1932 Ford shock absorbers taking them apart

[Ronnieroadster]

Would anyone be able to explain how to disassemble 1932 Ford shocks.
I finally acquired a set for my Deuce pickup restoration project. The shocks I now have are frozen since I do as much work myself as possible I'm interested in learning how to go about at least taking them apart.
Ronnieroadster

[Lincolnville]

So, your question is somewhat timely… I’ve started to dissemble both the 1932 Model B (adjustable Shock) – first and 4th picture and the 1932 thermostatically controlled shocks – second picture. Also, you can go to google patent and type in 1843603A and pull up some of the drawings. I’ve posted one of those as well.

Note in the 5th picture, you will see a difference in the bottom/ base. In this picture I have two right side shocks. The one on the far left is the thermostatically controlled shock and the other two are the model B.

As you can see on the model B shocks someone else attempted to dissemble the shocks and nearly destroyed them. I'm hoping to fill in the gouges with welding material.

But, to get to your question……. So far it has been a mix of heat, penetrating oil, sweet words of encouragement and brute force.

And as David Rehor has kindly advised me, 50% of all the model B shocks can't be repaired because they are stuck, etc..... I've dissembled ones that have been stuck (sadly I didn't take pictures) and his comment is spot on......

And oh... for those that were stuck.... I cut them open to see what was inside.. mostly rust... none of the parts were useable.

I'll save you some money and pass on my education... Listen to David and purchase some shocks that are not stuck..

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Lincolnville

So, your question is somewhat timely… I’ve started to dissemble both the 1932 Model B (adjustable Shock) – first and 4th picture and the 1932 thermostatically controlled shocks – second picture. Also, you can go to google patent and type in 1843603A and pull up some of the drawings. I’ve posted one of those as well.
But, to get to your question……. So far it has been a mix of heat, penetrating oil and brute force.

[Lincolnville]

A few more pictures...

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Lincolnville

A few more pictures...

[Newc]

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The Model A folks have a manual on these type of shocks. My problem is the '34s and '33s are even more special. Newc

[woodiewagon46]

I would suggest purchasing the book by Les Pearson on how the Model A shock is rebuilt, it's available from Model A distributors. I have a fixture that I use to crack open the Model A shock, where the shock bolts down to a 1/2" steel plate and I use a 1 and 1/2" deep socket to open the shock. It takes a 3' breaker bar and sometimes a pipe extension. Model A is different from '32 but there are left side and right side shocks so don't mix them up.

[Bored&Stroked]

What type of tooling/fixture do you use to take the cover off - without making a mess out of it? Seems like some sort of super-duty band clamp is needed?

[woodiewagon46]

Sometimes a plumbers strap wrench will work. If not I will try to move the lock ring first by using a punch in the small holes and tapping the cover all around to try to free the threads. A large Channel Lock with wood over the jaws will also work sometimes, but it needs to be close to the outer edge.

[Bored&Stroked]

Thank you Sir!

[DavidG]

Be very careful. Only a B-prefix '32 shock is basically the same as a Model A shock with a larger capacity. A 18-prefix shock, the most prevalent among survivors, can be ruined by assuming that it is similar to a Model A shock. Its bi-metal thermostatic valving is fragile and can be damaged beyond repair in the wrong hands.

[woodiewagon46]

Please note, any information I pass along is Model A only, I have no experience rebuilding '32 shocks. As David points out, the B prefix is similar, but I have never rebuilt one. One word of caution, don't mix the parts up, keep each shock separate, there are two clockwise shocks and two anti-clockwise shocks on every car, they are not all the same as some people think.

[DavidG]

Good point about the front and rear shocks not necessarily being the same. In original '32 production, some of the closed car rear shocks have greater resistance than the front shocks depending on the weight of the body.

[nickthebandit]

Ronnie, be sure that you take the fill bolt out before applying any heat. I know that you are knowledgeable, but this is just a reminder. Years ago, Pete ? from Long Island didn't remove the fill bolt before he applied heat to a model A shock and it exploded. He was hurt pretty badly.

[hop up]

Tools to disassemble the shocks

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by hop up

Tools to disassemble the shocks

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by nickthebandit

Ronnie, be sure that you take the fill bolt out before applying any heat. I know that you are knowledgeable, but this is just a reminder. Years ago, Pete ? from Long Island didn't remove the fill bolt before he applied heat to a model A shock and it exploded. He was hurt pretty badly.

Hi Nick
Thanks for the information besides restoring my Deuce pickup I also have Jacks three window project underway as well. Not wasting any time staying busy as usual.
Ron

[Ronnieroadster]

Hop Up
Thanks for the pictures.
Home made tools to make this special project not so hard to do after all.
Ronnieroadster

[Kurt in NJ]

When building a garage anchors were set in the concrete to bolt a plate that held the shocks to take them apart

[Bored&Stroked]

I knew there had to be some sort of "band-clamp" tool to pull the covers . . . thanks for sharing the whole set of tools. I could make most of them - but I have to decide if this is more important than 1000 other things I need to do! LOL