Model A Shock Absorbers

Ers 26T said:
I placed my name on a list for shocks from Stipes a few weeks ago. They told me they are taking orders right now and will make a new run of shocks in about three months.
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I got mine in the last run, Dec 2014. You WILL be happy with them. They were almost too pretty to paint and install on my Town Sedan... :eek: They have been on ~ one year now, no problems.

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I stand corrected. I just checked and could find no evidence of dog bone links in 31. So I guess they were 32 onward. So stay with tubular links on you model A.
 
Robert Paul did a set of 4 for me, and I was very satisfied with them.

I did have a hard time with the tubular links. Finally I used a valve guide tool to press the brass cup down, and compress the spring a little, to get the upper ball in. Worked slick.
 
I was told when the Stipe shocks first came out that they will take the original covers correct for your year. I don't know if the parts are interchangeable with the others sold.
 
While I believe that Bill Stipe produces, what are probably the best shocks for a model A anywhere. They are "Scratch built" meaning that he reproduces entirely of new materials, they are not rebuilt. But like many things, they are costly.Correct me if I'm wrong about this, but I believe a set of Stipe Shocks runs about $1000. Then the is Robert Paul, who does from all reports, a first class job of rebuilding them, at a pretty affordable cost.
However. You may opt for modern tube shocks. They were on my coupe when I got it and needed replacing. The tube shock was no longer made, So I started improvising. After much looking in AP stores, I came up with Monroe Gasmatic #59017 for about twenty bucks. This is 'double eye" shock, meaning that there is an "Eye" at both ends to secure it to the frame and axle. I made the attachment for the axle/brake backing plate myself. I just made a hole in the frame to attach the upper part. The coupe does ride a little stiff, but it corners well. I figure it will be even better in the Town Sedan. Go to my profile and in my album, "My A" you'll find the pictures. Hope this helps!
Terry
 
My 31' Tudors was like yours SHOCK LESS! I am very happy with my stipe shocks... I choose the original style shocks links to keep my car as historically accurate as I can.
 
Some vendors advertise orig. style repops with adjustable needle and fillable outer chamber; others appear to have non- adjustable needles with dry outer chamber (accepts no oil). Is there any preference?
 
rip94611 said:
Some vendors advertise orig. style repops with adjustable needle and fillable outer chamber; others appear to have non- adjustable needles with dry outer chamber (accepts no oil). Is there any preference?
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Yes, buy the ones that can be refilled.
 
Was thinking about Model A Ford shock absorbers last night. Now that's something really new to me as though owning a few Model A Ford cars over the decades, I've had less than no interest in the subject. The cars owned either had missing shocks, unconnected shocks or later type replacements. Remember over the years seeing many articles related to Model A Ford houdunnit hydraulic shock system. Then there were workshops on rebuilding these shock absorbers along with discussion groups. And there are dedicated people who rebuild them as a profession. Saw on eBay that there is an entire hardbound book dedicated to the Model A ford shock absorbers. Must be an interesting subject.

What stirred this ember of interest in something otherwise ignored until last night when I happened to glance under the front fender of the 31' Ford out in the garage. Gee . . . look at those shock absorbers! . . Or at least I think that's what they are? The devices appear so clean and mechanical looking with shiny fittings and linkage arm things connecting here n' there. Don't know much, but it is obvious that somebody before me did some serious restoration work to the chassis and drive-train of that Model A Ford.

So the basic question is . . . how can a person tell if those old can style shock absorbers are actually functioning. Just curious.

Took pictures which I will try to post later . . .
 
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Capt Quahog said:
Was thinking about Model A Ford shock absorbers last night. Now that's something really new to me as though owning a few Model A Ford cars over the decades, I've had less than no interest in the subject. The cars owned either had missing shocks, unconnected shocks or later type replacements. Remember over the years seeing many articles related to Model A Ford houdunnit hydraulic shock system. Then there were workshops on rebuilding these shock absorbers along with discussion groups. And there are dedicated people who rebuild them as a profession. Saw on eBay that there is an entire hardbound book dedicated to the Model A ford shock absorbers. Must be an interesting subject.

What stirred this ember of interest in something otherwise ignored happened last night when I happened to glance under the front fender of the 31' Ford out in the garage. Gee . . . look at those shock absorbers! . . Or at least I think that's what they are? The devices appear so clean and mechanical looking with shiny fittings and linkage arm things connecting here n' there. Don't know much, but it is obvious that somebody before me did some serious restoration work to the chassis and drive-train of that Model A Ford.

So the basic question is . . . how can a person tell if those old can style shock absorbers are actually functioning. Just curious.

Took pictures which I will try to post later . . .
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Prob the easiest and crudest way is to remove the shock link and check for resistance in both directions of travel, moving the shock arm by hand. You wouldn't want any kind of skipping or looseness ...
 
Thank you Mitch for the info.

Here are a couple of pictures of the shock absorber mechanisms that are located on my 31' Tudor sedan. Does this setup look kosher? Would seem as if somebody went to a lot of work to refurbish this stuff sometime in the past. Sure looks to be an overly complicated situation just to accomplish shock absorption. There are a couple of more similar rigs on the rear frame. As mentioned, this is the first Model A Ford that I've owned having to be what appears, in my uneducated observation, a set of correct shock absorbers .

After looking at these photos, perhaps I'll have some small size prints made to carry around in my wallet to show people.




 
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Bratton's is having the shocks made now. Just installed some on our roadster, the write up will be in the next Model A Times. They look great and fit perfect.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Yes, buy the ones that can be refilled.
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I called both Brattons and Snyders.

I also emailed Stipe and they have not yet scheduled a production run...

The Bratton's unit have a dry outer chamber and are apparently not really rebuildable.

The Snyder unit has a wet chamber and Tom told me they are fully rebuildable.

The Bratton's version is prettier with all the stamped identification marks and the Snyder's version has a plain cover.

Basically the same price either way.

I went with the Snyder's version because they are rebuildable and got the complete set including arms, links and bolts.

They fit just fine and they work great.....only 100 miles or so to date...

The left picture is of a Snyder shock next to an original cover...

And no, the old cover will not fit the new shock.....according to Tom Snyder...
 

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