Another rear shock question

Dyna

Dyna

Member
I have a 1948 Merc 114. When I purchased the car the previous owner had replaced the original shocks with tube shocks. The front ones are fine but the rear ones are a problem. The rear bottoms out when I drive over any small bump. The upper end of the shockis mounted to a bracket on the side of the frame, the lower end is mounted to the end of the axle tube just above the spring shackle. I need to lower the lower mount in order to give the shock enough travel to avoid hitting the frame. My plan is to attach the lower end of the shock to the lower bolt of the spring shackle and gain about four inches of travel for the shock. My question is: if I raise the rear end and take the weight of the car off the spring will I be able to take out the lower shackle bolt without any energy being released from the spring and avoid a catastrophe. Any ideas appreciated. The shocks I have are new, oil filled. Greg
 
I don't think the stock size shackel bolt will handle the shock load. However, a larger bolt with a modified shackel might do the trick. For bes ride quality a 70/30 shock should be used.
 
The old after market kits used a lower bracket that bolted to the rear two bolts of the four that hold the brake backing plate and radius rod. The upper bracket bolted to the frame. Ford started putting "aircraft shocks" on in that time frame and they had forged brackets that bolted to those same rear two bolts of the backing plate. I don't know if they did the same on Mercury cars but there were several after market manufacturers that did. Ford Canada may have taken a few more years to use the tube shocks. Ford USA started in late 1946 or 47.
 
This picture shows a currently-available rear shock bracket that is very similar to one originally used on 1948 FORDS. This bracket is available from an advertiser that posts here on FordBarn (click the link for their contact and more pics). The name is PURE HOTRODS. This may be what you're looking for. DD

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95627



114855
 
The shocks on the car are new. They were replaced when I had the diff.rebuilt last month. They are Monroe 32135 Compressed - 8.125 Extended 12.125 Travel 4.00 I don't think I will find an automotive shock any shorter? Greg
 
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