Running with out shocks

[We1969knight]

Hi All,
I have a 1930 Coupe that I drive a fair amount.
It has No Shocks.
I try and keep the tire pressure @ 35psi.
I plan on putting shocks on her as soon as I can afford it.
In the mean while should I be greasing the leaf springs as they are working extra hard now?
She is a handful right now if the road is irregular but I keep her under 40 mph most of the time.
TIA
Chris
Union, ME

[barnstuf]

Without shocks you are finding control hard and you can break a spring if you hit a pothole, go over a railroad track or a similar situation that tosses the car upwards in a rebound. All the spring leaves take the load downward, but upward the main leaf carries the load so watch out for rebounds.

[JohnLaVoy]

Having shocks on a Model A will improve the ride. The Model T was not equipped with shocks and when the Model A was being developed the story goes that Henry Ford went for a ride in a prototype and then told the developers to add the shocks from the Lincoln. The Model A was the first car in it's price range to have shocks. So don't be afraid to drive the Model A until you can afford shock, do go with the original style either from Brattons or Specialty Motor Cams unless you have rebuild-able originals.

[31Tudor]

Shocks will dramatically improve the ride and handling. I have driven a 28 pickup 12,000 miles without shocks and have not had any ill affects. I have driven other Model A's and then put shocks on them and the ride is so much nicer and handling is better. You don't have to overthink the springs, when you get shocks just put them on and you will enjoy the new feel.

[WHN]

There are a lot of Model A's out there running around without stocks that also have weak springs and front ends that really need rebuilding.

You know you have a car that is not "SAFE".

If you can't afford to fix it, please don't endanger your self and other people.

Make it safe and enjoy a great little car.

[rosenkranswa]

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The AA's didn't have shocks and while they ride like a truck, they're drivable. I'd say just be careful until you get a set.

[Kevin in NJ]

Drove my fordor without shocks and rebuilt springs.

Drove it once and felt the car unsafe over 20 MPH and never drove without shocks again.

[Benson]

My experience is similar to Kevin's.

50 years ago someone told me NOT rebuild springs until I got the shocks "in hand".

My suggestion is to wait until you get the shocks before you lube the springs ...

After you lube the springs you WILL likely need the shocks as the car will bounce around more.

The stiff springs now are acting like shocks and dampening the suspension to some extent !

I should note that I drove the coupe with no shocks and rusty springs for 40,000 miles before I got shocks and rebuilt the springs.

[mike657894]

I recently put on some modern rear shocks and they really helped the control. The bounding and body roll was coming from the rear it seems. so much so that I dont know if I need to do the fronts now. the fronts are presenting more of a problem as the steering is there and I dont want them visible. I welded tabs onto my axle with some 1/2 in steel I had around. works great perfect amount of resistance and travel. gabrial classics. ill edit this post with the photos and ebay listing if still available. photobuckets new policy invalidated my shock thread or I would have posted that too. not saying that my method is the best for everybody or better than a kit you can buy. but it was super cheap free steel and 30$ per shock and 8$ for a shock. a double eye shock may be better for this positioning as wel. For this to work the upper hole is oversized to allow movement. http://www.ebay.com/itm/380664692481?rmvSB=true

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by We1969knight

Hi All,
I have a 1930 Coupe that I drive a fair amount.
It has No Shocks.
I try and keep the tire pressure @ 35psi.
I plan on putting shocks on her as soon as I can afford it.
In the mean while should I be greasing the leaf springs as they are working extra hard now?
She is a handful right now if the road is irregular but I keep her under 40 mph most of the time.
TIA
Chris
Union, ME

Hey Chris,
Sounds like you have it all in hand and under control with a plan, so just follow thru when you can .
Just went to a Model T swap meet. Not only did that model not have shocks, but they also did not have other 'things' that you do have on your Model A...namely front brakes . How do you like your Model A now !

[goodoldvic]

I drove my Tudor for years w/o shocks. I bought a set of friction shocks off the swap meet, and I must say its like night and day for the better.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by rosenkranswa

The AA's didn't have shocks and while they ride like a truck, they're drivable. I'd say just be careful until you get a set.

All the AA's did have front shocks - most didn't have the rear except very special vehicles like ambulances and hursts. With no load nowadays and slow speeds AA's go they arent needed at all...

