Front Fenders Hit the Shocks?

Old Newbie

Old Newbie

Member
It's always another problem isn't it? Today I tried to mount the front fenders on my '31 Coupe. They line up nicely with the running boards, the splash aprons, the front fender brackets and the mounting holes on the frame; BUT they are riding on the front shocks. So much so that the hood latches are above the tie downs on the hood and there's too much pressure on the fenders. This can't be right. I have three sets of front fenders and all three sets fit the same. At least two sets are original, so it's not a repop issue. Anyone have any ideas? Can I add a spacer behind the shocks to move them out a little? I need about three quarters of an inch to be happy with the fit. Thanks to all for your ideas. Hoping someone has experienced this and has the solution.
 
Yes, they are original round shocks. Can’t spell the right word. Can’t take photos now ‘cause I’m out of the state. The comment about being upside down is intriguing. I didn’t mount them, they were already on the chassis but I’ll check that first thing on my return. Never thought to check that. Thanks to all so far.
 
if it makes a a difference there are a right front and left rear set also a left front and right rear set could be mixed up
 
.
This is my car there really close

If these are the shocks you have on it you may need very thick webbing material on the frame to lift the fenders
 

Attachments

  • 0AC007DF-655B-434A-897A-2BF2676BA8FF.jpg
    0AC007DF-655B-434A-897A-2BF2676BA8FF.jpg
    26.8 KB · Views: 148
  • DB51F67A-79B9-42B6-9B4E-C5A88E9F787A.jpeg
    DB51F67A-79B9-42B6-9B4E-C5A88E9F787A.jpeg
    90.3 KB · Views: 144
something tell me the shocks might assembled wrong. and mounted upside down. the bolt pattern is off set.
 
I don't think the shock itself lends itself to problematic assembly procedures but a person needs to observe right and left insallations in correct placement on the frame. There should not be any metal of the shock body above the top frame rail. A right front shock also fits the left rear and so on.
 
I can’t help with your situation, but I have front two fenders with the spare tire wells - I want to replace them with straight on fenders (no wells).
Do you have two good front fenders for my 1928 Sport Coupe, that you may want to sell or make a trade for my two good fenders ? dlfrisch@gmail.com
 
I won’t be back home until Monday, then I’ll take photos. They are mounted right side up. I can tell that from the above photo. They definitely reach above the frame though. I thought of just shimming up the fenders, but that doesn’t solve the hood latch issues and I’m afraid it would stress the fenders too much. Is there a way to tell if they are original. I measured them against an old rusty set of originals and they seem the same.
 
Dlfrish, these are 31 fenders. I do have one ‘28 passenger side front fender but I wouldn’t call it good. It’s rusty with a small tear in the front bead. Probably not worth the shipping expense.
 
As we awaiting pictures of the car and shocks a Question:

Are the shocks rebuild? and if so maybe incorrect put back together as JW Hash
indicated maybe oil filler hole on the wrong side. I guess we will know on Monday.
 
Last edited:
Ford used Who-Die shocks for many years so there could be different shocks on the vehicle. Many of the later shocks after 1932 have different mounting hole configurations. There were also aftermarket replacements back in the day that weren't made by Houdaille. Then there are the friction type aftermarket shocks. There are different arms for all the different shocks as well.

A photo or digital image of the installation should help clear things up.
 
Gentlemen, Thanks for all the replies so far. I am attaching the promised photos, one showing the driver's side fender attached and sitting on the shock, one showing the passenger side shock as positioned minus the fender. It's difficult to read the yardstick in the photo but the top of the shock is sitting about three quarters of an inch above the top frame rail. If it helps, I did notice that the fill plug on both sides is on the front top of each shock. Thanks again for your help!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0031.jpg
    IMG_0031.jpg
    53.9 KB · Views: 133
  • IMG_0034.jpg
    IMG_0034.jpg
    46.6 KB · Views: 118
^^^^^I am going to say that they have been rebuilt and assembled wrong. In other words the fill hole should have been indexed 180 Degrees from where it is. Were they ever hooked up and have you ever had the fenders on before now? They would work in their current state without fenders but will need corrected before attaching the fenders.
 
Your going to have trouble mounting the fenders even when you get the shocks
corrected. You need to get rid of the hex head bolts on the front cross member
and at least use flat head bolts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top