We're working on a friend's tudor sedan fitted with tube shocks (car has many older mod's !) Does any one know what brand of eyelet or loop end shock would fit as replacements? We've read that some find them too stiff for the A but the owner can't buy original repro's at $1100+. We contacted some vendors from the MAFCA list and all they sell are full kits (with no separate shock brand info.available). The shock suppliers are not much help for the stock Model A spring set up.
-
-
First thing, are you sure the shock you have are shot?
Next, I would take the shock to a Napa store and have them find a "OIL" shock to replace the one you have. Gas shocks are way more stiffer than oil shocks. You could also get a pair of MGB shocks for the rear, I wasn't able to use those shocks for front and back on my Tudor, but in the rear they work very well.You wana look waaay far up da road and plan yer route because the brakes are far more of a suggestion than a command! -
There should be part numbers on the shocks that can be taken to the parts store and interchanged to any brand you desire. Rod"Much of the social history of the Western world, over the past three decades, has been a history of replacing what worked with what sounded good." Thomas SowellComment
-
Check out Monroe 370983~ Tudor's & 1~ Coupe
Henry Ford said,
"It's all nuts and bolts"
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Mitch's Auto Service ctrComment
-
We did some internet searching of shock mfg. spec's and have corresponded with some shock rep's et. al. to no avail. We did get a response from Bratton's today that their 'new' kits with red shocks are Gabriel 81039 (gas charged) but not about the black ones in their catalogue evidently requiring removing rear backing plates,etc. The others such as Gabriel 82007 and Monroe 37098 which fit a Willys Jeepster at around 2600 # weight appeared to be too stiff and are listed as nitrogen charged.
After remembering working on VW's in the '60's, I checked around for a possible pure oil filled shock and an EMPI 9650 shock fit the parameters of the ones we removed, 9 3/4" closed 14 1/2" + extended. At $30 a piece , we were able to test some from a local classic VW parts vendor.The compression force is easily less than the supposedly oil filled ones removed (which are nameless) which were harder to compress but not like gas charged. The down side is that these come with a 12mm steel eyelet bushing. In order to fit the 5/8" studs on the car, we drill- pressed out the bushing which is vulcanized at the shock eyelet. The shocks fit very well and will be lubed as needed. These are for the fronts only as the rears appear to be compatible with the rear spring and weight distribution.
Some bad news was that we painted a portion of 1 shock with 2 different gloss black rattle cans, one from Orchard Supply and the other Rustoleum engine enamel. They curdled the shock white paint again as we've found in other situations due to acetone and other solvents to aid with VOC req'd drying.Note that the shock paint was immune to lacquer thinner used to remove the tests. The last test was some Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy black on hand . It dryed very quickly with nice gloss , no real bad aroma and can be re-coated within 1/2 hr.
Once road tested, we'll report back. These seem a good compromise to help allow the front spring to do its job.
Again thanks to all on this site for helpful info.Last edited by plyfor; 08-05-2017, 07:32 PM.Comment
-
Good information at least on the paint. I had used the appliance paint years ago for something but not automotive.Comment
-
Test drive update: pleasant improvement in front end ride,handling and proper spring action with the EMPI shocks. If desired though not needed based on our test, another install option would be to knock out the link pin bushing and replace with 5/8" hole size bushings ($4 per pair) instead of drilling the steel bushings..Comment
-
If you decide to go with a gas charged shock consider the Monroe Reflex shock with the ASD valve. I worked closely with the engineers when designing the valve and the specialized machine to assemble the ASD valve. We received a SEMA award for it and Edelbrock came out with their own copy with just enough of a change not to conflict with the Pattent. At any rate if lessens the effect of the gas charge. I have not heard any report on how these perform on Model A's, but would expect it to be favorable compared to a common gas charged shock. Rod"Much of the social history of the Western world, over the past three decades, has been a history of replacing what worked with what sounded good." Thomas SowellComment
-
