Do All A's Have Shocks

oldmanandakid

oldmanandakid

Senior Member
We are just finishing a running gear rebuild and there were no shocks when we started and there are none now. Did we miss something? Were the cars (30 Std Coupe) sold with shocks or was that an after market item?
 
Only a few Model-As manufactured in the beginning of production came sans shocks. Your car however would have been manufactured with shock absorbers.
 
Roadster62 said:
Has anyone driven the same Model A WITH and WITHOUT shocks, was there a differance in the ride? Bob
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Bob, lots of variables depending on roads traveled on, speeds, and the condition of the shocks. I am a fan of the new Bill Stipe shocks and in touring secondary roads around here, there is a noticible difference in control.
 
Just crawled out from under the car and I understand the attachment. Now the real question; what is the best repo shock and who sells it? Or, are re-built originals that will not break the bank available? Don't think I want the modern shocks and sure don't want to be drilling holes in my axle.
 
Bill Stipe makes the only good reprodiction shocks (not cheap but have been told they are worth the money). Several people restore the original shocks ( Again not cheap as only about 1 out of every 8 shocks sre rebuildable) and I will not comment one over the other, but will say stay away from M&S Hydraulics. The shocks most Model A parts vendors sell are pure junk. I do beleive afew vendors are now selling Bill Stipes shocks, but I am not sure which ones. Rod
 
I got a set of restored shocks from Mikes a fordable years ago, the roadster had none. Massive all around difference, was like a completely different car.......
 
I have M & S Hydraulics on my huckster and they seem to be doing the job. But I am new at this sort of thing so I may not know a good set vs a better one. The huckster has a heaver body because of the solid oak. So it kind of needed something. I did notice a difference after I put the shocks on the huckster. I drive on secondary roads and found that with the shocks the rig went around corners much better. Just my $.02 worth.
 
Just after I put the engine back in I went for a ride, the shocks were off because I was redoing them and setting them on a fixture ----without shocks it was a scary ride at 40, with shocks it is a joy to drive at 60 ---original shocks, 4 picked out of 25 taken apart.
 
Yes, shocks make a BIG difference. There are a lot of bumps in the roads here and without shocks the Model A continues to bounce after going over a bump. Not very impressive in a parade!

I would stay away from M & S Hydraulics (Oregon). I had them rebuild a set a few years ago, and all 4 leaked. This year I had Robert Paul (719-478-5102) (Colorado) rebuild a set and they do not leak, and so far I am very satisfied with them.
 
Roadster62 said:
Has anyone driven the same Model A WITH and WITHOUT shocks, was there a differance in the ride? Bob
Click to expand...

Prior to my installing rebuilt original shocks, the car floated like a baby carriage and bounced like a go kart.
Following installation of shocks it performed like a proper car.
 
Dad bought four reproduction shocks but we never did install them. They have been on the shelf shelf for 35+ years now, wonder if they would still be good? Bob
Bruce Adams said:
Prior to my installing rebuilt original shocks, the car floated like a baby carriage and bounced like a go kart.
Following installation of shocks it performed like a proper car.
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My 30 CCPU had no shocks until I had them installed this summer. When I hit a bump, chuck hole, or, as is very common here in NY, sunken manhole covers, especially on a curve or while making a turn, the truck would "hop" an inch or two sideways. I had new original style shocks installed - no more hop and much smoother going down the road.
 
We did a shock review before Bill Stipe started making shocks. We have his on the Roadster Pickup. Of course we have hardly driven it so don't really have any testing done. We have Robert Paul shocks on a couple of cars, no leaks and they work well.
 
Chewbacca said:
My 30 CCPU had no shocks until I had them installed this summer. When I hit a bump, chuck hole, or, as is very common here in NY, sunken manhole covers, especially on a curve or while making a turn, the truck would "hop" an inch or two sideways. I had new original style shocks installed - no more hop and much smoother going down the road.
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This is how my shockless '28 Coupe behaves...

I am saving-up for Bill Stipe repros...

SC Frank
 
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