modern shocks

[German guy]

My 30 A came with modern shocks and I want to stick with them. The shocks are VERY stiff and abusive on bad roads. railroad tracks, etc. I want to replace them over this winter's down-time. I do not drive aggressively or do hard cornering. Any suggestions on make/model for a softer ride?

 

[Hotrodfil]

https://rotoshim.com/

 

[updraught]

I believe the VW bug shocks fit, and especially the Koni ones work well.
Koni made a name for themselves with the Special D shocks on old classic type sports cars.
These usually have very little, to no, compression resistance, and adjustable rebound up to very hard.
On cars with heavy springs, they allow the springs to compress on a bump, and control the rebound, (or letting go) of the spring, to stop that jarring, and give you that Rolls Royce ride. when properly tuned.
Leaf springs have quite a bit of resistance built in, with friction between the leaves, unlike coil springs, and so shouldn't need much compression damping.

 

[Werner]

Hallo,
I bought the four ones from Stipes. They work as they should. They can be adjusted precisely.

 

[Werner]

(...)
Leaf springs have quite a bit of resistance built in, with friction between the leaves, unlike coil springs, and so shouldn't need much compression damping.

Thefore, the blades are treated with, for example, graphite/MoS2 grease. To protect them from dirt, I then additionally wrapped them with a grease bandage and then in thin, water-repellent shoe leather.

 

[motordr]

I’m looking to buy a set of Stipe Shocks, anyone have a set they would sell?

 

[Y-Blockhead]

https://rotoshim.com/

You mention Rotoshim shocks. Is there a waiting list for them or something?
I have never seen them in stock since they were first mentioned on Ford Barn. https://rotoshim.com/store/ols/products/rotoshim-handed-pair-excluding-bolts-and-arms-ford-model-a

 

[Hotrodfil]

They’re available and in stock in the UK. Not sure about dealers in the US.

 

[nkaminar]

Just take the shocks off to result in a nice smooth ride.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

I have had Stipe Shocks and Spring Gaiters on my '30 Town Seadn now for ~11 years now, still working great. I coated my leafs with Slip-Plate.

 

[Phil Brown]

These are the ones that I used, non-gas filled for an early VW bug 1959-1966
They seem to work well and the cost is very reasonable if you don't need to have original equipment

 

[Herb Concord Ca]

What did you do for mounting brackets, make your own or?

 

[gilitos]

What did you do for mounting brackets, make your own or?

I've got a great set of tube shock mounts available. PM me and I'll send pics.

 

[Phil Brown]

Original post said that they were on the car when he bought it. Mine I made up the brackets needed with some early f-1 truck mounts in the front

 

[headonz]

Phil , thanks for posting the vw shock info , this was exactly what I had been searching for.
In the last photos showing the front shock ,how is the bottom attached to the axle ? I cant quite make out.
Is this work on the same "A" as in your profile pic ?

 

[Phil Brown]

I made up the attachment points and welded them to the bottom of the axle. There are pre-made bottom mounts that bolt to the bottom of spring perch but that didn't quite get location that I needed.
Yes it is the same coupe

 

[Phil Brown]

Here is a pic of the available lower shock mount that uses the spring perch bolt to use modern shocks that a lot of people use

 

[headonz]

Phil , thanks ,thats just what i want.


I hope to see some build updates of your coupe as you go along ,pictures are worth a thousand words

 

[30Murray]

Here is a pic of the available lower shock mount that uses the spring perch bolt to use modern shocks that a lot of people use

I could be mistaken, but it was my understanding that the stock spring perch bolts are not long enough to mount these. There are longer perches available (Pete and Jakes) but they don't accommodate the mechanical brake actuating arm so would normally be used with hydraulic brakes.

 

[don3527]

We have our own shocks custom made and valved for the weight of the model A. They are hydraulic, not gas. The free length is 14-3/8", collapsed is 9-3/4". They are not listed on our website individually but we do have them available. A-18014-A, $28.95 ea. Snyder's