The front spring rate on the Model A is 315 and the gas charged shock seems to be too stiff for that rate. We've tried KYB Excel G (gas ), comparable to Monroe, the vendor's kit 's ProAdvantage NS (can't find manufacturer name) , etc. and all are still too hard a ride. The VW shocks listed are the only one's found that are non gas enhanced and seem to be compatible with the 10 leaf front spring and the 13" center to center eyelets at road loading height.Comment
-
Erwin and Gabriel are the other 2 major manufacturers. Gabriels can easily be identified by their crimped on (not welded) dirt shields. Monroe shocks with dirt shields are always resistance welded on with a fine criss cross pattern. Have never really looked at a known Erwin shock. When I worked for Monroe we made many other aftermarket brands including Rancho, Skyjacker, NAPA etc. Along with OE shocks for Ford, GM, Nissan, IH, Mack, Kenworth and Freightliner. Rod
-
-
Thanks for the info. We cross referenced Gabriel, but the reps' thought they were also nitrogen gas enhanced as stated in the specs.Comment
-
Got another vendor reference: QA products Precision TS513. These are listed as (non gas) oil filled and have an adjustment ride knob and are pricey at approx $150 !Comment
-
We installed another EMPI set of shocks on a '31 Tn sedan front, kit tube shocks provided on rear. (from Bratton's ,the black older kit.). Loaded the car up with 4 people. Great ride and very stable.Comment
.png){kind=spacer}
-
Does anyone know if any of the new shocks being manufactured, stipe, snyders, brattons have the same bias as the houdaille shocks when the car was new. Also I wonder about rebuilt shocks. AND does it matter. Or what is preferred. Rick10-04-2022, 03:21 PM -
I bought a new shock back in June and installed it on the right rear of my sedan. I was very happy to replace the old originally totally worn out shock. Later on a purchased a new shock for the left rear and installed that. As it turns out the shocks came from two different vendors as i have been bouncing back and forth between two of the major suppliers, This past week i have been replacing the heavy...12-01-2021, 11:20 AM
-
Did a search, but not satisfied. No sign of fluid in front shocks. Can I use a standard hydraulic fluid 30 or 40 wt?
03-02-2022, 01:24 PM -
Which kit provides good dampening and good ride quality; Snyder's, Bratton's or Ken Davis?
I am committed to installing tube shocks on my A. This is not a question about OEM shocks. With my front suspension in pieces on the garage floor, I determined that I could make a better performing shock package if I placed the shocks in front of the axle and outside of the radius rod-perch connection....12-24-2021, 11:45 AM -
I have read some posts of MGB shocks being used on Model A Fords. I have a 1930 Tudor Sedan with no shocks. I was wondering how difficult the installation may be and if special parts needed to be fabricated or were available on the market. I did read the article regarding installation on a Model A truck which did require some minor fabrication but I'm interested in mounting them on a sedan.08-06-2022, 05:55 PM -
Anyone try the modern shocks? Curious what you guys think.
https://www.brattons.com/no-drilling...nting-kit.html05-22-2020, 01:32 PM -
About 20 years ago I purchased a set of reproduction shocks from M&M Hydraulics. I was happy with the ride and rebound characteristics of the shocks for about 5 years after which they slowly declined and leaked. Has anyone opened the older reproduction shocks to determine if they can be rebuilt? If so, could you please share what I will find when I open them up so I can have some plan of attack...02-25-2019, 07:37 PM -
I purchased a 30 coupe recently that was restored for touring possibly 30 years ago. It came with tube shocks on the front and the brackets are still for the rears but those shocks were rolling around on the rumble floor. Took a ride and I felt the ride was way to stiff compared to other model As. I removed the front tubes and they are gas shocks that may be 50/50 or 60/40. These shocks have the threaded...10-02-2022, 02:43 PM
-
Just wondering if Stipe Shocks are serviceable/repairable? What type of fluid is used? Is a parts breakdown available?03-03-2022, 08:09 AM -
I am interested in any members' opinions/experiences on the modern shock absorber kit offered by Bratton's (see https://www.brattons.com/no-drilling...nting-kit.html). I like the idea of not having to remove the brake drums and the like to install the rears. I have asked Bratton's for any additional instructions they have, but what they have is just what is shown on the website. If anyone...09-20-2017, 04:23 PM
Comment