Shock Replacement

[Bronco]

I am looking at replacing my old shocks on my 29 ccpu. I have seen new shocks from M&S Hydraulics, which cost a bit more than a rebuilding the originals. Has anyone used the shocks from M & S. Your opinions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Bronco

 

[gunmetal blue]

Why not rebiuld your old ones, if I was close I would rebuild them for you. Have and AA so if you what to sell the front 2 for my 1929 AA CCPU give me a price.

 

[bobgreco]

I know I am not answering your question exactly, but this past winter I bought a set of rebuilt shocks from Robert Paul and they are fantastic. They are original and look like the day they were made.

 

[Deluxe Delivery Don]

Bronco,I bought a set of originals for my Delivery last year from M&S. I thought about new ones but I was talked out purchasing them. The people that talked me out of them said that the ride wasn't has good has the originals,so I based my purchase on sticking with the originals. I also did his exchange program. Good luck

 

[SAJ]

I am looking at replacing my old shocks on my 29 ccpu. I have seen new shocks from M&S Hydraulics, which cost a bit more than a rebuilding the originals. Has anyone used the shocks from M & S. Your opinions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Bronco

[FONT=&quot]I fitted A Snyders "shock pack" about 3000 miles ago. The arms and dog-bone links were fine, but 2 of the M&S shock casings in this pack split along a deep groove cut into the outer threads . The cast iron was very thin in the bottom of this groove, which also had the internal thread adjacent to it - about .020 in some cases. It obviously gave way under the hydraulic pressure. It looked like the groove was for a packing, but there was none in any of them.
I had not altered the adjustment of the shocks when installing them. I also noticed other issues when I took the remaining two apart. They had lost oil, and had slack movement in them because of this . The oil is very heavy - about the same viscosity as Model A axle oil.
In all cases the O-ring in a groove in the shaft had been cut on original assembly and the cut-off bits of rubber were floating about inside. You can also see steel rag from the machining on the edge of the rotor, and some of this was broken off and loose in one shock.
Snyders were brilliant when I sent them the pics and explanation. I asked for Bill Stipe shocks to be sent (their "premium shock set") and they credited me the M&S shocks in full and sent the Stipe ones by air post - postage free! I did not ask for this - they offered.
Since I live in Auckland New Zealand this was quite a bonus.
The Stipe shocks are about twice the price, but they are beautifully made, 60/40 resistance like the originals (M&S are 50/50 bump/ rebound resistance due to a different construction), fully adjustable and replenishable with 30 weight synthetic hydraulic oil. The M&S ones have no oil in the "reservoir" which is a dummy, and they must be dismantled to top the oil up. Then re-sealing is hard to do on M&S . I brazed one body back together as a temporary fix and made it work again, but I believe it would soon lose oil again due to the stiff action caused by the valving and very thick oil, which must combine to cause very high instantaneous hydraulic pressures when large bumps are hit.
The M&S are adjustable too, but the lighter action the Stipe shocks are supplied with is not attainable on the M&S ones.
I have only done 100 miles on the Stipe ones, which I fitted last Friday, so can only comment the ride feels good and there may even be room for improvement when I decide what adjustments they need (if any).
The ride on the 50/50-action M&S shocks was OK too, until they burst or lost oil.
The shock arms and dogbones in the original pack were well made and work fine.
Stuart Jordan in NZ[/FONT]

 

[SAJ]

Here are pics of my M&S broken shock which I forgot to attach to my quick reply

 

[Bronco]

Thanks for the information.
Bronco

 

[Fred K-OR]

Bronco, I put a set of M&S on my 29 huckster (which is a little heaver than other A's) about a year ago. I have put maybe 500 or 600 miles on them so far and they seem to work, at least for me, fine. Before putting them on, I had no shocks at all. Without shocks, the huckster would be all over the road. But after installing them, the roadablity of the huckster seems to be greatly improved. So they seem to work in my application.

 

[CaceyB]

What kind of pricing can be found on rebuilt shocks without exchange? I don't have any shocks to exchange.

 

[Bill Stipe]

I see a lot of guys struggling with the thought of rebuilding the old lever shocks or purchasing the poorly made reproduction ones that have been on the market for quit some time now and have no oil reservoir and no adjustment for the ride.

That is the only reason I decided to Mfg them is that I needed 5 sets for my cars and they are the best new ones made at this time.
If anyone wants to try them risk free I will sell you a set to put on your car for one month and if you do not like them for any reason I will refund your money and the shipping cost both ways if you return them in good conditon.
I am that pleased with the performance!

Thank you

Bill Stipe

 

[Patrick L.]

I do not know or can't remember [ I can't remember which is which] what new repro shocks I installed a few years ago.. They were expensive, $700+.. They are a complete waste of money [and time].. The originals either weren't worth rebuilding or couldn't be rebuilt.. Just an opinion, I think rebuilding a good set of originals or buying a set from Mr Stipe is the way to go..