Shocks: Necessity or luxury?

they prevent the rocking chair ride, darting while driving (especially on rough roads), darting while brakeing, front axle pendelum, and body roll. It's like flossing. You only have to floss the teeth you want to keep.
 
You take the chasnce of seriously injuring yourself, your passenger and the person you hit when the car swerves ! The expensive set is a major investment but well worth it !
Al
 
I too recommend Ron Paul. I added the missing shocks on my tudoor and it made a big difference in ride and control. Your '29 coupe sounds like a very nice car. Why leave out a major part of the suspension?
 
If you're trying to find/match an older 'modern' shock, here is a catalog of Mounting and Length Specifications from Monroe. LINK It is also quite useful for custom buildups.
 
Mike, welcome fellow Oregonian!

I have shocks on both of my rigs. When I first finished the huckster, I did not have shocks on it. So I went cheap and purchased a new aftermarket set from M&S. They are located in Hillsboro, OR. I think they are still around $500. Before getting them on my huckster being it is a heavy rig, it handles much better with them. I am not an expert on shocks, but the M&S shocks seem to work fine for me on the huckster. But I do not drive the rig more than 45 or 50 MPH and it is all stock, no two speed setup and they seem to give it stability for me. I also do not take the huckster on long cruises. So it is a parade car and a grandkid hauler around local. So guess my point is that the need for them is well expressed above and if they are not needed, Ford would not have put them on in the first place.
 
I am in favor of shocks and would like to point out a no shock happening no one has mentioned yet. If driving with no shocks and you hit a pot hole or go over a railroad track the spring leafs all absorb the shock as the car bottoms out, but on the rebound only the main leaf is picking up the front end or rear end and carrying most of the load. It is not unusual to have the spring main leaf broken and this is often the cause.
 
The stability of your A when going about 45mph through a sweeping turn is greatly enhanced with a set of working shocks. Without good shocks at 45mph in a sweeping turn the banjo tends to skip sideways accross rough pavement. Call shock rebuilder John Holland (330-483-3896) for a set of reasonably priced rebuilt shocks. He rebuilt mine and I am totally satisified.
 
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Thanks guys! Lots of wisdom among you all. This is gonna be fun! Your replies stimulated some research on my part.

Seems shocks ARE necessary (mandatory as one of you said) for: (1) safety; (2) protection of springs, frame and maybe even tires; and (3) comfort. 'Ol Bill W's photo of the toppled "A" should convince everybody (but Bill, did ya notice several of those jars of moonshine were unbroken!).

Anyway, I made a few calls yesterday to see what's available. Thought I'd share what I discovered. Seems current options for shocks are: (1) modern tubular types; (2) rebuilt originals; (3) new "sealed" Houdaille reproductions; and (4) Bill Stipe's remanufactured/ retooled Houdaille-type. Other threads at FB adequately discuss these.

Several people told me the originals are getting harder and harder to find, especially those that are still in suitable condition for rebuilding. Bert's told me they don't have anymore to rebuild unless you supply them. The guys who rebuild them are listed in Pluck's list and on other threads here at FB.

Fortunately, I've got 4 in the barn and will likely rebuild them for the learning experience.

Thanks again for your thoughts. I'll look forward to being part of the Model A Forum.

Mike
 
I found out years ago that having shocks makes the difference between driving a BABY BUGGY and driving a car. I can not imagine driving without shocks.
 
I put modern shocks all the way around. The front was too stiff and I cannnot find a oil filled replacement. I took off the fronts and just have the rears on. The car rides well and I don't have any control problems.
 
Stay away from having M&S rebuilding your originals. I had nothing but leaking shocks after having mine done there. I even took some of them back to be redone, and they still leaked. No problems with Rob Paul rebuilds.
 
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