The Ford Barn

stewgee · 05-22-2021, 06:57 PM

Hey everyone I just pulled the rear shocks off my 30 Delux Roadster and there was absolutely no oil in either. They look ok (no obvious wear). Should I replace them or get a rebuild kit from one of the Model A suppliers.? As you all know they are pricey. Also can someone tell me how to determine what period mine was built? The parts catalogs show 1928 through October 1930 and November 1930 through 1931. Also there are 3 different needle adjusters. Square, hex and pointer with numbers. This little Roadster went through a body off restoration between 2009-2015. Any and all advice is certainly appreciated

Bill Cilker · 05-22-2021, 07:13 PM

Get the Restoration Guidelines from MARC or MAFCA. There is a whole section on shocks.
There are more varieties of shocks than you would think.

nkaminar · 05-22-2021, 07:46 PM

The vendors sell shock oil. I would fill up the shocks and see if they leak is bad or could be lived with and refilled every 6 months or so. Taking apart the shocks require special tools including a concrete base to bolt them to. I have never been able to take them apart. Glycerin is no longer used for the shock oil. The shocks actually improve the ride so they are worth replacing or repairing.

stewgee · 05-22-2021, 07:48 PM

Thanks Bill. Can you sorta guide me to the shock section on the MAFCA site. There's a lot of good info and one can get lost and sidetracked in that maze. Appreciate it

redmodelt · 05-22-2021, 08:12 PM

Personally unless you are doing a fine point judging, I would use what you have if it works after adding lube. Finding rebuild-able shock is not easy esp ones that can be rebuilt and would be year correct.

Fred A · 05-23-2021, 12:29 AM

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There are poor quality reproductions out there. The ones I mention can not be refilled and have a ford script unlike the original Houdaille. For some reason, the repops with the phony Ford script are regularly represented as authentic and no argument on my part can convince the proud owner otherwise. Good Luck: Fred A

Conaway2 · 05-23-2021, 07:27 AM

They do make a noticeable improvement in ride and handling.

Another less pricey option is to have them rebuilt. John Holland currently has a set of mine for rebuilding.

Good luck - JIm

kawagumby · 05-23-2021, 08:48 AM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28-29-30-31...-/150871510555

If you're not a purist, this is the way to go, IMO. I plan to do just that with my '31 when I get the time.

Dick M · 05-23-2021, 12:16 PM

John Holland is an expert on shock rebuilding. He is also very reasonable. I have a set of shocks John rebuilt 10 years ago and they are still in perfect working order. His telephone number is 330-483-3896.

Rebuilding shocks can be a real bear. I do not advise you to tackle this on your own unless you are very mechanically inclined.

stewgee · 05-23-2021, 06:26 PM

Really appreciate all the responses but I'm a little confused. These shocks came apart quite easy and seem to be in good shape. Just with no shock oil. All hardware is there (arms and dogbones). Isn't there a kit that I can buy to rebuild the shocks myself? Just asking

[ATTACH]20210523_180548.jpg[/ATTACH]

shew01 · 05-23-2021, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewgee

Really appreciate all the responses but I'm a little confused. These shocks came apart quite easy and seem to be in good shape. Just with no shock oil. All hardware is there (arms and dogbones). Isn't there a kit that I can buy to rebuild the shocks myself? Just asking

[ATTACH]Attachment 464132[/ATTACH]

https://www.brattons.com/pointer-syt...-pro-pack.html

https://www.brattons.com/square-sytl...-pro-pack.html

https://www.brattons.com/hex-sytle-s...-pro-pack.html

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

stewgee · 05-23-2021, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shew01

https://www.brattons.com/pointer-syt...-pro-pack.html

https://www.brattons.com/square-sytl...-pro-pack.html

https://www.brattons.com/hex-sytle-s...-pro-pack.html

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So would you say that the hex style kit would be the correct one? It covers 30, 31 plus. My Roadster had a square on one side and a hex on the other. Just trying to be sure before I drop a hundred bucks plus shipping.

