The Ford Barn

aermotor · 08-13-2017, 09:31 AM

I bought a rolling chassis and the rear shocks are Rotoflo Universal dampers. They work good and I think I will use them. My question is how do they operate and what is inside them?

John

duke36 · 08-13-2017, 11:13 AM

We've seen these on older British cars that come thru our shop. I think there is only one moving internal part with a shock fluid. Maybe should check with some classic British
owners clubs, etc.

aermotor · 08-14-2017, 05:34 AM

Any other input on this? I did determine that it is 360 degree dampening with either left or right rotation. The only internal part would have to go in a hole approximately 5/8" diameter. It is filled with some kind of none hardening rubber compound that can be compressed with an adjusting screw to compress the rubber compound in order to increase friction. The arm is the same length as the Houdalle shocks and it is attached to the perch with a Ford dog bone link. The mounting holes match the original frame mount holes. Can't post a picture.

John

duke36 · 08-14-2017, 11:27 AM

here is pg from one of our old shop mags. hope it matches your set up..

aermotor · 08-14-2017, 11:53 AM

Not that one. The only opening in the case of mine is a hole for the shaft, which is attached to the arm. There is an adjusting screw in the center of the shaft.

John

Y-Blockhead · 08-14-2017, 11:57 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke36

here is pg from one of our old shop mags. hope it matches your set up..

I like the "Telecontrol" for as you drive adjustments.

duke36 · 08-14-2017, 04:26 PM

Like these in the photo?
These were Houdaille replacements from the UK after WW2. Similar operating principle.

aermotor · 08-14-2017, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke36

Like these in the photo?
These were Houdaille replacements from the UK after WW2. Similar operating principle.

Those are the ones. Mine both work and I don't want to tear them up but I am curious as to how they work seeing that there is no opening other than the hole for the shaft. I did pull what I assume is an adjusting screw and found some strange rubber like material inside. Are any still available?

John

quickchange · 08-14-2017, 08:36 PM

Turn it over they undo from the rear, No you can,t rebuild them they are like a duratorque Rubbery stuff inside , Where available in 2 sizes English around the 50,s---60,s I have some larger ones here, plus set of the smaller ones, can polish up nice,

08-13-2017, 09:31 AM	#1
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Shock absorber I bought a rolling chassis and the rear shocks are Rotoflo Universal dampers. They work good and I think I will use them. My question is how do they operate and what is inside them? John

08-13-2017, 11:13 AM	#2
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Shock absorber We've seen these on older British cars that come thru our shop. I think there is only one moving internal part with a shock fluid. Maybe should check with some classic British owners clubs, etc.

08-14-2017, 05:34 AM	#3
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Shock absorber Any other input on this? I did determine that it is 360 degree dampening with either left or right rotation. The only internal part would have to go in a hole approximately 5/8" diameter. It is filled with some kind of none hardening rubber compound that can be compressed with an adjusting screw to compress the rubber compound in order to increase friction. The arm is the same length as the Houdalle shocks and it is attached to the perch with a Ford dog bone link. The mounting holes match the original frame mount holes. Can't post a picture. John

08-14-2017, 11:53 AM	#5
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Shock absorber Not that one. The only opening in the case of mine is a hole for the shaft, which is attached to the arm. There is an adjusting screw in the center of the shaft. John

08-14-2017, 04:26 PM	#7
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Shock absorber Like these in the photo? These were Houdaille replacements from the UK after WW2. Similar operating principle. Last edited by duke36; 09-06-2017 at 07:04 PM.

08-14-2017, 08:36 PM	#9
quickchange Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nelson. New Zealand Posts: 2,009	Re: Shock absorber Turn it over they undo from the rear, No you can,t rebuild them they are like a duratorque Rubbery stuff inside , Where available in 2 sizes English around the 50,s---60,s I have some larger ones here, plus set of the smaller ones, can polish up nice,