[Kahuna]

Gives you confidence in the handling of the car

[Simonpie]

The stock shocks are very good, but if you're short money, don't overlook the dry friction type. Speedway has some offenhauser brand that are simple bolt-ons, and pretty reasonable. You may need to buy the ball as well as the shock. The dry shocks aren't fantastic, but they're fantastic compared to nothing.

[TRP]

Huh! Look at that? I poked my head under my newly purchased 29 Tudor and found that it doesn't have any shocks! Why would someone remove them? It looks like I'll be in the market for a 'complete kit'.

Do I just go with one of the modern shock setups or try to piece together a original style kit. Maybe I'll look into the dry shocks?

*edit*
How much for a complete set of 'originals'?! $1180.00!? Yowza.

Fun stuff!
Ted

[Fred A]

Model A shocks are all over the place in quantity, quality, price and phonies abound. Couple of the crap repops on my pickup were doing nothing. The Ford script may be the clue that they are the no refill crap. Since I go to many swap meets, I learned to test the low cost cores offered out here(California) with my hands and soon was able to spot cheap shocks that would function. None are over $25 and many less. Now the pickup is well shocked but suffer a bit of leakage that I must top off occasionally. Many millions of the Model A shocks were made and there is little shortage. Think of it as a hands on sport. Good Luck: Fred A

[Gerald1961]

I have best experience with new shocks from Bill Stipe. They look identical to my originals, which were no more functional and are refillable. The riding improved tremendeously. With springs greased and covered, the car keeps the lane also on rough roads up to high speeds ( 55-60 mph). It´s a piece of cake to handle the car on a highway even for my wife.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by TRP

Huh! Look at that? I poked my head under my newly purchased 29 Tudor and found that it doesn't have any shocks! Why would someone remove them? It looks like I'll be in the market for a 'complete kit'.

Do I just go with one of the modern shock setups or try to piece together a original style kit. Maybe I'll look into the dry shocks?

*edit*
How much for a complete set of 'originals'?! $1180.00!? Yowza.

Fun stuff!
Ted

Hey Ted,
Guys are talking friction and old worn out leaking originals and no shocks at all. If you are not into authenticity...try MG shocks. I put rebuilt front MGs on my '30 roadster and they are incredibly good at bounce control !
MG fronts/rears are different. They can be had off of ebay REBUILT for cheap compared to questionable rebuilt originals...if you can find them.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Ever drive an OLD Buick, with coil springs & NO shocks??? You'll get SEASICK & they're DANGEROUS & on hard braking, they do UNBELIEVABLE rear wheel HOPPING!!!
Bill Reallyscared

[denniskliesen]

Originally Posted by Gerald1961

I have best experience with new shocks from Bill Stipe. They look identical to my originals, which were no more functional and are refillable. The riding improved tremendeously. With springs greased and covered, the car keeps the lane also on rough roads up to high speeds ( 55-60 mph). It´s a piece of cake to handle the car on a highway even for my wife.

X2 on Stipe shocks.

[Tom F OHIO]

I would say Chris is going to get shocks. How often should they be rechecked to be topped off with shock fluid? How do you know if the fluid is low.

[29er]

Here's a really old thread that may be of interest:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103387

[We1969knight]

Thank you All for your reply'!
I understand that over half the A's on the road have no shocks.
I am a very careful driver and avoid rough roads (and RR tracks at any speed).
I think I'll eventually install orig. equipment shocks.
I understand there is a guy in Colo who rebuilds them.
Anyone have his contact info?
TIA chris

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

DUAL speed bumps are a great shock tester & also, those smooth drainage DIPS.
Bill W.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Chris,

Running without shocks is like sleeping on the ground without bed springs.

After some time, you will get used to it.

[Bikerider58]

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Just installed modern shocks on my 30. m.a.c.s_fabrication is ebay seller. I like the gas charged shocks over none.

Big improvement on worn originals. So, why modern? Although I think they are better, it came down to cost. Full set for price of one new original type.

No welding, no drilling and rear mount came be installed using front side longer rear backing plate bolts, so I can go back to original style whenever.

[burner31]

Type in Ken Davis shocks