shocks are missing

[rudvirus]

So I have been reading on here about stocks and was going to see how to fill them up. Since I noticed the one side of the coupe was leaning a little. I go under the car and noticed that my have none all together. So either my grandfather took them off becuase they were bad, or someone took them off when he had it park outside for a longtime hmmm.

[C26Pinelake]

Same thing happened to me when I bought my very first A. Sure saves on oil ( lol ) !
Wayne

[rudvirus]

Originally Posted by C26Pinelake

Same thing happened to me when I bought my very first A. Sure saves on oil ( lol ) !
Wayne

That is true lol. I am putting modern shocks on the back anyways, might as well do the front now. I have to read up on the shocks for the front dont want them to stiff.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Rudvirus,
Be SURE NOT to get GAS shocks, it'll ride like a STEAM ROLLER!!
Bbbbbbbill W.

[Mike V. Florida]

You have four choices;

• Leave it
• Original style
• Tube
• MGB

[mshmodela]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yes, mine A did not have them either. I have a set of stipe shocks and related parts arms etc. However, the 4 brand new original tube (non-dog bone) links are all defective, multi cracks where the grease fittings are.

[ricklove]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Rudvirus,
Be SURE NOT to get GAS shocks, it'll ride like a STEAM ROLLER!!
Bbbbbbbill W.

What's a good alternative?

[Marshall V. Daut]

The reason your car is leaning to one side is most likely not because there are no shock absorbers. A Model "A" can sit perfectly level with or without shocks. Most Model "A's" lean to one side or the other because whoever installed the front and/or rear springs did not get the center spring bolt head to seat properly in the respective crossmember, OR the hanger nuts were tightened without first leveling the frame. I've heard the argument that overweight drivers have caused the frame and body to lean to the left, but I think Haystack Calhoun would have to be the driver and have abused the car over many decades for THAT to explain such a lean.
To correct your lean, simply loosen the front and rear spring hanger nuts. Then stand on the runningboard on the high side and use your weight to flex your knees up and down to rock the chassis. This will "slide" the frame in the direction you are standing and change the lean. Get off the running board and check the levelness front an rear. Don't trust a measuring stick at the bumpers because the brackets may be bent or other factors may give a false reading. Use your eye to tell you when levelness has been achieved. You may have to go back and forth from runningboard to runningboard before the car sits level. When satisfied that the car now sits level, be sure to check that the center bolt head in each spring has nestled into the crossmember hole. Tighten up the spring hanger nuts evenly so that you don't pull the frame in one direction or the other. Test drive the car to ensure the new setting remains. If so, replace the cotter pins.
By the way, some guys like to put a VERY SLIGHT lean to the passenger's side so that when they are in the driver's seat, the car will be level. If your springs and hangers are in good shape and you're not Haystack Calhoun's twin brother, this shouldn't be necessary. Go for a level stance with the car empty.
This suggestion does not imply that your car doesn't need shocks! It does need them if you want to achieve the ride and handling that were designed into these cars. The foregoing is only intended to get the car level PRIOR to installing shock absorbers.
Marshall

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by ricklove

What's a good alternative?

Rick,
Just use STANDARD DUTY, OIL TYPE, TUBE SHOCKS. Model A's are a very LIGHT car, UNLESS you're haulin' a load uf CHUBBY WOMEN!

Bill W.

[ricklove]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Rick,
Just use STANDARD DUTY, OIL TYPE, TUBE SHOCKS. Model A's are a very LIGHT car, UNLESS you're haulin' a load uf CHUBBY WOMEN!

Bill W.

..... and what's wrong with chubby women??

[Marshall V. Daut]

Maybe Bill meant "Chebby Women", as in "Chevr*let Women"?
Marshall

[rudvirus]

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

The reason your car is leaning to one side is most likely not because there are no shock absorbers. A Model "A" can sit perfectly level with or without shocks. Most Model "A's" lean to one side or the other because whoever installed the front and/or rear springs did not get the center spring bolt head to seat properly in the respective crossmember, OR the hanger nuts were tightened without first leveling the frame. I've heard the argument that overweight drivers have caused the frame and body to lean to the left, but I think Haystack Calhoun would have to be the driver and have abused the car over many decades for THAT to explain such a lean.
To correct your lean, simply loosen the front and rear spring hanger nuts. Then stand on the runningboard on the high side and use your weight to flex your knees up and down to rock the chassis. This will "slide" the frame in the direction you are standing and change the lean. Get off the running board and check the levelness front an rear. Don't trust a measuring stick at the bumpers because the brackets may be bent or other factors may give a false reading. Use your eye to tell you when levelness has been achieved. You may have to go back and forth from runningboard to runningboard before the car sits level. When satisfied that the car now sits level, be sure to check that the center bolt head in each spring has nestled into the crossmember hole. Tighten up the spring hanger nuts evenly so that you don't pull the frame in one direction or the other. Test drive the car to ensure the new setting remains. If so, replace the cotter pins.
By the way, some guys like to put a VERY SLIGHT lean to the passenger's side so that when they are in the driver's seat, the car will be level. If your springs and hangers are in good shape and you're not Haystack Calhoun's twin brother, this shouldn't be necessary. Go for a level stance with the car empty.
This suggestion does not imply that your car doesn't need shocks! It does need them if you want to achieve the ride and handling that were designed into these cars. The foregoing is only intended to get the car level PRIOR to installing shock absorbers.
Marshall

Yeah I looked at the hangers and they are bad. I am buying new ones to fix that issue.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by ricklove

..... and what's wrong with chubby women??

I like chubby wimens. They have more cushin' for the pushin'...

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

the hanger nuts were tightened without first leveling the frame.
Marshall

Thanks for that info Marshall. My Town Sedan has a slight lean to the drivers side. I'm going to check that out.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

A "CHUBBY" WOMAN once sat on me!! Ever wunder WHY I walk "FUNNY"???
Bill W.