about having a job like that farmed out is avoiding the "while I am in there" syndrome. Big plus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 1 hour ago, joe_padavano said: There are a number of ZooTube videos talking about frame swaps on these cars. Suffice to say that such an undertaking isn't for the faint of heart. The other problem is finding a good frame. Of course, with that much frame rust, one has to wonder what's under that new paint. And let's be honest here, more-door cars won't have the same value as two-doors, so any such effort will rapidly be underwater. The moral of this is if you aren't capable of inspecting for this sort of damage, pay someone who is before cash changes hands. I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 (edited) 2 hours ago, 58L-Y8 said: I would encourage you not to give up on your '65 LTD. There are still many good solid perimeter-frame '60's Ford parts cars to be found in the west and southwest salvage yards. Since a solid frame is what you need, locate one, have it shipped to you. While a frame swap is not a small undertaking, once the front clip is removed and your body mounts unbolted, the body is lifted completely off the rust-damaged frame. This provided open access to transfer your powertrain and ancillary parts. When that is complete the body is lowered onto the replacement frame, bolted down, front clip installed, and details buttoned up. It's a process but one that step-by-step is logical and can be accomplished with planning. Good luck saving your '65 LTD. I was trying to get a frame shipped a month or so ago. Actually a frame plus a bunch of parts packaged up inside, but a LOT smaller { like 1/2 the footprint } and no heavier than one from one of these full sized Fords. A very small sports car chassis. New York State to Washington State. All the quotes were $3500 +. More than the frame and parts were going to cost. The shipping cost made the whole deal uneconomical by a good margin. Edited March 27 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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