Original shocks

charlesea

charlesea

Well-known member
We have a chassis donated to an auto tech school & they are in the process of restoring it to give the students a lesson on the Model A Ford.
It came with 4 shocks on it and 3 hooked up the shock arm correct. The 4th shock appears to be for the opposite side.
The question is: Can we cut a slot in the shock shaft to use it? Will the shock operate as it should?
I realize the fluid filler would be on the bottom.
Thanks
 
It's not that easy , in a properly working shock the resistance is different in each direction--- do they have a copy of the service bulletins , it has a several page article about testing and rebuilding shocks
 
First question, do they turn?

Second, is there any lateral play on the shaft?
If there is lateral play on the shaft then they are decorative without extensive work.

The internal tolerances on the A shock were quite close. Even a small amout of wear will cause them to not work properly or require a much heavier oil.

The direction of rotation is based on an internal set of passages. They are designed to be hard in one direction and a somewhat softer in the other direction.
When assembled properly and the adjusting screw all the way in the original shaft should be very hard to turn by hand.

FWIW, odds very good are the shocks you have are bad. At the very least they need to come apart to clear the check balls and such. If you feel you want to take them apart I can give you some ideas on how to do it. You will need a large socket and a 3/4" impact.
 
Thanks for the replies. I did not have my hopes up so I can see where the suggestion would not work. T I thought the shock movement was different each way.
Charles
 
charlesea said:
The question is: Can we cut a slot in the shock shaft to use it? Will the shock operate as it should?
I realize the fluid filler would be on the bottom.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Assuming they are working correctly in the first place, the shocks were not 50-50. There was more resistance in one direction than the other. This would be opposite from stock. Don't do it.
 
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