Frame and Shock

[40fordpu]

Hey everyone. Came across this problem recently trying to attach the shock link on the rear to the rear axle. It seems that the shock arm and the holes dont line up. When looking at the frame, the location where the "3" pieces of metal match up...dont match up. Also, where the two "rivets" are on the side of the frame, they seem to have been pushed in (maybe from either use or accident???? I dont know).

Has anyone ever seen this or experienced this with their car/truck? This is a 40 frame for a pickup.

Also, is this something i can "fix" at home with some local heat from my hardware store or it this something I should send in to a frame restoration shop. (want to fix it myself if possible - budget)

Thanks everyone

 

[kiwitony]

A bit hard to tell but I think your frame is ok,I think you have the wrong shocks.Some rear shocks have the mounting holes offset to the shock shaft so that when bolted to the chassis the arm is parallel to the chassis.Also the links are different in that some have the bolts on the same side, and some on the opposite sides.I had the same problem years ago on my 37 pickup and I heated and bent the shock arms to make it all work,then found the correct ones at a swap meet.Others will pitch in I,m sure.Cheers Tony.

 

[BILL WZOREK]

Are you having this problem on both sides?

 

[TerryOH]

the 40 rear shocks do have an off-set mounting. It appears you have the wrong shock body

 

[Kube]

You definitely have the incorrect shocks. As "Terry, OH" says, the correct 40 shock has offset holes. Also, the correct body diameter is about 2 7/8". Replacement shocks made for these vehicles
were 3 1/4" diameter.

 

[40fordpu]

I will look into the shock offset...and no I dont seem to have as bad or any problem on the other side...which is odd to me...and thats why i worried about the frame. Was there an offset on the front shock?

 

[kiwitony]

no front shocks mount on the side rail.

 

[40fordpu]

you guys are awesome..checked the rear shocks..there was no offset...so they are wrong...I feel much better that it is not the frame..thanks

 

[40fordpu]

Update...here are the photos of the rear shocks I pulled off the truck...originally thought they were not offset..but they look like they are. Are they still wrong?

 

[Mart]

Could the dimpling of the frame be caused by rust in between the layers of metal causing them to try and separate?

 

[Ken Crans]

I would try to flatten out the frame before you put in the new offset shock. That way you'll get a perfect alignment. Ken

 

[40fordpu]

Did some research through my parts list book. On page 308 there is a chart for rear shocks. 1940 models - all but 09a - use 01A-18080-A and 01A-18081-A. The 09A model uses 01A-18080-B and 01A-18081-B. The question is....how the heck do I determine which one I have? What is the difference between the two? Any ideas? Thanks

 

[jerry grayson]

09A is Mercury, The parts book covers Mercury and Ford. I do not have the parts book in front of me, but I think the arm length is different.