Houdaille Shock

1932chevy

Member
Picked up a set of houdaille shocks for 6$ a piece and am in the process of freeing them up. I am using MAPP gas to heat up the threads.

Is there a better tool to use to open grab on to the body than channel locks. Should i use a strap wrench?I got this far and gave up until i can order a deep impact socket. I believe a 40mm deep socket will fit the nut the best.


are all the thread right hand?
 

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There are CW and CCW shocks and you do not want to mix parts. Disassemble each shock individually and keep all the parts for each shock in its own container so when you reassemble you keep the correct parts with the correct body.
 
You are going to need a lot more leverage than a pair of channel locks. I use a 36" pipe wrench with a persuader extension and a lot of heat. some guys bury them in the charcoal of a weber grill to get them red hot.


It takes a lot of leverage to break them.
 
1932, without seeing the bottom of that shock. it appears to be a 32 shock. if so they do not work very well on a Model A they are to tall and hit the brake rods.


the Diablo A`s put out a DVD on how to rebuild Model A Shocks. and I will say it is pretty darn good.
 
Here is a photo of the backs. The first shock in this photo doesn’t indicate manufacturer and has no lock ring. Were there multiple manufacturers or maybe this one is a reproduction shock .
 

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Thanks for sharing Tom. Did you make the internal hex using a rotary table and mill? What material did you make it from.
I wish I had a mill, but I had to use a drill bit to rough out a hex, then used a milling bit in my drill press and slowly and carefully milled out the hex. I then put the drill press head at a slight angle to put the taper to the hex. After that hex fit the shock hex perfectly, I then welded the two long handles to the large round center part.
 
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