shew01 · 05-24-2021, 04:16 AM

You might want to call Bratton’s. They usually have good pre-sales advice. They are great to work with.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

stewgee · 05-24-2021, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shew01

You might want to call Bratton’s. They usually have god pre-sales advice. They are great to work with.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks....not a bad idea. I will definitely give them a call. By the way I do love the color scheme and the tan top on the Vicky. Kinda matches a Roadster I know

05-22-2021, 06:57 PM	#1
stewgee Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Locust Grove, OK Posts: 84	30A Roadster Shocks Hey everyone I just pulled the rear shocks off my 30 Delux Roadster and there was absolutely no oil in either. They look ok (no obvious wear). Should I replace them or get a rebuild kit from one of the Model A suppliers.? As you all know they are pricey. Also can someone tell me how to determine what period mine was built? The parts catalogs show 1928 through October 1930 and November 1930 through 1931. Also there are 3 different needle adjusters. Square, hex and pointer with numbers. This little Roadster went through a body off restoration between 2009-2015. Any and all advice is certainly appreciated

05-22-2021, 07:13 PM	#2
Bill Cilker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 398	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks Get the Restoration Guidelines from MARC or MAFCA. There is a whole section on shocks. There are more varieties of shocks than you would think. __________________ Bill Cilker, Jr Unrestored 190A Victoria 45B, 160B & 189A Victoria Association President

05-22-2021, 07:46 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,889	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks The vendors sell shock oil. I would fill up the shocks and see if they leak is bad or could be lived with and refilled every 6 months or so. Taking apart the shocks require special tools including a concrete base to bolt them to. I have never been able to take them apart. Glycerin is no longer used for the shock oil. The shocks actually improve the ride so they are worth replacing or repairing. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

05-22-2021, 07:48 PM	#4
stewgee Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Locust Grove, OK Posts: 84	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks Thanks Bill. Can you sorta guide me to the shock section on the MAFCA site. There's a lot of good info and one can get lost and sidetracked in that maze. Appreciate it

05-22-2021, 08:12 PM	#5
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks Personally unless you are doing a fine point judging, I would use what you have if it works after adding lube. Finding rebuild-able shock is not easy esp ones that can be rebuilt and would be year correct. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

05-23-2021, 12:29 AM	#6
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There are poor quality reproductions out there. The ones I mention can not be refilled and have a ford script unlike the original Houdaille. For some reason, the repops with the phony Ford script are regularly represented as authentic and no argument on my part can convince the proud owner otherwise. Good Luck: Fred A

05-23-2021, 07:27 AM	#7
Conaway2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC Posts: 601	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks They do make a noticeable improvement in ride and handling. Another less pricey option is to have them rebuilt. John Holland currently has a set of mine for rebuilding. Good luck - JIm

05-23-2021, 08:48 AM	#8
kawagumby Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Hollister, CA Posts: 133	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks https://www.ebay.com/itm/28-29-30-31...-/150871510555 If you're not a purist, this is the way to go, IMO. I plan to do just that with my '31 when I get the time.

05-23-2021, 12:16 PM	#9
Dick M Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 477	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks John Holland is an expert on shock rebuilding. He is also very reasonable. I have a set of shocks John rebuilt 10 years ago and they are still in perfect working order. His telephone number is 330-483-3896. Rebuilding shocks can be a real bear. I do not advise you to tackle this on your own unless you are very mechanically inclined.

05-23-2021, 06:26 PM	#10
stewgee Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Locust Grove, OK Posts: 84	Re: 30A Roadster Shocks Really appreciate all the responses but I'm a little confused. These shocks came apart quite easy and seem to be in good shape. Just with no shock oil. All hardware is there (arms and dogbones). Isn't there a kit that I can buy to rebuild the shocks myself? Just asking [ATTACH]20210523_180548.jpg[/ATTACH]

05-24-2021, 04:16 AM	#13
shew01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Roanoke, VA USA Posts: 1,908	30A Roadster Shocks You might want to call Bratton’s. They usually have good pre-sales advice. They are great to work with. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by shew01; 05-24-2021 at 06:08 PM.

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